The European Union renewed its commitment to supporting women and youth in rural and disaster-affected regions of Ethiopia with the launch of a new initiative in March.
The “EMPOWER: Empowering Futures for Youth and Women Beyond Agriculture” project, launched on 18th March in Addis Ababa, focuses on equipping women and youth with essential tools to thrive in the rural and disaster-affected regions of Afar, Tigray, and Oromia. Funded by the European Union, this project is implemented by People in Need (PIN), in collaboration with Alliance2015 partner Ayuda en Acción (AeA) and the Development Expertise Center (DEC).
European Union’s Commitment to Sustainable Development
The EU Sustainable Development Strategy recognises that poverty, inequalities, and exclusion are among the greatest challenges that need to be addressed in order to achieve inclusive and sustainable development. The objective is to enhance resilience of the population through inclusive skills development and decent job creation.
The project highlights the European Union’s dedication to advancing sustainable development and inclusion in Ethiopia. By improving education, financial access, and climate resilience, the initiative aligns with the EU’s overarching goal of fostering an equitable and prosperous world.
According to H.E. Sofie From-Emmesberger, Ambassador of the European Union to Ethiopia, “The European Union is supporting sustainable development in Ethiopia by partnering with local organisations and driving meaningful progress. The EMPOWER project will deliver education and skills, economic opportunities and environmental resilience and help women and youth become financially independent. Working closely with local, private and governmental stakeholders will enable the project to be close to the community. This way, we truly place the local populations at the heart of the initiative.”
It is the intention of Alliance2015 to build upon this commitment and ensure the EU keeps delivering on poverty reduction, addressing inequalities and achieving climate resilience of the Ethiopian population. For this reason, Alliance2015 members in Ethiopia have recently started engaging in the implementation of the Global Gateway, the EU investment strategy purported to offer economic opportunities through infrastructure for the green transition, digitalisation, transport and strengthened health, education and research.
Addressing Core Challenges in Ethiopia
Ethiopia faces ongoing challenges such as soil degradation, climate change, and high unemployment rates, particularly among women and youth. The EMPOWER project addresses these challenges by offering technical skill development, sustainable economic opportunities, and environmental resilience. It is designed to provide comprehensive solutions, ensuring food and nutrition security and enhancing livelihood resilience in local communities.
Key Focus Areas:
- Economic Empowerment: The project focuses on delivering Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) across five key agricultural value chains. It helps women and youth access to credit by financial institutions and market opportunities, promoting their financial independence.
- Climate Resilience: The initiative introduces inclusive, environmental-friendly job opportunities across 15 woredas and 2 town administrations in Afar, Tigray, and Oromia, supporting sustainable development and environmental stability.
- Stakeholder Engagement: By engaging local, private, and governmental stakeholders, the project supports community-led initiatives that enhance women’s economic empowerment for lasting and widespread impact.
Uniting Key Stakeholders
The launch event has brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including high-level representatives from the Ethiopian federal ministries, leading private companies such as EthioChicken, Promasidor, and Dedessa Agro Industry, and prominent international figures. Participants included the European Union Delegation, the Czech Development Agency, and representatives from various embassies and international organisations, all demonstrating a shared vision for growth and empowerment in Ethiopia.
Implementing a Future of Opportunity
Since 2003, People in Need has been supporting Ethiopian communities facing various challenges. Together with Ayuda en Acción and the Development Expertise Center, the EMPOWER project aims to achieve sustainable development and support human dignity. These organisations, with their extensive experience, collaborate to implement transformative changes that empower women and youth to lead their communities with confidence and resilience.
The project launch marked a pivotal moment in Ethiopia’s development journey, emphasising the European Union’s significant role in funding and supporting this vital initiative.
