Ethiopian Center for Development (ECD) Showcases Youth-Led Initiatives and Signs Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Addis Ababa Youth Association

The Ethiopian Center for Development (ECD) through its DANIDA urban refugee project, has established and been working with youth groups in three subcities (Yeka, Bole and Nifas Silk Lafto) it has constituted under its Influence outcome (one of the four outcomes, namely Influence, Safety and Wellbeing, Independence and Strengthening Civil Society Legitimacy) which focuses on capacitating youths on local risk identification and social accountability processes. Through this particular outcome, youth groups have leveraged continuous collaboration, communication and joint action planning with relevant local government offices and stakeholders implement a myriad of initiatives for the past 4 years with around 5 initiatives implemented to date addressing various societal problems that span the spectrum from environmental sustainability to community peace-building to fostering social cohesion to youth employment to mention a few. Some of these initiatives have become successful income generating initiatives implemented with the support of local government stakeholders to become fully-fledged business cooperatives supporting livelihood of young women within these groups. Notable among them include a Composting Initiative established in Yeka Subcity and a Plastic Processing Cooperative established as part of the initiatives designed by our project youth groups. On yesterday March 11, 2026, nine initiatives developed by youth group from 9 sub cities in Addis Ababa were presented. In collaboration with the Addis Ababa Youth Association, each group proposed contextually relevant, unique and innovative initiatives aimed at addressing societal challenges. The youth groups presented their initiatives in the presence of their respective local government office representatives. After a careful review and evaluation by judging panel comprised of AAYA representative, ECD program manager, ECD MERL and Eritrean Refugee Association representative, one outstanding initiative was selected. At the same time, a memorandum of understanding is signed between ECD and Addis Abeba Youth Association to enhance future collaboration, and to institutionalize the youth groups within the association. Through this agreement, both institutions agree to work closely for the empowerment of different youth group initiatives and the partnership seeks to increase opportunities for youth engagement, development, to foster experience sharing, strengthen sustainability and to build trust between institutions