Ethiopia

Ethiopia’s Afromontane forests contain a great degree of plant diversity and host rare and endangered plant and animal species. These forests also provide resources and jobs for the communities living in and around them. Agriculture is the most important sector of the Ethiopian economy, supporting 85 percent of the population. Ninety-five percent of the country’s agricultural output is produced by smallholder farmers, and about half of these farmers are women.

While agriculture is central to the Ethiopian economy, agricultural expansion also threatens the rich biodiversity and ecosystem services of the Afromontane forests. Thankfully, local forest management cooperatives and community groups are working to ensure that agricultural development aligns with conservation agendas as well. Our grantmaking supports these groups, especially those led by women and young people, as they carry out their plans for thriving local forests and successful local economies focused on smallholder farmers. This work specifically aligns with Ethiopian national government priorities related to smallholder and female farmers and job creation, among others.

The Agriculture, Livelihoods, and Conservation strategy in Ethiopia also supports solutions to improve quality reproductive health information and services available to women and young people, in alignment with the Foundation’s Reproductive Health program goals.