Creating employment while conserving the environment

In 2016, the youth of Tsibet Kebele, Endemehoni Woreda in Tigray region established “Lemlem Afaje Environmental Association.” The association has 13 members, of whom nine are women. Having completed their grade 10 education, all members were unemployed and lived with their families. None of them had a chance to pursue higher education or start their own business.

Having seen their situation, the Kebele Administration targeted them for POTENTIAL project. They all passed through ‘Positive Youth Development’, ‘Work ready Now!’ and ‘Be Your Own Boss’ trainings. Following the trainings, the youth discovered a public forest in their Kebele and noticed the possibility of engaging in environmental businesses while at the same time conserving the forest. Convinced by their plan, the Kebele Administration gave them permission to own and manage the forest

Once they organized themselves in to an association, they received training on seedling production. Following that, they started producing seedlings and conserving the forest. The already-available irrigation channel in the area helped them to run their business all year. So far, they have sold trees and seedlings for 15,000 Birr, which they have saved. In addition to their financial reward, because of their conservation work, the forest is now estimated to be worth 90,000 Birr. Most importantly, their engagement in this business stopped serious deforestation trend in the Kebele.

According to Assefu, Deputy Chair of the association, the trainings enabled them to develop self-awareness, self-confidence, and learn the importance of saving. Referring to the special value POTENTIAL adds to girls targeted by the project, she said, “If I was not part of this project, I probably would have been forced to marry someone because that is the only option for girls in this Kebele”

All members of the association agree that the trainings have influenced them positively, and have opened up new opportunities to support themselves and their families. Inspired by their progress, seven of them also accessed loan from Dedebit Credit and Saving Share Company and started their own businesses. They plan to sell the seedlings and some of the trees under their protection and start bee-keeping business in the forest.