Forest restoration and sustainable livelihoods

The project was initiated to address the intertwined challenges of deforestation, environmental degradation, and livelihood insecurity in rural Ethiopia. Implemented over three years, it aimed to restore 231 acres of degraded forest land and improve the socio-economic well-being of 1,000 individuals. Over the course of three years, the project made impressive strides in restoring degraded landscapes, building resilient livelihoods, and empowering communities through training, enterprise, and environmental stewardship. Despite initial logistical challenges, implementation remained community-led and results-oriented. Agroforestry activities were implemented progressively, with 201 households receiving training and support for integrating fruit-bearing trees into existing farming systems.  A youth cooperative enterprise involving 12 members was established for beekeeping, and a community nursery cooperative with over 30 members was set up for nursery development and youth training. Soil and water conservation activities included the construction of soil bunds, stone-faced soil bunds, micro basins, and grass strips. In 2023, VITA introduced an innovative results-based payment scheme, providing direct income to farmers based on tree survival rates across communal and private woodlots. By the end of the project 28,000 trees were successfully planted and growing. Overall, the project has delivered significant impact in terms of environmental restoration, livelihood improvement, and community empowerment, with clear potential for scale and replication.

Founded in 1989, VITA is an Irish International Development NGO. Its mission is to tackle household food insecurity and build climate-smart sustainable livelihoods through community-led projects

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