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Restoring the Central Rift Valley

This is a continuation of our work in the Central Rift Valley, which began with our "supporting ecosystems and communities" project in Dugda-Meki. 

For this project, we are partnering with Ethiopian organisation, the Vision of Community Development Association (VoCDA). Together with their own partners and project stakeholders, VoCDA will work to decrease dependency and pressure on the natural resources and enhance sustainable livelihoods for local communities.

Learn about our other project in the Oromia region - supporting ecosystems and communities in Dugda-Meki

Why is this project needed?

In Ethiopia’s Central Rift Valley, communities rely on the land and forests for food and income. But over 90,000 hectares of forests are being cut down across Ethiopia every year. To make matters worse, around two billion tonnes of fertile soil is lost in the country each year. 

As a result, huge areas of land are no longer able to support plant life, and farming is becoming impossible. Eroded soil then flows down the Meki River into the nearby Lake Ziway, causing it to dry up as it fills with silt. 

Our aims

The project will establish 7 different enterprise types, to grow the income of 350 people and their households.  

  • Moringa soap producers
  • Climate smart agriculture enterprises - 20 households will be supported with seeds for this purpose  
  • 5 modern beekeeping enterprises

The project also aims to support the restoration of 148 hectares of degraded lands and increase vegetation by the creation of 5 enclosure area groups. 

Furthermore, 770 people will be supported to reduce pressure on forest resources through the adoption of fuel-saving stoves, and to improve community nutrition through the provision of fruit trees, training in land management and fodder production.  

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    different enterprise types will be established

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    people will be supported to tackle deforestation

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    hectares of land of degraded land will be restored

OUR PARTNERS & FUNDERS

This project has been made possible with funding from IDH - the Sustainable Trade Initiative, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and our project partners VoCDA.