The Hailemariam & Roman Foundation (HRF), with financial support from the GIZ-CLM, organized a Training workshop on “integrating alternative livelihoods interventions into conservation works in the Chamo catchment,” which took place on April 21, 2023, in Arba Minch City. The training was provided by Dr. Befikadu Esayas and Dr. Alemayehu Assefa of HRF’s Climate Smart Conservation and Ecotourism program staff. The workshop brought together 30 participants from Gamo and Konso Zones and three Special Woredas of Derashe, Amaro, and Burji, stakeholders for the conservation works.
Concerning the training’s significance, Dr. Alemayehu Assafa, HRF’s Chief of the Program for Climate Smart Conservation and Ecotourism, stated that much of the current focus on livelihood projects is due to the emergence of concepts such as social vulnerability and resilience and that this training is critical to raising awareness of these concepts and ensuring that participants are familiar with strategies for integrating livelihoods into conservation.
During the session, the participants identified, understood, and internalized the concept of livelihood components and context-specific activities in real examples.
In his final remarks, Dr. Alemayehu emphasized that after the training, participants should be dedicated to applying the knowledge and skills they gained from the training on the ground, and HRF is committed to courageously continuing its support at all levels to achieve climate-smart conservation on the project site.
Hailemariam & Roman Foundation
April 2023, Arba Minch