Mission
Founded in 2019, Floresta Ethiopia / Floresta is dedicated to reversing these challenges. Our mission is to support resource-limited communities in restoring their environmental resources, enhancing agricultural productivity, and improving livelihoods. To date, we have positively impacted over 146,682 individuals, fostering a vision of a flourishing Ethiopia—a nation where healthy watersheds support thriving communities.
Comprehensive Programs for Sustainable Change
Floresta Ethiopia’s core initiative, the “Restoring the Environment and Equipping Rural Families Program,” employs a holistic, community-centered approach. From its pilot phase (2019 to mid-2021) to its current expansion, the program’s reach has grown significantly:
- Coverage: Increased from 191 sq. km to 487 sq. km.
- Sub-watersheds: Now includes Gota (209 sq. km), Moke (87 sq. km), and Ziragn (191 sq. km), targeting over 30,623 households.
Our Unique Approach
Our approach is rooted in the concept of sub-watershed management—a natural unit for achieving measurable and sustainable change. By focusing on:
- Promoting environmental stewardship.
- Integrating investments in trees, soil restoration, and livelihoods.
- Addressing household and communal environmental challenges, we hand over watersheds only when communities are equipped to sustain their natural resources and meet their needs independently. This ensures lasting impact beyond program completion.
Campaign inauguration to plant more than 1.9 million seedlings, 14 July 2023, Andabet district, Amhara National Regional State
Thematic Focus Areas
Floresta Ethiopia / Floresta envision to break vicious cycle of poverty and deforestation by transforming it into a vicious cycle of Environmental Restorations, Economic Empowerment, Spiritual Renewal/ Partnership & Community Transformation.
Our unique methodology integrates three thematic pillars:
- Environmental Restoration (ER): Rejuvenating ecosystems for long-term sustainability.
- Economic Empowerment (EE): Creating opportunities for financial growth and resilience.
- Agency and Stewardship (AS), We call it Partnership and Community Transformation (PCT) in Ethiopia context: Fostering active participation and shared responsibility within communities.
Measuring Impact
We are committed to transparency, accountability, and continuous learning. Our programs are regularly monitored and evaluated to ensure they create lasting change. This approach helps us build trust with stakeholders, including partners, donors, and beneficiaries, while enabling informed decision-making.
A Collaborative Effort
Our team comprises over 34 full-time staff, 33 active volunteers, and several part-time workers—the majority of whom come from the communities we serve. Inspired by shared principles and goals, we:
- Build partnerships with governmental, institutional, and private-sector stakeholders.
- Promote gender equality and social inclusion.
- Share knowledge and adopt best practices from across the globe.
Join Us in Transforming Lives and Landscapes
Floresta Ethiopia / Floresta is more than a development organization—it’s a movement for change. Together with our partners, we work to create a deeper, more lasting transformation environmentally, economically, and socially. By choosing to collaborate with Floresta Ethiopia, you become part of a vision for a greener, more equitable future for all.
