The Climate Smart Initiative (CSI) was launched in July 2013, as an adjunct to the existing Government of Ethiopia’s Productive Safety Net Programme (PSNP) and Household Asset Building Programme (HABP); two of the key mechanisms of the Government to tackle food security issues and related rural livelihoods strengthening.
CSI was designed to pilot approaches that consider climate change within this larger, established context, working within existing Government approaches and cycles. This Story of Change provides an example of how CSI has affected Mesaye, a household head, with two children, farming a very small plot of land in Semada woreda, kebele 16, Abebet got/watershed, Amhara.
Mesaye tells of the positive changes experienced since she engaged in the CVCA: both her understanding and that of the community’s has changed now, seeing drought, rainfall and hailstorm hazards as consequences of climate change rather than acts of God; she and the community have realised that the impact of climate change requires them to diversify their livelihood activities. The CSI pilot activities to support livelihood diversification were taken up, with Mesaye becoming a host farmer working on dairy production. She is now able to start saving to protect her family from unexpected events.
Read the other stories of change:
Climate Smart Initiative Story of Change One: Hassna
Climate Smart Initiative Story of Change Three: Ayale and Berlie
Climate Smart Initiative Story of Change Four: Babeye Bantider, HABP Agribusiness Expert
Climate Smart Initiative Story of Change Five: Biruk Legesse, Daru Labu Woreda HABP Expert
Climate Smart Initiative Story of Change Six: Jamal
Climate Smart Initiative Story of Change Seven: Sileshi
Climate Smart Initiative Story of Change Eight: Sadik Shabure, PSNP-PW Foreman
Climate Smart Initiative Story of Change Nine: Gulilat Melaku, Development Agent
Climate Smart Initiative Story of Change Ten: Alulla Tekelay, PSNP Public Works Focal Person
