Securing Livelihoods

Empowered residents in rural areas. The focus is on environmental and agricultural protection as well as climate change mitigation while taking gender relations into account. The current project phase is being extended to five other kebeles (communities) in the Munessa district.

Directly involved: 37.500 people, including 17.841 women, men, unemployed young people and 2.500 people with disabilities. Indirectly involved: 67.450 people (33.051 women) through observation, exchange of experience and ideas.

Over 90 % of the population of Ethiopian highlands, in the Munessa district, live from agriculture. Population growth and climate change are leading to the degradation of natural resources, reduced productivity and ultimately to food insecurity. 70% of the water points have dried up and water can only be supplied in insufficient quantity and quality. 50 years ago, 87 % of the highlands were forested, but within 30 years, forest cover has declined to 8 %. Women, girls and children are the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change and traditionally have clear roles ascribed to them. This also applies to management and the associated handling of natural resources. Women take on activities such as collecting wood and water and practise subsistence farming. They therefore have unique knowledge of natural resources. Sustainable resource management must involve men and women equally in order to utilise this knowledge. Also, women need to be involved women in decision-making processes.

• In order to better adapt to the effects of climate change, knowledge about climate resilience is passed on to the community and self-reliance is promoted
• As part of this, 2,500 rural communities are gaining access to drinkable water
• In order to increase forest cover, 2 million seedlings are being grown, climate-resilient agriculture is being practised by 200 farmers and training courses on growing seedlings are being held for 2,000 farmers
• Energy-saving ovens and solar energy systems are being installed and demonstrated
• Training in vegetable growing, entrepreneurship and crafts is intended to help increase women's incomes
• To promote gender equality, women are actively involved in the decision-making process on climate issues and local gender activists are campaigning for gender-equitable resource management
• By building a network with local, regional and international governmental and non-governmental organisations, the challenges are being tackled by joining forces