About Us
Goal
To contribute to the national endeavor of empowering the youth, children and women to be self-reliant.
WHO WE ARE
Our Vision
ESD aspires to see Ethiopia with empowered communities.
Our Mission
ESD is committed to creating bright future for children, girls, youth, and women through integrated interventions.
What we do
Currently running 15 transformative projects across the Amhara, Oromia, Sidama, South Ethiopia, and Central Ethiopia, Benishangul Gumuz regions, ESD focuses on six key thematic areas:
EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT
A Total of 48,941 children who’ve blossomed through ESD’s Early Childhood Development programs, where 126 vibrant centers now stand—with classrooms built, gardens planted, and playgrounds echoing with laughter. Over 277 trained educators (76% women) are nurturing Ethiopia’s youngest minds with love and purpose. And the impact doesn’t stop there: from transforming 116 primary schools, reaching over 236,000 learners, to equipping 63 science labs, building 224 classrooms, training 864 teachers, and ensuring access to safe toilets, water, and books.
QUALITY EDUCATION
We enhanced 111 primary schools, creating safe and supportive spaces for quality learning. Infrastructure improvements benefited 89,833 students through renovated classrooms, libraries, gender-inclusive latrines, and water points. ICT integration expanded across 21 schools, including full digitalization of 18 higher primary schools. Through scholastic material support and advocacy against harmful practices, 26,757 girls were supported to stay in school. In partnership with Education Champions, we scaled the Gender Safe School Bill to 6 Ethiopian regions. Our innovative Green-School Green Environment Program impacted 17,005 community members, including 1,447 school girls, by integrating early childhood education, WASH, nutrition, skills training, and livelihood support into the school system.
GIRLS’ AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT
Empowered 63,041 women and girls through Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Village Savings & Loan Associations (VSLAs), providing capital, financial literacy, entrepreneurship training, and networks.
Reached 34,677 adolescent girls with integrated SRH services, GBV/HTP prevention, and life skills education, reducing dropout rates and supporting scholarships.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND RENEWABLE ENERGY PROMOTION
ESD is a member of
- Core Humanitarian Standard Alliance,
- Her Choice Alliance,
- Consortium of Self-Help Approach Promoters (CoSAP),
- Consortium of Christian Relief and Development Association (CCRDA),
- Basic Education Network (BEN),
- Education in Emergency Cluster,
- Protection Cluster,
- Girls Not Brides,
- Male Engagement,
- National ECE Working Group,
- National ALP Working Group and other NGO forums in its operational areas.
ESD’s Unique Selling Value
- Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) is a women-led national NGO with over 17 years of proven impact across six regions of Ethiopia, empowering more than 1.66 million individuals (60% females).
- ESD delivers relevant, inclusive solutions across education, economic empowerment, child protection, youth employment, and emergency response, ensuring that communities not only recover — but thrive.
- Through scalable, gender-transformative, and climate-smart programs.
- Guided by a holistic Integrated Development Approach.
Governance and Leadership
- ESD’s Board of Directors is the highest decision making organ comprised of seven dedicated volunteer members from diverse professional backgrounds.
- ESD’s Management Team consists of Seven staff members. The team is led by the Executive Directress and assumes responsibility for overseeing the organization’s day-to-day operational activities. They play a crucial role in coordinating and managing various aspects of ESD’s work, ensuring smooth implementation of projects, and maintaining effective communication between different departments and offices.
Meet the Founder
The founder of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) is a visionary Ethiopian by birth and Swiss by citizenship. With a strong educational background and experience in international organizations, she became deeply moved by the struggles of women and children in Ethiopia’s rural areas during her field assignments.
In 2007, driven by a passion to create change, she established ESD to support these vulnerable communities. Since then, our initiative has transformed the lives of over 1.66 million Ethiopians (60% female). What began in the Amhara region has now expanded to six regions. Additionally, ESD has plans to reach even more.
Through strategic programs focused on education and women’s empowerment, we are committed to making a lasting impact. Join us in this journey to uplift communities and create a brighter future for all!
Founded in 2007, Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) is a passionate, women-led Ethiopian organization dedicated to transforming lives through community centered initiatives. We work to expand access to early childhood development, empower girls and women, and promote quality education for all. Our programs also focus on equipping youth with skills for employment and entrepreneurship, advancing environmental protection and renewable energy use, and providing timely emergency response and resilience support. At the heart of our work is a commitment to ensuring that children, youth, and women have the tools and opportunities they need to thrive in a just, equitable, and sustainable society.
Where we currently working
Target Groups
ESD has set a commitment to engage with and provide a range of services to various target groups such as:
- Disadvantaged Children, (0 to 18)
- Unemployed and, or Underemployed Youth
- Disadvantaged, Adolescent Girls and Women
- Internally Displaced People (IDPs)
My daughter loves school so much, she wants to go even on weekends. Thanks to ESD, we finally have a nearby place where our children can learn and play safely—and with joy.”
— Tirinigo Alemu, mother of a 4-year-old girl
I’m so happy to be back in school,” says Lidiya Bogale, a Grade 9 student whose dream of learning was nearly lost when poverty forced her to drop out—until the IGNITE Education Matters for Adolescent Girls project stepped in with the school supplies and support she desperately needed. Now, with a new uniform, exercise books, and weekly tutorials, Lidiya is not only back in class but thriving with renewed hope and confidence.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND RESILIENCE
Assisted 9,771 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and host community members, including 60% women and children, with protection, WASH, education, and nutrition services. Delivered livelihood recovery support to 2,696 individuals and protection services to 6,793 survivors.
Financial Sources
- In terms of funding, ESD relies predominantly on support from partners based in Switzerland, the Netherlands, the USA, and Ethiopia.
- These partners contribute approximately 85-90% of the organization’s total finances. The remaining 10-15% of financial resources are secured through community contributions, primarily in the form of in-kind donations, expertise, indigenous knowledge and labor.
Join Us in Our Mission!
Your support can help us continue our vital work and empower the next generation. Together, we can build a brighter, more sustainable future for all!
Join us in our commitment to transform lives and build a brighter, more resilient future for all!
ESD has 79 staff (41 female). It generates its funding from donors based in Switzerland, USA, Netherlands and Ethiopia which cover about 85-90% of the total finance and the rest 10-15% financial sources is covered through community contribution mainly in kind and labour.
Core Programmatic Intervention Areas
Early Childhood Development
- Early Childhood Care and Education
- Child protection
- WASH facility development
- Pedagogical center development
Women and Girl's empowerment
- Livelihood initiatives
- Youth sexual and reproductive health
- Leadership development
Quality Education
- Primary education focusing on quality improvement
- Intercultural education
- ICT for education
Youth Skills development and Job creation
- Entrepreneurship development
- Technical and Vocational Education and Training
- Leadership development
Environmental Protection and Renewable Energy
- Green livelihood
- Solar and biogas development
- Climate change resilience
Emergency Response and Recovery
- Humanitarian service
- Rehabilitation/social service
- Peace and stability development
Education in emergency
Wash, health, and nutrition
- Protection