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  • We work towards a brighter future for children and youth in Ethiopia

    Apply till March 31st

    Green Business Incubator

    We are calling all green entrepreneurs in Addis Ababa to apply for our new program launched in partnership with the IKEA Foundation.

    Designed to fill the gaps in support, our Green Business Incubator offers sub-grants, customized tools, and capacity development opportunities aimed at nurturing and expanding the operations of green enterprises. If you are working with a solution within waste and/or circularity, and your goal is to grow and sustain your business, we encourage you to seize this opportunity to refine your operational processes and contribute to a greener future.

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    About us

    We choose change

    Ethiopia boasts a significant youth population, offering a pool of talent, energy, and innovative ideas that can drive social ventures and initiatives forward. Many Ethiopians have already demonstrated their ability to innovate and develop impactful solutions to local challenges, showcasing the potential for social entrepreneurship to flourish. Reach for Change is ready to embrace this potential to drive positive change and tackle the country's most pressing issues.

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    People behind change

    Unleash the power of social entrepreneurs

    The world is full of remarkable people who carry brilliant solutions to social problems. Since 2015 we have been empowering these people in Ethiopia to develop innovative solutions and to create a world where all children reach their full potential.

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    Our impact

    Since 2015, we have been empowering local social entrepreneurs to develop innovative solutions that improve the lives of children and youth.

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    352.264

    children and youth impacted

    Over 1000

    entrepreneurs supported in our different programs

    91%

    of our Alumni are still in business

    Our programs in Ethiopia

    Get to know what we do.

    Discover our programs globally

    Ecosystem development

    Voice of change radio series

    A collaborative project with one of the award-winning radio shows in Ethiopia. Within the project 5 interviews with notable women within the business/social sector in Ethiopia will be broadcasted, inspiring women and girls in urban and rural areas to pursue an entrepreneurial career.

    With Swedish Institute & Erq Ma'ed

    Capacity development

    Building Waste and Circular Enterprises

    A multi-year extended project within our nationwide programme “Ethiopia's Green Future” that focuses on facilitating green transition and youth employment through green entrepreneurship.” We intend to continue the implementation of the Green Innovation Lab and, over the course of three years, deliver an evidence-based, high-performing intervention that reaches 75 high-potential green enterprises in Addis Ababa. In parallel to this, we will deliver the Green Business Incubator targeting entrepreneurs at a more advanced stage, deepening our support to early-stage enterprises with the potential to accelerate job creation and green growth.

    WITH IKEA Foundation

    Implementation of Micro, Small, and Medium-Size Enterprises (MSME) Business Training and Coaching Loop in Oromia and Amhara Regions

    The project is dedicated to fostering economic growth and creating employment opportunities in the identified project areas of GIC, with a particular focus on empowering women. Our approach involves enhancing the capabilities of selected MSMEs through transparent and equitable processes, including training, coaching, facilitating business linkages, and granting access to essential services such as financial support.

    WITH GIZ

    Livelihoods in the Social Economy: Social Entrepreneurship in Ethiopia

    Within the project we are aiming to develop a comprehensive set of replicable policy structures and toolkits tailored for CSOs. These resources will focus on key areas such as gender equality, human rights, climate change, and sustainability. The overarching aim of this initiative is to empower CSOs by providing them with practical tools to adopt decent work principles. By doing so, we envision an improvement in the quality of their development work, the creation of safe and equitable working environments, and enhancements in their hiring and HR processes.

    WITH FORUM CIV

    Starter & Catalyzer Programmes

    Within this project, we are providing opportunities for high-potential agri-tech and agri-business start-ups and MSMEs to improve market access, generate higher income and create jobs.

    with Bic Ethiopia

    News from Ethiopia

    Here we bring you the stories and updates that matter most.

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    Ecosystem development Impact

    Voice of Change

    In 2022, in collaboration with the award-winning radio show Erq Ma’ed and funding from the Swedish Institute, we produced the Voice of Change - a much-needed radio series which highlighted 5 strong and successful Ethiopian women and their stories.

    Capacity development Impact

    Catalyzing Green Business

    Since 2021, Reach for Change, with the support of the IKEA Foundation, has been implementing a pilot project in Ethiopia aimed at inspiring young people to establish green enterprises. This innovative approach has been delivered in collaboration with four higher education institutions in Addis Ababa, consisting of two TVETs (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) and two universities. The pilot has yielded valuable learnings and insights, including the implementation of a Green Entrepreneurship Bootcamp and a Green Innovation Lab.

    Change Leader Story

    Staying true to your dreams and identity against all odds

    After all the challenges Hamere is now one of the most successful women in Addis Ababa, an example and inspiration for others. Hamere’s dream is to help children rediscover traditional values, bring out their talents and foster a culture of peace, tolerance, and respect.

    Blogpost

    Creating a green and equal future through social entrepreneurship: The case of Ethiopia

    As developing economies like Ethiopia face the biggest challenges in the world with youth unemployment, high levels of inequality, and are the ones feeling the impact of the changing climate the most, we asked Lemlem to reflect on how social entrepreneurship is an important tool to tackle them and to share some of the inspiring examples and lessons learned from her work.

    by Lemlem Sinkineh, Country Manager Ethiopia

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