Partner

People are at the heart of all our work. They are the people in the reforestation areas who work hard to ensure the success of our projects, but also the people and organizations who make the project possible in the first place with their donations.

To ensure that the project of the Green Ethiopia Foundation, especially the reforestation projects, are successful in the long term, it is necessary to achieve the targeted objectives. However, it is at least equally important that the necessary natural, social and organizational basis for subsequent projects are established at the same time, for instance water projects in groups or the involvement of schools. In order to achieve both results and necessary basis, we rely on a large participation of beneficiaries, experts from agricultural offices and other offices, and local opinion leaders such as schools, health centers or churches. Swiss and European donors must also attach the same importance to the social and natural aspects of reforestation.

Provided that the projects provide support to the partners, we also demand a substantial contribution from all of them:

• Farmer’s groups must accept to collaborate in the preparation, the plantation and the protection of the forest
• Women’s group must work for the projects, be responsible for subsequent projects such as vegetable cultivation with water pumps and save part of their income to cover running costs
• Youth groups are responsible for the protection of the forests and are allowed to harvest the “fruits of the forest” but have to cover running costs themselves
• Local agricultural offices have to provide experts and thus facilitate knowledge exchange
• Other offices such as offices responsible for water, women’s promotion or finance, must support projects with appropriate experts, for example by advising and assisting women’s and youth groups
• Responsible persons of schools, churches and public places are welcome if they agree to plant their areas with us and therefore convey the importance of trees for people and the environment to young people and the general public
• We also work in collaboration with the University of Ambo in one project and facilitate applied research as well as bachelor, master and doctor theses on reforestation, forests and combination of forestry with agriculture
• Regarding the reforestation, there are various conditions and therefore appropriate approaches. The foundation Green Ethiopia want to reforest, together with the population, the hill or the mountain behind their village

Farmer groups

Farmers, traditionally structured in groups or cooperatives, are significantly participating to our reforestation projects. After some years, the forest offers them great benefits that improve their life and their food situation. They obtain new perspectives for a decent life in their ancestral territories.

Women groups

In our project, women – mainly women group in tree nurseries – are working exceptionally. Without healthy and strong plants, reforestation is not possible. The women are therefore a mainstay in our projects, and also in the Ethiopian society.

Youth groups

It is difficult for landless youth and young adults to imagine their future. They often work as day labourer or are « strolling » around villages and cities because there are bored. We want to offer a future to such youth through the use of water, natural resources and biodiversity.

Sponsors

In addition to a loyal circle of long-term donors, partnerships with institutional sponsors make a significant contribution to the realization of our projects. Our donors can be sure that we are using the funds entrusted to us very carefully and sustainably.