Dutch-based int’l Organization Edukans Launches a project to Foster Green Jobs in Ethiopia
Dutch-based int’l Organization Edukans Launches a project to Foster Green Jobs in Ethiopia
Addis Ababa, November 26, 2024 (FBC) – The Edukans Country Office in Ethiopia, part of a Dutch-based international organization, has unveiled a two-year initiative named “Wear the Green Future,” aimed at bolstering national efforts to combat climate change while promoting a sustainable, eco-friendly environment.
During the project’s launch, Petra Harren, CEO of Edukans, highlighted the fashion industry’s role in environmental degradation, underscoring the importance of the Wear the Green Future initiative in addressing this issue through recycling and reusing materials.
Harren explained that the project focuses on empowering youth to transform waste from the garment and textile sectors into valuable resources, thus converting waste into wealth and fostering a circular economy that supports sustainability.
Gezahegn Lemessa, Country Director of Edukans Ethiopia, mentioned that the initiative aligns with national goals aimed at establishing a climate-resilient green economy, which emphasizes environmental protection as a top priority.
The initiative will collaborate with Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions in the Oromia and Amhara regions, along with relevant government bodies, to equip young people with the skills needed to mitigate pollution from the textile and garment industries.
“Our goal is to create green job opportunities for youth while supporting national environmental efforts and assisting the government in achieving a sustainable future,” he stated.
After completing training on recycling garment and textile waste, participants will be connected to potential donors for financial backing to launch their businesses.
Lemessa also highlighted plans to enhance the capacity of TVET institutions by providing both technical assistance and material resources for effective project implementation.
Nesredin Kadi, Deputy Head of the Oromia Job Creation and Skills Development Bureau, praised the project for complementing regional initiatives that promote a clean and green environment, encapsulated in their slogan, “Externally Green Internally Clean.”
Fantahun Tarekegn, Skills Program Manager at Edukans Ethiopia, elaborated that the initiative will enhance the capabilities of TVET colleges in providing green skills to train youth for green job opportunities. He noted the establishment of incubation centers to help the trained youth test their business ideas in the marketplace.
The project is expected to impact around 200 TVET trainers who will, in turn, train approximately 2,300 youths, according to Tarekegn.
The launch event was attended by government officials, deans of TVET institutions, youth entrepreneurs, and representatives from the German International Cooperation Agency (GIZ) and other international organizations.