Ethiopia

 

Since 2023, PfefferminzGreen has been partnering with the local Ethiopian NGO Bisrat, working to empower communities in the region surrounding the city of Dessie in northern Ethiopia. Bisrat works closely with these communities to empower women and support the community to implement their own ideas for a better future.

This partnership builds on PfefferminzGreen’s long-standing commitment in the Dessie region. From 2009–2023, PfefferminzGreen partnered with the Ethiopian NGO Nigat Community Development Association (NCDA), founded by a group of locals striving to empower communities and laying important foundations for community-based development and empowerment.

What makes our local partners unique and sustainable is the way in which they support and empower local communities by listening to their own visions for improvement. All of the projects stem from and are implemented by these communities; the role of the local partner is simply to supervise and monitor their success. Project ideas are discussed in group settings with various stakeholders from the community. In this way, all of the projects are planned and realized using a holistic African approach, cooperating with the young and the elderly, men and women, and traditional and religious leaders.

Following a bottom-up approach, community members together ensure that the numerous projects in the Dessie region run smoothly and gradually become completely independent. Emphasis is put on sustainable projects that are able to operate using revolving funds and can eventually support themselves.

Promoting education and the creation of income-generating activities is key – and essential to long-term success. The overall aim is to empower women and young people and in so doing, empower communities throughout the region.