Society Shares Experience on Domestic Financial Resource Mobilization
The Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) shared its experience and ongoing efforts in Domestic Financial Resource Mobilization (DFRM) during the Africa National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ Africa Governance Group (AGG) Consultative Meeting of Presidents and Secretaries General, held in Nairobi, Kenya, from 3 to 5 August 2026.
The consultative meeting brought together leaders of African National Societies, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and partner organizations to reflect on the current state of the African Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and identify a shared path toward stronger, more self-reliant and locally rooted humanitarian action.
A major focus of the meeting was how National Societies can strengthen domestic financing and reduce excessive dependence on traditional international donors, particularly amid increasing funding uncertainty and declining traditional donor support.
As part of the discussions, ERCS presented its experience in building a more resilient and sustainable financial model through institutional reform, investment and digital transformation.
Mr. Abera Lulessa, Secretary General of the Ethiopian Red Cross Society, presented the progress made following the Cairo Consultative Meeting and outlined the Society’s next steps in strengthening domestic financial resource mobilization.
The ERCS experience highlighted a range of initiatives, including: strengthening dedicated resource mobilization structures; developing strategic public-private partnerships; digitally mapping institutional assets and resources; expanding membership programmes; commercializing training services; developing income-generating businesses; and expanding mobile and digital contribution platforms.
The experience demonstrated that sustainable domestic financing requires more than fundraising campaigns. It depends on strong leadership ownership, clear strategic direction, institutional credibility and long-term partnerships.
The meeting emphasized that domestic resource mobilization should not be viewed solely as the responsibility of a fundraising department. Rather, it is a leadership and institutional responsibility that requires sound governance, strategic planning, integrity and public confidence.
Participants identified accountability and trustworthiness, institutional integrity, transformative leadership, professional governance and compliance with legal, financial and governance requirements as key foundations for sustainable financing.
Public trust was repeatedly highlighted as one of the most valuable assets of a National Society. Governments, businesses, donors and communities are more likely to provide resources to institutions that demonstrate transparency, responsible financial management, effective use of resources, reliable reporting, measurable humanitarian results and accountability.
The meeting encouraged National Societies to strengthen relationships with national and local governments, private-sector institutions, development banks, philanthropic organizations, high-net-worth individuals, communities, members and volunteers as part of their efforts to diversify domestic sources of financing.
Participants also proposed stronger mechanisms for sharing knowledge and expertise among African National Societies, including a continental skills-sharing platform, a database of National Society assets and expertise, and peer support between stronger and developing National Societies.
The Nairobi consultative meeting underscored that Domestic Financial Resource Mobilization is not merely an alternative source of funding. It is an important foundation for institutional independence, sustainability and self-reliance.
In this regard, the experience shared by the Ethiopian Red Cross Society contributes to the ongoing continental dialogue and peer learning on how African National Societies can strengthen their financial resilience and sustain their humanitarian mandate through locally driven and diversified resource mobilization approaches.
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