Integrated Livelihood Security & Biodiversity Protection Project, Oromia Region, and Nutrition Sensitive Agriculture, Kindo Koyisha District
The project aims to improve the livelihoods of the regions' people by fostering the protection of biodiversity, promoting natural resource management and sustainable land-use techniques, and developing the communities' capacity to diversify their means of income.
Overview of the project
The project aims to improve and diversify the livelihoods of 1,165 poor households in the three rural and two semi-urban kebele via protection of natural resources and biodiversity, promotion of sustainable agricultural techniques, and the advancement of ecotourism.
The project expected to achieve the following outcomes:
- Increased incomes for 300 households & 50 women participating in agricultural activities (vegetable, fruit, and poultry production),
- Increased incomes for 80 women targeted for participation in income generating activities, and
- Diversification of income sources for 300 target households participating in ecotourism and natural resource management activities.
The project focused on integrating livelihood security and biodiversity protection in the Arsi Mountains National Park and Dhera Block Dodota woreda in the Arsi Zone, Oromia Region and on nutrition sensitive agriculture in the Kindo Koyisha district, Wolayita zone. Key activities included the development of community bylaws for participatory natural resource management, seedling production, energy saving cookstove production, establishing environmental clubs in schools, agroforestry, small ruminant fattening and poultry production, and promotion of community based tourism.
The overall objective of the project is to improve the livelihoods of the people in Dodota woreda by fostering the protection of biodiversity, promoting natural resource management and sustainable land-use techniques, and aiding in the diversification of the communities' means of income.
implementation
January 2016 to December 2017 & April 2018 to December 2019
- 300 households & 50 women participating in agricultural activities (vegetable, fruit and poultry production) have increased their income from ETB 5,000 to ETB 6,250.
- 80 women targeted for participation in income generating activities have increased their earnings from ETB 4,750 to ETB 5,930.
- 300 target households have diversified their income sources by participating in ecotourism and natural resource management activities.
- Solar panels were installed in three schools, and TV and DVD were provided to enhance evening study, provide environmental education, and build awareness.
- 10 environmental clubs with 1,200 members were established in schools.
- Increased participation of women in the districts’ socio-economic development.
- Reduction in harmful traditional practices and gender-based violence.
- Improved awareness of the importance of natural resource management and climate change adaptation.
- Improved links between academia/research-extension and farmers.
The project was funded by calls for proposals and by competing for resources with national/international NGO, and through recommendations of donors/UN agencies. Accessing resources for a small NGO like ASDA has become difficult, as it must compete with those with a larger resource reach. Therefore, while ASDA has many innovative and best practices to be scaled-up, it is struggling for survival.
organisation
Established in 2003 by a group of rural development professionals, the Association for Sustainable Development Alternatives (ASDA) is a national NGO governed by a General Assembly. ASDA re-registered with the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Agency for Civil Society as per the new CSA policy, under certificate No. 0247.
Since its establishment, ASDA has implemented and achieved commendable results in natural resource management, climate change adaptation, biodiversity conservation and tourism promotion, food and nutrition security, livelihood diversification, and women and youth economic empowerment. ASDA took second place in the 2017 National Good Practice Competition organised by CCRDA and received a trophy, medal and certificate of appreciation from His Excellency the President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
Vision
ASDA would like to see a poverty-free Ethiopia where food and livelihoods are secure and rural communities and urban poor are self-reliant.
Mission
ASDA’s mission is to support the efforts of the rural poor to attain household food and livelihood security, while protecting the environment by promoting economically sound, socially just, and environmentally friendly technologies and practices.
Implementation Approach:
- Working in partnership for inter-agency collaboration and synergy building,
- Community-led programmes,
- Integrated solutions (whole system effort), coordination, collaboration & public-private partnership,
- Institutional strengthening through capacity building training and advisory services, and technical and leadership capacity development.
Programme Focus
- Climate sensitive agriculture, food and nutrition security, and livelihood improvement
- Research/academia-extension and farmer linkage
- Participatory natural resource management, climate change adaptation, and resilience building
- Livelihood diversification
- Women and youth economic empowerment (fuel-efficient cookstove production, seedling production, poultry & small ruminant fattening)
- HIV/AIDS prevention, community coalition for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) care and support, mainstreaming child protection, gender and environment
- Promoting social accountability and transparency
- Promoting nutrition sensitive agriculture
- Promoting urban agriculture
- Promoting university and school environmental and nutrition clubs
The project was fully implemented by ASDA, with signatory government body monitoring progress via narrative and financial reports.