This activity is establishing women's groups to produce fuel saving stoves to minimize health risks, reduce deforestation and generate income

This activity is establishing women's groups to produce fuel saving stoves to minimize health risks, reduce deforestation and generate income.

Fast facts

50 women have directly benefited from seedling production activities;
50 improved stove production groups have been created;
Over 300 households have benefited from the supply of cookstoves.

The problem

Deforestation, soil erosion, overgrazing are heavy contributors to climate change.

The solution

This activity is helping communities and women adapt to climate change in several ways. To reduce deforestation, this activity has established women's groups for seedling production. The groups will grow various tree, fruit and fodder seedlings. The Association of Sustainable Development Alternatives (ASDA) and the Office of Woreda (District) Agriculture has facilitated institutional buyers to boost profits for the women. The multi-purpose tree seedling production reduces erosion, over grazing and contributes to mitigating climate change impacts. The introduction and utilization of the fuel saving stove also reduces deforestation. Engaging women in livelihoods diversification such as cattle fattening, sheep and goat rearing improves economic empowerment of women who were previously engaged in fuel wood and charcoal selling.

Helping the planet

Wild animals have been migrating away from parks due to poor tree cover. The production of seedlings is enabling more tree planting, which has contributed to the rehabilitation of the park, the return of animals and the promotion of ecotourism. School environmental clubs are raising awareness in their communities by planting trees after school. Farming communities and urban dwellers are planting trees on communal lands and on their own farms.

Helping people

The improved stove production women groups and the seedling production groups have established their own management committees with clear leadership roles. They were given leadership training and record keeping and financial management training, which has contributed towards improving their leadership capacity.

Scaling Up

This activity can be scaled up within the district and the region. It has heightened public awareness about sustainability.