Environment
Environment – Protect & Restore
Our world is one; what takes place in one part of the world can affect another part unjustly but powerfully. Climate change is one such matter. Even though a farmer or livestock herder in Africa contributes the least to the emissions causing climate change, and he/she might have the least ecological footprint, the person is adversely impacted as seas gets warmer and their levels rise, and as weather patterns such as rain and drought becomes more unpredictable. Likewise, as urbanization is rapidly taking place in our countries of operation, green lungs – trees of the cities – may give way to new infrastructures and waste management becomes a sanitary hurdle to many developing nations. We are determined to create our green legacy by various interventions; tree planting, green innovations, promoting proper waste management and symbiotic actions that gathers various stakeholders to tackle issues at hand for our growing cities.
Addis Ababa City Park Project
Addis Ababa is one of the fastest growing cities in Africa. The rapid urbanization has not been able to accommodate all the needs of it’s citizens in regards of physical recreational facilities. Although many important steps have been taken in recent years to greenify and beautify the city, with three major parks have been established, the city is currently not offering green recreational spaces in every sub-city. From Elnet Foundation we are planning to support the green legacy by establishing mini-city parks which will include playground for children, outdoor gym, traditional coffee huts (so called “tukuls”) and natural environments for people, young and adults alike, to spend time outdoors. The mini-city parks will function as income generating opportunities for micro-enterprises who will run the coffee places and the management of the city-parks. We are currently establishing the location of the first park, and are hopeful that we will be able to upscale this to every sub-city in Addis Ababa.
Tree Planting
Tree planting is not only our obligation towards the future generation; it can also be fun learning opportunity for young people to care for their environment! We are planning to donate fruit trees to a number of selected primary schools in Addis Ababa and in the regions, where the most successful schools will receive a reward for keeping the highest number of seedlings alive during the school year! We are also planning to organize university students to plant their Green Legacy by recognizing their efforts and in addition by linking nursery mini enterprises with relevant companies (e.g. bamboo furniture making companies and alike). Our ecological efforts is ensuring that we do not only plant trees; we create awareness, we promote the survival of the trees that have been planted and we do this is a sustainable way for the tree to survive and thrive.
Sustainable Waste Management in Major Cities for Healthy and Safe Living
Sustainable waste management systems are a key for the sustainable growth of urban centers and cities. Growing land fills, drained rivers and chemical pollution of soils threaten our health and eco systems. That is why we are exploring options to support min-enterprises that works on recycling of plastic bottles, metal cans and hazardous waste, such as computers and batteries. Unmanaged waste can be a threat to public health and safety, but waste can also prove to be an income generating opportunity if it is well planned and cared for. We are looking into innovative compost solutions in addition to our recycling efforts, and we are looking forward to see how waste can become a sustainable source of income for no- or low income takers, whilst saving our planet.
