What is the project about?

The Government of Ethiopia has a strong commitment and recogniition of the importance of teh forest sector. Strengthening the instituitionl capacity of teh Ministry of Environment and Forestry to implement sustainable forest management is critically important. 

UNDP’s Forest Sector Development program supports sustainable development of the forest sector for the achievement of climate resilient green economy that Ethiopia aspires to achieve by 2025. This program contributes to the reduction of poverty by ensuring the forest sector sustainably improves the livelihood  of the poor while at the same time restoring the environment.

This program targets to enhance the cpacity of the forest sector to fulfill its mandate to increase forest coverage that boosts carbon sequestration and other environmental services as well as the promotion of sustainable supply of wood and wood products. 

Promotion of stakeholders engagemenet in forest conservation and development including the private sector and enhancement of the forest development policies, strategies and interventions lead by innovation. 

What have we accomplished so far?

• The program conducted feasibility study on local biophysical attributes of species selection for plantation and rehabilitation of selected sites
• The capacity building of the program helped to strengthen data base management for the implementation of the program through purchasing of IT equipment at various levels. Tractors and vehicles were bought to facilitate the program activities at the community level. Various workshops and trainings were provided for 2,182 participants on finance and procurement, Geographic Information System (GIS) and plantation management.
• Awareness creation activities were conducted for more than 3,674 community members. This has helped to mobilise communities and engage them in implementation of the program activities such as watering, weeding, hoeing, disease prevention, pest prevention and seedling transportation.
• The program is able to cover a total of 2870 hectares of land with short rotation plantation where 1,182 in Amhara, 1017 in Tigray and 671 in SNNPR.
• The program ensures its sustainability by creating jobs and alternative livelihood options.  A total of 2,840 people benefitted from alternative livelihood options and 26,724 temporary jobs were created. These include but not limited to beekeeping, fruit farming, animal husbandry and the use of alternative energy.