In the Gewata woreda of Ethiopia’s Kaffa zone, home to some of the country’s last remaining biodiversity-rich forests, Gadise and Takele, two young people have found their calling   as environmental guardians.  Here, they are transforming their passion into forest and biodiversity conservation while building meaningful careers.

Ethiopia’s forests are biodiversity hotspots, sheltering endemic species and providing critical ecosystem services. Yet, they face immense pressure from agricultural expansion, unsustainable logging, and population growth. Conserving these forests is not only vital for climate resilience and global biodiversity but also for sustaining local livelihoods. For communities like those in Kaffa, forests are life; they provide food, fuel, and income. However, dependence on forest resources often leads to degradation, creating a vicious cycle of poverty and environmental loss. 

Shuune Wodo PFM members

The Conservation and Sustainable Management of Forested Landscape (CSMFL) project, funded by the Embassy of Sweden (Sida) and implemented by GGGI Ethiopia with partners ECFF and iDE, is breaking this cycle. By aligning with GGGI’s strategic priorities on climate resilience, green jobs, and sustainable landscapes, and Sida’s targets for inclusive economic development and gender equality, the project empowers communities to protect biodiversity while improving livelihoods. 

Gadise Tajaba and Takele Argaw are two of the 24 members of a Participatory Forest Management (PFM) group called Shuune Wodo, established by the CSMFL project. Recognizing the area’s unemployed youth, the project engaged them in forest and biodiversity conservation by providing essential support, seeds for nurseries, training in nursery management and grafting, portable solar water pumps, and beehive boxes. 

“To survive, we used to damage the forest by logging for construction, furniture, and firewood,” Takele recalls. “Now, our priority is protecting the forest. We’re growing coffee and fruit seedlings like avocado, mango, and papaya. Some are also involved in beekeeping and animal fattening. This was made possible thanks to the project’s support.” 

Gadise and Takele briefing visitors

This shift is transformative. Ethiopia’s biodiversity conservation efforts often struggle due to limited resources, competing land uses, and lack of community incentives. By creating green jobs for youth, the project addresses unemployment while reducing pressure on forests. Takele emphasizes, “We are more focused on conserving the forest than just the profit because we now understand how this forest benefits Ethiopia and the world. We’ve changed ourselves. This opportunity has given us a purpose, we are now agents of change, not just project participants.” 

For Gadise and other women, the project offers a dual benefit, income generation and empowerment. 

“Our group of 24 members, 12 men and 12 women, goes beyond income generation. We are actively empowering women and raising community awareness about conservation,” Gadise explains. 

Joint monitoring visit by Sida, GGGI and iDE team

The results speak volumes. The group’s first sale of seedlings earned 20,000 Birr, and they collectively saved 85,000 Birr, with seedlings worth 100,000 Birr in their nursery. They’ve also established a lending system to start small businesses. Takele invested in sheep fattening, while others plan ventures in cattle fattening and small-scale trading. 

Variety of tree seedlings in the nursery site

Looking ahead, the group aims to scale up production and savings, creating more opportunities for youth and women. 

“I am determined to give my son a better future than I had because I have the opportunity now thanks to this project,” Takele concludes.

The CSMFL project demonstrates how biodiversity conservation can drive inclusive economic growth. By linking forest protection with livelihood improvement, it tackles two pressing challenges in Ethiopia: environmental degradation and youth unemployment. It also advances global goals, climate resilience, gender equality, and sustainable development, making it a model for integrated solutions. 

About the CSMFL Project:
Implemented in Oromia and Southwest Ethiopia, the project is funded by the Embassy of Sweden and led by GGGI Ethiopia in partnership with ECFF and iDE. It aligns with Sweden’s global development cooperation strategy on sustainable economic development (2022–26) and GGGI’s mission to promote green growth. To date, the project has benefited over 50,000 people, with women accounting for 40% of beneficiaries, while safeguarding Ethiopia’s biodiversity-rich forests for future generations. 

Read more about the project here: Conservation and Sustainable Management of Forested Landscapes (CSMFL) in Southwestern Ethiopia — Global Green Growth Institute