Why was your charity set up?
Éascú is dedicated to promoting equality and inclusion for sexual, gender, and ethnic minorities in Ethiopia and sub-Saharan Africa. We focus on advocacy for policy reform to eliminate discriminatory laws, engage the community through awareness campaigns to challenge stereotypes, and create sustainable livelihoods through entrepreneurship and job creation. Additionally, we aim to improve access to education for ethnic minorities, empowering them with knowledge and skills. To further our mission, we support LGBTQI+ creatives in expressing their experiences and promoting diversity through the arts. By partnering with local NGOs and community groups, we implement effective initiatives that drive meaningful change.
Who does your charity help?
Éascú is committed to supporting sexual, gender, and ethnic minorities in Ethiopia and sub-Saharan Africa. Our primary focus is on individuals who experience discrimination and marginalization due to their sexual orientation, gender identity, or ethnic background. This includes LGBTQ+ individual, and various ethnic groups who oten face significant barriers to their rights and opportunities.
We aim to advocate for policy reforms that protect these communities and prompt a more inclusive legal framework. Our efforts also include community awareness campaigns designed to challenge negative stereotypes and foster greater acceptance within the community and the larger society. We will be mindful of the environment we operate in as hate and stigma are a concern.
In addition to advocacy, we empower these individuals through educational and sustainable livelihood opportunities, equipping them with the skills necessary for personal and professional growth. Furthermore, we support LGBTQI+ creatives by providing platforms for artistic expression, which not only promotes diversity but also helps build a supportive community. Through these comprehensive efforts, Éascú strives to create a more equitable society for all marginalized groups.
What was done?
Due to the ongoing civil and political unrest in Ethiopia, Éascú has faced significant challenges in implementing our planned outputs. Marginalized communities, particularly LGBTQ+ individual, have been disproportionately affected by human rights violations. Over the past two years, there has been an alarming rise in digital targeting, including public outings and doxxing, leading to severe consequences such as mob justice, forced confessions, extortion, and blackmail.
The safety of LGBTQ+ individuals remains a paramount concern. Reports of arbitrary detention and violence against this community, including inhumane treatment by law enforcement, have created an environment where we must proceed with caution. As a result, we have refrained from executing an environment where we must proceed with caution. As a result, we have
refrained from executing initiatives that could potentially expose these individuals to further risks.
Additionally, our efforts to work with ethnic minorities have been hindered by the ongoing security following the Tigray war. The instability has made it difficult to engage effectively with these communities, as their safety remains a critical issue.
In light of these challenges, our focus has been on assessing the situation and finding ways to provide support without compromising the safety of individuals we aim to help. Our commitment to advocacy and community empowerment continues, but we recognize the need for a strategic and cautious approach in such a volatile context.
What was achieved?
During this reporting period and since its inception, Éascú has not spent any money due to political unrest in Ethiopia. Our outcomes have focused on awareness and advocacy without financial investments.
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Increased awareness: We have raised awareness abut the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individual and ethnic minorities. Our communications have highlighted their urgent human rights issues.
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Community support: We have engaged with local communities to provide a space for dialogue, helping individuals connect and share their experiences, even if our efforts are not at a large scale.
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Advocacy efforts: Our advocacy work has brought more visibility to the discrimination these communities face, ensuring their voices are heard.
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Building partnerships: We have started to form relationships with other organizations working on human rights, which will help strengthen our efforts in the future
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Preparation for future action: Although we haven’t spent funds, we are developing plans and resources to act when it is safe to do so
In summary, while our work hasn’t involved expenditures, we remain committed to supporting marginalized communities and preparing for future opportunities.
What difference was made?
Although Éascú has not spent any money and our actions have been limited, we have still made some impact:
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Raised awareness: We have increased awareness about the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals and ethnic minorities in Ethiopia
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Community connection: Engaging with local communities has helped individual feel more connected and supported, even at a small scale
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Visibility of issues: Our efforts have brought attention to human rights violations affecting marginalized groups, which can encourage more discussions
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Prepared for future actions: We are building relationships with other organizations to strengthen our efforts when conditions improve
In summary, while our activities have not been extensive, they have contributed to awareness and community support, laying the groundwork for future initiatives.
Trustees, signed on May 7, 2025: