Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, August 12, 2025 – Ethiopia’s annual tree planting season is in full swing, and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) Ethiopia is once again playing a leading role. Through its Climate Resilient Forest and Landscape Restoration (CRFLR) Program in the Oromia and Sidama regions, GGGI is not just planting trees; it’s empowering communities and building a more sustainable and climate-resilient future for the nation.

In June and July 2025, the program achieved a significant milestone with the planting of 238,224 seedlings in the Oromia region, supported by local Forest Management Cooperatives (FMCs). In the Sidama region, an equally impressive 231,000 seedlings have been planted so far. These efforts contribute to a total of 469,224 seedlings across the two regions this season.

This year’s campaign is the culmination of extensive preparation, with GGGI establishing and managing six well-prepared nursery sites. These sites have cultivated nearly 800,000 diverse seedlings, including a mix of forest, fruit, and coffee trees. The specific selection of these trees was strategic, aimed at providing both environmental and economic benefits to communities while thriving in the local climate.

The CRFLR program, supported by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), employs a holistic approach to restore 10,000 hectares of degraded forest and farmland and increase the resilience of 11,000 vulnerable households. The program is part of GGGI’s broader “Sustainable Landscapes” mission and directly contributes to Ethiopia’s national land restoration goals while also fostering green growth. The introduction of high-value crops like apples, avocados, and coffee, for example, supports local value chains and creates opportunities for small-scale enterprises, further strengthening economic resilience.

A core component of the CRFLR program is its focus on community mobilization, which has been a key highlight of this year’s campaign. This approach has transformed tree planting from a simple event into a sustainable movement, built on several key pillars. First, Participatory Forest Management ensures that the program’s success is intrinsically linked to the direct involvement of local communities. This includes working with community-based organizations and Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA) to integrate forest conservation with livelihood improvements.

For Birtukan Dede, a leader of the Village Savings and Loan Association (WVSLA) and a CRFLR client, this is deeply personal. “We are planting forest seedlings to restore a forest that once sustained us,” she says, describing the work as “bringing life back to our home with deep commitment.” Birtukan emphasizes the dual benefits, “As we help the forest thrive, we are also making progress. Our Village Savings and Loan Association has expanded, empowering us to improve our families’ livelihoods.”

GGGI further builds this community-led movement through capacity building. The program provides targeted training to community members on sustainable land management and nursery establishment. These sessions not only build technical skills but also promote a deeper understanding of the link between environmental health and their own well-being. Crucially, Livelihood Integration is a core focus, as by promoting agroforestry and the cultivation of high-value crops, the program creates sustainable income streams. This gives communities a vested interest in the long-term success of the restoration, as their livelihoods are directly tied to the health of the land.

The success of this season’s campaign represents a fundamental shift toward a more sustainable and resilient Ethiopia. This was made possible through a strong partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, whose experts, from the woreda and Kebele level administrations, provided invaluable support. Their contributions included technical assistance, on-site supervision, and community mobilization, all of which were crucial for the project’s smooth implementation. As the planting season continues, GGGI Ethiopia remains committed to supporting the nation’s green growth goals and building a legacy that will benefit generations to come.

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Media Contact

Tesfagebriel Tekola

GGGI Senior Communications Associate, Ethiopia

tesfagebriel.endale@gggi.org