On Saturday 16 November 2024, almost 7 000 Ethiopians and international community members gathered at the Diplomatic Charity Bazaar to celebrate diversity and to fundraise towards local philanthropic actions in Ethiopia.

The lively stand of the European Union enhanced EU visibility, allowed for a fun team building and collected 122 500 ETB (almost €1 000).

Showcase

The EU Delegation to the African Union organised a stand the Diplomatic Charity Bazaar that ensured EU visibility to almost 7.000 visitors. Organised by the Diplomatic Spouses Group Ethiopia, the Diplomatic Charity Bazaar filled the UNECA parking lot in Addis Ababa with culture, dance, food and showcasing more than 60 countries, international entities and local NGOs.

Within its public diplomacy objectives and in coordination with the EU delegation to Ethiopia and the EU MS based in Addis, the EU-branded stand offered different activities such as a photo booth printing a souvenir picture with the EU handles, EU-branded popcorn cones and cupcakes, blue and stars face painting, an EU-authors books fair and fun games that led to conversations about the EU and its values.

Philanthropic

The main objective of this annual event is to fundraise to support local philanthropic actions in Ethiopia. Counting with more than 60 stands from embassies and organisations participating, it has also become a major event to celebrate diversity and the different cultures present in Addis Ababa.

Besides being a fun team building with the active participation of expats, including both EU Ambassadors, local colleagues and family members, the EU stand raised 122 500 ETB (almost €1 000). The EU was not present in this event since 2019 and its return was positively received by partners and visitors.

Funds

The funds collected by all the stands will be directed to have impact in the local community via the project matrix implemented by the Diplomatic Spouses Group of Ethiopia (DSGE), focusing on the most vulnerable, which include women, children and people with disabilities. This allows, for example, to support jobs-generating activities, to address water shortages, to upgrade health and educational infrastructures, to create food producing gardens at schools and to provide specialized equipment to people with disabilities.