Sustainable Shea: Supporting Communities, Ecosystems and Livelihoods
This new project is the first Tree Aid project being implemented in the Gambella region of West Ethiopia. Building Tree Aid’s experience in the Western part of Africa (in Ghana and Burkina Faso) the project aims to grow shea and other indigenous trees in Gambella and encourage the communities, especially women, to improve their household incomes through selling shea tree products.
Forests in the Gambella Regional State are home to a high number of shea trees, classified as a vulnerable species. Shea nuts are nutritious and have the potential to support dietary diversity, as well as great economic potential due to the demand for shea butter and oil.
Why is this project needed?
The country’s forests, which provide crucial non-timber forest products (NTFPs) like nuts and seeds, are increasingly threatened by the climate crisis. Roughly 77% of the population, particularly rural families, rely on these resources as a sustainable income source. However, as climate impacts worsen, the availability of NTFPs is diminishing, placing both ecosystems and community livelihoods at serious risk.
Our aims
This project will sustainably manage 16,700 hectares and restore nearly 3,000 hectares of degraded forest through tree planting and by building the capacity of local authorities and communities to lead community forest management schemes.
This locally-led project will also equip community members with the right skills to sustainably harvest and sell non-timber forest products, such as shea butter and oil, creating new income opportunities.
Our funders
