GREENING ETHIOPIA - Towards a more climate responsive HE system in support of sustainable agriculture and energy in Ethiopia

The GREENING Ethiopia project aims to strengthen Ethiopian HEIs as key players in sustainability, aligning them with national and international priorities. The focus is on a green transition in horticulture value chains towards climate-smart agriculture (CSA) and sustainable energy. This contributes to the EU’s Global Gateway strategy and Green Deal, emphasizing climate-smart agricultural practices and sustainable energy in global value chains.In partnership with the Ethiopian Ministry of Education (MoE), the project will integrate sustainability into national education policies, research funding, and university plans. HEIs will be required to conduct sustainability assessments that guide academic and operational changes, helping to create a roadmap for green transitions and policy incentives for sustainability-focused research, education, and outreach. Four Ethiopian HEIs are selected to lead this transition, with all other HEIs resorting under the MoE (43) trained on the guidelines for green transition that will be developed and piloted in this project.Within the four selected HEIs, the focus will be on revising and modernizing 4 Master programs in CSA and renewable energy. The project will introduce Problem-Based Learning, digital platforms, and practical placements to enhance student engagement, critical thinking, and real-world problem-solving skills for the green economy.The sustainability assessments will drive university-led projects on climate adaptation strategies and develop a research agenda on CSA and renewable energy, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration. Business ideas and job opportunities will be generated, while multi-stakeholder platforms will foster collaboration between academia, government, and the private sector, ensuring practical policy and industry outcomes. The project will also deliver gender inclusiveness training, encourage women in STEM, and engage youth, women, IDPs, and marginalized communities in outreach activities.