SDGs
Governing synergies and trade-offs with SDG15 in Ethiopia: a local-to-global study of landscape restoration in Lake Tana sub-basin
By Aytenew Endeshaw Tatek (aytenew.tatek@wur.nl )
The Lake Tana sub-basin is a vital growth corridor in Ethiopia, supporting agricultural and horticultural development while providing non-crop benefits and serving as a biodiversity hotspot. Despite its significant economic and ecological value, the region faces severe land degradation due to agricultural expansion, overgrazing, and deforestation.
Numerous landscape restoration projects have been implemented by the government and international donors in recent decades, yet aligning stakeholders and interventions to comprehensively address the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) remains a challenge. Most initiatives have focused primarily on biophysical aspects, often overlooking critical socio-economic and governance issues essential for effective restoration. Additionally, connections between local initiatives and international policies have been limited.
This PhD project will adopt a local-to-global governance perspective and employ an integrated methodological approach to analyze the underlying causes of land degradation and restoration challenges. It will examine the interaction of landscape restoration policies with SDG 15 and related SDGs, explore stakeholder interests and paradigms, and assess how narratives around trade-offs and synergies are aligned in the Lake Tana sub-basin. Ultimately, the project aims to contribute to more effective landscape management and sustainable development strategies.
Governing synergies and trade-offs with SDG15 in Ethiopia: a global-to-local study of landscape restoration in Lake Tana sub-basin
By Dereje Amene Yimam (dereje.yimam@wur.nl )
This PhD project examines the governance of landscape restoration (SDG 15) and its interactions with food security (SDG 2), water (SDG 6), and climate change (SDG 13) in Ethiopia’s Lake Tana sub-basin. The region faces challenges from agricultural land expansion, fuelwood collection, and overgrazing, resulting in deforestation and soil erosion that threaten food security and water quality downstream.
The project aims to analyze how institutional and actor-based forces influence policy changes within the global-local nexus of landscape restoration governance. It will explore the roles of multilevel networks in shaping alignment among actors, institutions, and policy sectors. Beginning with the actions of global platforms, such as the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UN High-Level Policy Forum, the research will trace their alignment with national and local stakeholders.
Employing a mixed-methods approach, the project will collect both qualitative and quantitative data through surveys, interviews, and stakeholder workshops, along with secondary data from policy documents and reports. By May 2026, the project aims to produce four publishable and policy-insightful manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed journals, contributing essential insights into sustainable development and landscape governance in Ethiopia.
Landscape Restoration and Its Impacts on the SDG Dimensions: Insights from the Kunzila Integrated Landscape Management and WASH (ILMWA) project, Ethiopia
By Desalegn Amlaku Gugissa (desalegn.a@wlrc-eth.org or desalegnamlaku@gmail.com )
This ongoing research project examines the synergies and trade-offs among the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the framework of the Kunzila Integrated Landscape Management and WASH (ILMWA) project in Ethiopia. Recognizing the interconnected nature of the SDGs, the project aims to identify effective multi-sectoral interventions that require alignment among diverse stakeholders, a challenge often posed by existing sectoral institutions.
The study focuses on three key interventions for targeted farming households: credit provision, homestead development, and soil and water conservation (SWC). Using panel data, the research assesses the impacts of these interventions on critical SDGs, including poverty alleviation (SDG 1), food security (SDG 2), resilient livelihoods (SDG 13), and sustainable land management (SDG 15).
Preliminary findings indicate that individual treatments yield minimal impacts on SDG indicators. However, the combination of credit and SWC shows significant positive effects, while the pairing of homestead development and SWC does not lead to notable improvements in the short run. The strongest benefits arise when all three treatments are implemented together.
This ongoing research is expected to provide new insights into the need for integrated development approaches that consider potential synergies and trade-offs to enhance the effectiveness of interventions aimed at achieving the SDGs in local communities.
Cross-country comparison among Eastern African countries
By Desalegn Amlaku Gugissa and postdoctoral researchers in Kenya, Uganda and the Netherlands.
This ongoing research project examines the evolution of alignment mechanisms used to achieve global development goals in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda since the adoption of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The study investigates how these mechanisms have changed as the country’s transition to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), addressing the central question: “How have alignment mechanisms evolved during this transition?”
To explore this, the project focuses on several key sub-questions, including the alignment mechanisms between central government departments, the interaction between national and regional governments, and the roles of donor countries and non-state actors. Additionally, it assesses factors that facilitate alignments—such as flexibility, local governance, and leadership—and evaluates the effectiveness of these mechanisms over time.
The research employs systematic literature reviews in each country to capture a comprehensive understanding of alignment strategies. By utilizing Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, the study aims to gather multidisciplinary insights that highlight common trends and differences across the three nations, ultimately contributing to more effective strategies for achieving the SDGs in the region.