Executive Summary
With the support of UNDP, the Government of Ethiopia (GoE) has been implementing a project, entitled “Local Economic Development” (LED) in 20 localities of 5 Regions (Oromia, Amhara, SNNPR , Tigray and (Hrari and Diredawa)). These 20 localities are as follows: Oromia: Adama, Ambo, Bishoftu, Chiro, Metu, Shashemen; Amhara: Debre Markos, Debre Birhan, Gonder and Dese; SNNPR: Hosana, Dilla, Arba Minch, Mizan; Tigray: Adwa, Alamata, Axum and Shire; Harari: Harari City and Diredawa: Diredawa. The main objective of the project is to enhance the capacities of Regions and Woredas to promote pro-poor economic growth and sustainable livelihoods, through investments, employment creation and targeted economic interventions. The project has 2 main intervention areas to achieve the objectives, these are: (1) local capacity development for creating enabling environment; and (2) creating jobs opportunities. The project is aligned with the strategies of the region and localities; setting up an inclusive microfinance system, providing employment opportunities to unemployed youth and women, providing job-related skills development training to youth, construction of infrastructure, and others. In line with the GTP (5 year National Development Plan), the project has been supporting the local governments for pro-poor growth and economic development at local levels, by creating enabling environment and promoting jobs creation.
In view of the above background, participatory assessment of the locality’s LED potential was conducted and a five year LED strategy and viable interventions were developed for harnessing the potentials. In this regard, micro viable projects, which are geared towards improving the