A joint visiting team comprising representatives from NORAD, the Royal Norwegian Embassy, the Development Fund of Norway, and the Ethio Wetlands and Natural Resources Association (EWNRA) conducted a field visit to rural villages in Southwest Ethiopia. The delegation engaged with local communities and observed various project activities in Masha District.
During the visit, the team met with community members and marketing cooperative leaders, discussing key aspects of the ongoing REDD+ Participatory Forest Management (PFM) project. In Uwa Kebele, the “Opechi Forest” PFM group warmly welcomed the visitors and shared insights into their forest management efforts.
Community-Led Forest Protection and Achievements
Mr. Shawono Sharo, Chairman of the Masha Woreda Forest Management Association (FMA), provided a comprehensive overview of the forest management efforts in Masha Woreda, highlighting the “Opechi” Forest Management Group (FMG). According to Mr. Shawono, the district’s forests span 16,742 hectares and are managed by 4,637 FMG members, including 1,761 women. Remarkably, 55 out of 56 FMGs have obtained official certification for their forest ownership, empowering them to legally defend their rights and advocate for sustainable forest administration.
One notable success story involved a legal victory where the FMG secured compensation of over 3,000,000 Ethiopian Birr from the government for forest damage caused by road construction. The group remains vigilant against illegal encroachments under the guise of investment and other activities threatening the forest ecosystem.
The visiting team commended the dedication and commitment of the community in safeguarding their forest resources. They were particularly impressed by the active participation of women, as demonstrated by the Opechi FMG, where women constitute 50% of the members. The discussions also addressed the challenges faced by the FMGs, with the visitors expressing their commitment to supporting the community’s conservation efforts.
Empowering Women Through Sustainable Livelihoods
The delegation also visited an exemplary beekeeping enterprise owned by Asnakech, a pioneering woman in the community. Supported by the project through a revolving loan fund, she has expanded her apiary to more than 40 modern beehives. Asnakech shared her success story, explaining how the project has helped her achieve economic independence. Last season, she harvested and sold over 700 kilograms of honey. She expressed her desire for additional support to further enhance her productivity and expand her business.
Strengthening Cooperatives for Sustainable Economic Growth
The visitors continued their journey to Degele in Masha District, where they observed the progress of the “Ajewodi Forest Products Marketing Cooperative.” Established in 2013 with an initial capital of 100,000 Ethiopian Birr and 27 founding members (including 13 women), the cooperative has grown significantly under the REDD+ PFM project, funded by NORAD through the Development Fund of Norway and implemented by EWNRA.
Today, the cooperative has expanded to 75 members, 21 of whom are women. In the past production year, the cooperative successfully collected and sold nearly 5,000 kilograms of honey to an export company, Forest Food, generating a profit of 480,000 Ethiopian Birr. The visiting team held discussions with cooperative leaders on ways to further strengthen their operations. The leaders, who work on a voluntary basis, were recognized and appreciated for their dedication.
Delegation Members and Key Stakeholders
The delegation included:
- Inger Brodal, Senior Advisor, NORAD (Oslo)
- Live Jacob Sydness, Climate Counselor, Royal Norwegian Embassy, Addis Ababa
- Bjarte Birkeland, Country Director, Development Fund of Norway (DF), Ethiopia
- Sisay Kassahun, Country Program Coordinator, DF Ethiopia
- Tesfaye Gonfa, Senior PFM and REDD+ Advisor, DF Ethiopia
- Afework Hailu, Executive Director, EWNRA
- Ahmid Said, Forest Program Coordinator, EWNRA
- Girma Ayalew, Southwest Ethiopia Projects Coordinator, EWNRA and other officers from EWNRA
The visit concluded on a positive note, with the delegation reaffirming their commitment to supporting the community’s efforts in forest conservation and sustainable development.
