Pilot Project of Climate Resilient Shows Promising Prospects, Studies Recommend

ADDIS ABABA – August 05, 2025 (HoAREC&N) – Studies recommended that the implementation of the Pilot Project geared towards improving climate resilience of communities and ecosystems through Integrated Water Resource Management shows promising prospects to make better lives in target areas.

Participants and technical evaluators testified in a validation workshop jointly organized by the Horn of Africa Regional Environment Center and Network (HoAREC&N) and the Ministry of Water and Energy (MoWE)  that the Pilot Project of Climate Resilient through Integrated Water Resource Management (PPCR-IWRM) carried out in Ziway-Shalla Lakes Sub-Basin has made encouraging progress.  

External and internal reviewers drawn from various higher learning institutions, ministerial offices and other governmental and non-governmental organizations highlighted in their respective comments and recommendations that the PPCR-IWRM shows strong economic and restoration potential for better achievement in the future. In addition to its promising impacts, the PPCR-IWRM created an  opportunity to intensify coordination among stakeholders at all levels.

Workshop participants said in the course of the discussion that the PPCR-IWRM being executed jointly by HoAREC and MoWE is in a well-executed state and can be regarded as an exemplary initiative to other similar development projects.

Earlier, Professor Mekuria Argaw Executive Director of HoAREC&N said welcoming workshop participants that the PPCR-IWRM project area is prone to water and land degradation; and HoAREC&N decided to intervene to curb the problem on small area in a bid to generate best practices that can be scalable to the wider community. He further said that as the ever increasing temperature poses threat to the survival of human beings and to the ecology of the area, PPCR-IWRM came up with the holistic approach that can enhance economic, social and ecological adaptability and coping mechanism of climate change.

The Executive Director also said that the pilot project has enabled women to engage themselves in various income generating activities; and the capacity building training also empowered them to develop, manage, and make decisions on their water resources. 

Opening the validation workshop, H.E. Mr. Motuma Mekassa, advisor to the Minister of Water and Energy with the rank of state minister, extended gratitude to co-implementers, HoAREC&N and MoWE, for their unreserved efforts to realize the resilience of community and ecosystem by accomplishing activities that bring about critical changes and create sustainable economic capacity. “People have been able to draw on practical experiences that can help address natural degradation through integrated water resource management,” Minister Motuma said.

Abdurahman Uyu  project Manager said that PPCR was funded by Africa Development Bank (AfDB) from its global initiative established under the multi-donor Climate Investment Fund (CIF) to provide programmatic financing that enables countries to incorporate climate resilience into their development planning and implementation processes. Accordingly, the promising achievements can serve as best practices for scaling up to other similar ecological areas by the government and development partners.

Over 60 participants from various ministerial offices, governmental and non-governmental organizations, woreda administrations, higher learning institutions, and regional sector bureaus participated in the day-long validation workshop held here at Get Fam Hotel. (HoAREC&N).