BRIDGE — short for Bridge Research and Innovation for Democratic Governance and Enhanced Peace — is an independent, non-profit think tank based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. BRIDGE is locally registered under the FDRE Civil Society Organization Proclamation No. 1113/2019.
Our work is centered on strengthening legislative institutions and promoting lasting peace in Ethiopia and the IGAD region. In addition, we are strategically positioned to advance evidence-based, policy-oriented knowledge on the sub-regional organization of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and salient regional policy issues, with a particular focus on the complex, interlinked domains of peace, governance, and development.
Guided by the belief that evidence-based ideas can shape stronger societies, BRIDGE works at the intersection of Parliaments, Policy, and Peace. We provide timely research and innovative analysis that inform decision-makers and drive meaningful governance reforms.
BRIDGE Research & Innovation aims to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of legislative institutions through evidence-based research and analysis, capacity building, facilitating public consultations and hearings, and by tracking and evaluating the performance of parliamentary committees and sessions to ensure transparency and accountability in the legislative process.
BRIDGE Research & Innovation collaborates with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), a crucial regional body promoting economic cooperation, peace, and security across the Horn of Africa. Our thematic focus is to conduct rigorous, evidence-based research that informs regional policy and practice, reinforced by specialized training programs and active monitoring of IGAD’s activities for knowledge dissemination and stakeholder engagement.
BRIDGE Research & Innovation was founded and registered in December 2024 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — operating as a non-profit civil society organization under the FDRE Civil Society Organization Proclamation No. 1113/2019.
The Horn of Africa lacks an adequate number of institutions dedicated to research on peace, governance, and development. BRIDGE was founded to help close that gap with evidence-based, policy-relevant analysis that informs decision-makers and strengthens democratic institutions.
BRIDGE focuses primarily on the activities of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the legislative institutions of the Horn of Africa — tracking parliamentary work, supporting standing committees, and amplifying their visibility to electorates and stakeholders.
BRIDGE operates as a non-profit, locally-registered organization under Ethiopia’s Civil Society Organization framework — independent of government, donor, or partisan affiliation. The institutional design centers on rigor, innovation, and trust as core values that guide every output, training, and partnership.
BRIDGE Research is guided by a clear vision of democratic governance, a research-anchored mission, three core values, and a defined set of institutional objectives that shape every output, training, and partnership.
To advance democratic governance and enhance peace through evidence-based research and innovative policy analysis.
To be a research hub, a trusted source of analysis serving as a reference point for diverse political constituencies on parliamentary affairs, and to advance evidence-based and policy-oriented knowledge on the sub-regional organization of IGAD and regional policy issues, with a particular focus on peace and development.
Rigor: Delivering high-quality, evidence-driven research. Innovation: Pioneering creative and adaptive solutions for governance and peace challenges. Trust: Upholding credibility through transparent and reliable analysis.
BRIDGE brings together in-house researchers, interns, an external advisory board, and a board of directors working across parliamentary affairs, IGAD studies, publications, and capacity building.
Director of BRIDGE Research & Innovation, leading the institution’s parliamentary research, IGAD studies, and policy engagement programs.
Oversees administration, finance, and operations at BRIDGE, ensuring smooth day-to-day running of research and capacity-building programs.
Senior researcher leading in-depth studies on parliamentary practice, governance, and the Horn of Africa policy landscape.
Researcher focused on parliamentary affairs, governance, and policy analysis across federal and regional legislative bodies.
Manages BRIDGE’s research program portfolio, coordinating projects on parliamentary affairs and IGAD studies.
Manages BRIDGE’s research program portfolio, coordinating projects on parliamentary affairs and IGAD studies.
Digital Research Specialist
MS in computer science
Non-resident research fellow contributing scholarship on governance and policy issues relevant to Ethiopia and the IGAD region.
Non-resident research fellow contributing analysis on parliamentary processes and regional governance.
Lecturer, Ambo University | PhD Candidate, Addis Ababa University School of Law, Non-resident research fellow supporting BRIDGE’s research on policy and governance in Ethiopia.
Non-Resident Research Fellow
Non-Resident Fellow
Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Bahir Dar University
Lecturer, Welayita Sodo University
Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Dire Dawa University
Lecturer, Jigjiga University
Lecturer, Ambo University
Intern supporting BRIDGE’s parliamentary research and IGAD sub-regional studies team.
Intern supporting research, data collection, and policy analysis across BRIDGE’s thematic programs.
Intern supporting research, data collection, and policy analysis across BRIDGE’s thematic programs.
Board Chair of BRIDGE, providing institutional leadership and oversight of strategic direction.
Board member contributing governance oversight and strategic guidance to BRIDGE.
Board member supporting BRIDGE’s institutional governance and partnerships.
Board member providing strategic oversight on BRIDGE’s programs and outreach.
Board member contributing expertise to BRIDGE’s institutional development and governance.
External advisor providing strategic guidance on BRIDGE’s research direction and institutional development.
International advisor with deep expertise in African studies, the Horn of Africa, and Ethiopian political affairs.
Professor and international scholar on parliamentary ethnography and democratic practice, advising BRIDGE on parliamentary research.
International scholar on parliamentary ethnography and democratic practice, advising BRIDGE on parliamentary research.
Current and past opportunities at BRIDGE. The Internship Board lists rolling intake positions; the Vacancies Board archives prior full-time and consultancy roles. Use the filters to view active, closed, or all listings.
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Find BRIDGE talks, panels, and public events on our YouTube channel, and follow us on social channels for shorter-form analysis and announcements.
Recordings of public dialogues, training sessions, and selected panel discussions hosted or featuring BRIDGE researchers.
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