Ethiopian Forestry Development (EFD) held the full-scale proposal development and validation workshop seven-year regional program titled “Enhancing the Bamboo Value Chain in Ethiopia and the United Republic of Tanzania to Leverage Bamboo as a Nature-Based Solution for Climate Resilience and Adaptation.” Supported by the Adaptation Fund.
Today, UNIDO INBAR and EFD in collaboration organized the validation workshop where federal and regional Stakeholders, experts, and government officials from across Ethiopia gathered at the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel for a validation workshop reviewing the full-scale proposal for the “BambooBOOST Project”. Sources told us that “Ethiopia is selected for this project based on its ownership of 60% of African bamboo resources, vulnerability of climate risks, conducive climate and adaptation policy strategic national bamboo framework, established institutional experience in sector-wide assessments, and significant opportunities to advance sustainable bamboo management and value chain development .
Theregional program aims to build resilient, bamboo-based rural economies through South-South cooperation between Ethiopia and Tanzania for experience sharing and common knoeledge leraning hubs. The validation workshop brought together high-level EFD leaders officials, representatives from national strategic ministries, private sector leaders, civil society organizations, thr Ethiopian component implemented in four regiios and the Oromia, Amhara, Sidama and Benishangul-Gumuz regional states comprising 10 districts/ wereda where the project will be implemented.
Opening the workshop, His Excellency Kebede Yimam, Director General of Ethiopian Forestry Development, highlighted the practical purpose of the meeting, emphasizing that the final and synthesized framework was presented to review, discuss, and validate a unified vision for climate adaptation. H.E. also explained that the project aims to significantly strengthen climate resilience and adaptive capacity of vulnerable communities across Ethiopia. This can e achieved by fostering community-driven planning, the program unlocks the full potential of bamboo as a high-value nature-based solution and alternative livelihood option, empowering local populations to safeguard ecosystems while diversifying their income streams.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Mr. Stephen Kargbo, UNIDO Representative and Director of the Sub-regional Office, congratulated the participating nations and encouraged all partners to aim high in their industrialization efforts. He noted that every developing nation progressing today has followed a path of industrialization, and Ethiopia is already demonstrating strong momentum on that trajectory.
Similarly, Mr. Borja De La Peña Escardó, Director of Global Programs at the International Bamboo and Rattan Organization (INBAR), marked the workshop as a critical milestone in establishing sustainable livelihoods and business opportunities. He also expressed deep appreciation to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, EFD, UNIDO, and all key partners for their leadership and sustained commitment to addressing climate priorities.
The project will be implemented over the next seven years with a project budget of 30M. USD for both Ethiopia and Tanzania. In Ethiopia, it would be implemented in ten selected districts within the Sidama, Benishangul-Gumuz, Oromia, and Amhara regional states.
