The Role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Environmental Protection: the Case of MELCA Ethiopia and World Vision Ethiopia
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Date
2016-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in environmental protection endeavor is
considered in this study by taking into account one from each category of CSOs that are
legally operating in Ethiopia i.e. Ethiopian Residence (MELCA Ethiopia), and Foreign
Charity (World Vision Ethiopia). The objectives of the study is aimed at uncovering the
specific roles and activities of SEGNI environmental education program, MELCA
Ethiopia, and Humbo CDM project that works on forest regeneration under World Vision
Ethiopia. It also attempts to figure out the benefits and challenges experienced by the
projects. The study follows a descriptive research method to effectively address the
foregoing objectives. The target population considered for SEGNI is the one that runs in
Holeta town among those in Sebeta town, Welmera and Sebeta Hawas woreda due to
mainly the existence of active and vibrant environmental protection activities. For
Humbo CDM project, the target population taken in to account is the Humbo community
that is organized under seven forest cooperatives. Abella Longena forest cooperative was
targeted among the seven due to a relatively vast area it covered, high membership size,
and sale and revenue sharing of carbon trading. The study employed both probability
(i.e. simple random) and non-probability (purposive) sampling techniques appropriately.
About 10 % of representative samples were selected using lottery method that yield 113
samples among the total 1125 SEGNI club members in Holeta and 90 samples from the
903 members at the cooperative. As a result of an active participation of members in
environmental education, SEGNI members are able to acquire various ecological,
cultural and indigenous knowledge, and it helped them develop attitudinal change, social
responsibility, communication skill, and become proactive and action-oriented. The
findings regarding the forest regeneration activities at Humbo woreda show that
members are able to get full access to social, economic and legal benefits, not to mention
the restoration of rich forest coverage that significantly decreased the environmental
problems the community used to face. The environmental protection endeavors
undertaken by both projects which are the first in its kind in Ethiopia have been well-
recognized both nationally and internationally. And the success of the projects could be
replicated elsewhere so as to reach out to a wider community whose overall impact will
greatly contribute to a better living environment for all living things. The Charities and
Societies proclamation (no. 621/2009) and the 70/30 directive have been found to be
restrictive as it significantly affects local CSOS like MELCA Ethiopia. CSOs working
towards environmental protection are therefore recommended to forge one umbrella so
as to lobby against national and international laws affecting their operations and to
create regional and international integration and networking for experience sharing and
technical support..
Key Words: Environmental Protection, Civil Society Organizations, SEGNI program,
Humbo CDM project, MELCA Ethiopia, World Vision Ethiopia
Description
Keywords
Environmental Protection, Civil society organizations, SEGNI program, Humbo CDM project, MELCA ethiopia, World vision ethiopia