The purpose of this thesis is to examine the role of civil society organizations in povertyrnalleviation, change and development with emphasis on Iddirs on their own and inrncollaboration with Governmental and Non-Governmental organizations. In this thesisrnIddir as civil association is considered as one of indigenous civil society organizations inrnEthiopia. To meet its purpose the research has employed methods such as in-depthrninterviews, participant observation, group discussions, archival and document reviewrnand analysis of available relevant materials.rnThe thesis has emphasized the additional roles and functions of Iddirs as incipient labourrnunions, political platforms, non-profit making insurance organizations, change andrndevelopment agents for socio-politico-cultural and economic life of the people, Iddir asrnentry points to undertake poverty alleviation and business activities, and recently as anrninstrument to fight hazards of HIV/AIDS and to support orphans of deceased members.rnRegarding the internal dynamisms and features of Iddirs, members contributions becomernpermanent and increased rapidly. Leadership and bylaws have been diversified. All inrnall Iddirs acquired features of modern associations. Hitherto ten types of Iddirs werernidentified and findings of this thesis indicated seven more specialized and diversifiedrnfunctions and types of newly emerging minor Iddirs. Also types of Iddirs that were forcedrnto disappear during Imperial and Derg regimes, namely, region, ethnic and religionrnbased Iddirs were found to have re-emerged. Besides, variables for classification of thernearlier identified Iddirs have been developed by adding three equally important definingrnvariables in one Iddir. Furthermore in cases of Akaki and Nazreth two types of Iddirs,rnnamely, Hawilt Iddirs and Aslekash Iddir died out. As far as Iddir-state relations in thernthree consecutive regimes, is concerned evidences indicated that there were both commonrnand distinct features among the three regimes.rnRegarding poverty alleviation and development efforts, Iddirs participated in buildingrnschools, clinics, water pipelines, internal road construction and provision of other socialrnfacilities and services and the like. Both joint efforts of Iddir-state, and Iddir-NGOs havernserious limitations. Generally the so called co-operations or collaborations seems to bernco-optations. Also, Iddirs own efforts were severely hampered due to their limitedrncapacity and inherent limitations.rnIn the face of the limited capacity of Iddirs, their umbrella organizations can be a viablerncoping mechanism to undertake competitive business to benefit Iddirs and their members,rnprovided favourable policy is formulated by the government and if other stakeholdersrncontribute their share. Also there are non-profit oriented efforts such as Limat AkefrnMahiber of Kolfe Iddirs. To achieve better results at the levels of individual Iddirs andrnumbrella organizations their independence