[WLRC, Arba Minch, October 2025] The Water and Land Resource Centre (WLRC), the Ministry of Water and Energy (MoWE) and local stakeholders held an Awareness Creation and Public Mobilization Planning Workshop on October 18, 2025, at Ezana Hotel, Arba Minch to expedite joint implementation of interventions supported by the BRIGHT Project. The event brought together key stakeholders from the Hare Catchment, within the Rift Valley Lakes Basin, focusing on quick-win intervention areas to strengthen collaboration and ensure effective community engagement. The workshop marked an important milestone in the implementation of the BRIGHT Project’s interventions aimed at addressing land degradation and promoting sustainable catchment management in the catchment.
The Director for the Land and Ecosystem Division at WLRC Dr. Yilkal Anteneh in his opening remarks highlighted the objectives of the workshop. He explained that following the establishment of Project Joint implementation Committees at the Zone, Woreda, Kebele, and Ketena levels, the next crucial step was to foster a shared understanding among all members. “As the Committees are composed of community members, creating a common vision and sense of ownership among stakeholders is essential to achieving collective success. We will plan together and mobilize the public together for a stronger, more sustainable outcome” said Dr. Yilkal.
Ato Workneh Kalsa, Deputy Head of the Gamo Zone Agriculture Office, on his part commended the BRIGHT Project team for its proactive approach in implementing quick-win interventions, particularly in areas facing severe environmental degradation. He emphasized the importance of active public participation across all kebeles and ketenas, stressing that land degradation is a shared challenge requiring collective solutions. “Regardless of administrative boundaries, this is a common problem that demands unified action. I urge all committee members to take ownership of the project and work hand-in-hand with project teams at every level” Ato Workneh stated.
During the workshop, participants reviewed the committee structure and clearly defined their roles and responsibilities. A total of five committees were established to oversee project activities: Landscape Rehabilitation Committee; Kebele Technical Committee; Kebele Administration; Ketena Idirs Committee; and Zone and Woreda Technical Committee. Each committee will play a distinct role in planning, implementing, and monitoring project interventions to ensure sustainable impact and effective public mobilization.
Another session of the workshop focused on the quick-win restoration interventions planned for completion by the end of 2025. Key activities include gabion and check dam construction, degraded land rehabilitation, nursery site strengthening, gully rehabilitation, riverbank stabilization, filling gullies with soil and waste materials, and the construction of diversion drains and bunds. These interventions will be implemented across Shara, Chano Dorga, Chano Chaliba, and Chano Mille Kebeles.
The workshop was attended by more than 150 participants, including representatives from the Gamo Zone, Arba Minch Zuriya Woreda, Arba Minch Town Administration, and the four target kebeles. Participants also included representatives from youth groups, Idirs, Women Affairs Offices, and other local government structures.
The event concluded with the development of community bylaws for a shared commitment among all stakeholders to strengthen coordination, enhance public awareness, and accelerate the implementation of sustainable land and water management initiatives across the Hare Catchment.