Conservation of biodiversity and sustainable management of natural resources

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Ethiopia is home to numerous animal and plant species as well as two biodiversity hotspots of global importance. However, biodiversity has declined dramatically in recent decades. The reasons for this are the arrival and relocation of people, intensive grazing and large-scale investments in the agricultural sector, usually without sufficient consideration of environmental impacts on biodiversity and its ecosystem services. A protected area system covering 14 percent of the country's area is intended to help preserve biodiversity. However, protected area management, which essentially includes national parks and reserves, has suffered for years from underinvestment, gaps in legislation, little involvement of local communities and inadequate economic utilization of protected areas. This applies primarily to the Ethiopian Wildlife and Conservation Authority (EWCA), which is responsible for managing the protected areas. The aim of the project is therefore to support the development and management of selected national parks that are of central importance for the economic development of the region and the preservation of biodiversity. This is done by providing infrastructure (construction of park stations, road networks, bridges) and equipment (e.g. vehicles, shunting equipment) as well as by supporting the park management in the development and implementation of participatory management systems and tourism development plans in close cooperation with co-management partners (Frankfurt Zoological Society, African Wildlife Foundation) and the local population. The overarching development policy objective of the project is to contribute to the effective protection and sustainable use of selected areas with high biodiversity and to improve the living conditions of the local population. Based on the national strategies and at the request of the partner, the aim is to involve German or international NGOs that have many years of extensive experience in protected area management. They should support the respective park administration as co-managers and implement the components together in close coordination with the park administration and EWCA. A total of EUR 20.0 million is earmarked as a FZ grant over 5 years to finance the project.