Floresta Ethiopia

Established in 2019, Floresta Ethiopia (FE) is a non-governmental rural development and environmental partner operating as the Ethiopian entity of the global Christian development organization Plant With Purpose (PWP). Operating under its flagship initiative, the "Restoring the Environment and Equipping the Rural Families Program," the organization addresses the interrelated crises of rural poverty, environmental degradation, and deforestation by advancing holistic watershed restoration, economic empowerment, and community-led stewardship.

Institutional Background & Philosophy

• Establishment: Founded in 2019.
• Global Affiliation: Operating arm of Plant With Purpose (Global PWP), aligning with its integrated community-transformation methodology.
• Integrated Watershed Model: Centers programmatic interventions on shared hydrologic catchments, linking ecological rehabilitation (tree planting and soil conservation) with household-level economic resilience and village savings networks.
• Human Resources: Composed of over 34 full-time staff members, 33 active volunteers, and auxiliary workers recruited predominantly from the local operational areas.

Vision, Mission & Shared Values

• Vision: To break the vicious cycle of poverty and deforestation by transforming it into a cycle of environmental restoration, economic empowerment, partnership, and community transformation/spiritual renewal.
• Mission: To reverse deforestation and poverty by transforming the lives of rural people.
• Overarching Aspiration: A resilient Ethiopia where watersheds across every community are ecologically healthy and capable of sustaining flourishing rural populations.
• Core Values:
• Partner Respect: Valuing and respecting community and institutional partners.
• Compassion: Acting with empathy and service toward the rural poor.
• Creation Stewardship: Exercising holistic care and stewardship over all creation.
• Unity: Working collaboratively in team and communal solidarity.

Programmatic Pillars & Methodology

• Environmental Restoration (ER): Reforestation of degraded sub-catchments, promotion of agroecology, and protection of indigenous forests around community institutions and churches to rebuild topsoil, restore water tables, and mitigate erosion.
• Economic Empowerment (EE): Establishing community-led savings and credit infrastructure through Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), encouraging diversified Income-Generating Activities (IGAs), and facilitating micro-enterprise development.
• Partnership & Community Transformation (PCT): Mobilizing partner churches, local schools, and community leaders as local change agents to promote unconditional social transformation, family resilience, and creation-care values.

Key Performance Indicators & Milestones

• Reforestation & Conservation: Over 3,791,295 trees planted across target micro-watersheds.
• Microfinance & Savings Groups: 596 active Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) groups established, mobilizing 10,881 total members (including 3,802 women members).
• Livelihoods & Enterprise: 1,853+ target farming households actively engaged in Income-Generating Activities (IGAs) and rural entrepreneurship.
• Potable Water & Sanitation: Provided clean drinking water access to over 6,000 individuals through the construction of protected spring development systems and community pond schemes.
• Institutional Partnerships: Engaged 96+ partner churches and 67+ partner schools in environmental awareness and indigenous tree conservation initiatives.

Location & Contact Information

• Country Office: Bahir Dar, Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia
• Physical Address: Shimbit Sub-City, Kebele 13, Bahir Dar
• Field Presence: Andabet District, South Gondar Administrative Zone
• Telephone: +251 58 220 5160
• Email: info@florestaethiopia.org
• Website: florestaethiopia.org