[June 30, 2026, Addis Ababa] – Water and Land Resource Centre (WLRC),Debre Berhan University (DBU), and the Center for Adolescent Girls Health (CAGH), in collaboration with the Ethiopian Women Researchers’ Association (EWRA), signed a one-year Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) today at the WLRC office to implement a project entitled “From Grey to Green Spaces: Advancing Institutional Backyard Gardening through Treated Wastewater Reuse for Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM).”
The partnership aims to establish and implement climate-smart institutional backyard gardens that utilize treated greywater generated through nature-based wastewater treatment systems. By transforming wastewater into a productive resource, the project seeks to promote sustainable water management practices while creating learning and livelihood opportunities for adolescent girls.
A key component of the initiative is the empowerment of adolescent girls through practical training and entrepreneurship development. Participants will be engaged throughout different stages of the project based on their interests and abilities. They will receive hands-on training in compost production, seedling preparation, climate-smart gardening practices, irrigation management, produce marketing, and business skills. Through these activities, the project aims to enhance their technical capacity, strengthen their confidence, and improve their economic prospects.
Under the agreement, Debre Berhan University will allocate suitable land and institutional space for the establishment of demonstration gardens. The University will also provide facilities, staff time, operational support, and other institutional resources valued at approximately ETB 2.4 million to support the successful implementation of the project.
WLRC will contribute technical expertise in the design, development, and implementation of greywater reuse systems and climate-smart gardens. In addition, the Centre will provide financial and technical support estimated at ETB 4.635 million, ensuring the effective establishment and operation of the project interventions.
CAGH, together with EWRA, will lead community mobilization and stakeholder engagement activities, facilitate the establishment of irrigation systems and gardening interventions, and conduct training and awareness-raising programs. The organizations will also play a central role in supporting and mentoring adolescent girls throughout the project implementation period.
The initiative is expected to serve as a practical demonstration of how integrated water resources management, nature-based wastewater treatment, and climate-smart agriculture can be combined to create environmental and social benefits. Beyond improving water-use efficiency and greening institutional spaces, the project will contribute to building skills and creating income-generating opportunities for young women.
The Memorandum of Agreement was signed by Dr. Yeshareg Afera, Vice President for Administration and Development of Debre Berhan University; Dr. Gete Zeleke, Director General of the Water and Land Resource Centre; and Dr. Aster Teshome, Executive Director of the Center for Adolescent Girls Health and President of the Ethiopian Women Researchers’ Association.
The partners reaffirmed their commitment to working collaboratively to transform underutilized institutional spaces into productive green areas while equipping adolescent girls with practical skills and opportunities that contribute to their long-term empowerment and resilience.