MELCA Mahiber - Ethiopia

MELCA (Movement for Ecological Learning and Community Action) was founded in 2004 by a group of environmental practitioners and lawyers. The organization arose out of their shared concern about the erosion and destruction of biodiversity and culture in Ethiopia. The word melca also means ‘ford’ in the Amharic and Oromo languages. It is a crossing point on a river, and is used symbolically to indicate the need to take people to a greater understanding and appreciation of traditional ecological knowledge.

The organization is registered with the Federal Ministry of Justice, certificate No. 1918 of 2004. It has a General Assembly led by Dr. Tewolde Berhan Gebre Egziabher, and a Board led by Dr. Melaku Worede. There are currently 8 members of staff including programme officers, administration and accounting.

MELCA’s Vision is: ‘To see empowered communities conserve their bio-cultural diversity and strengthen their livelihoods for a healthy ecosystem and society.’ Their mission is ‘Working for the revival and enhancement of bio-cultural diversity and realization of sustainable livelihood in Ethiopia through research, environmental education, participatory mapping, endogenous development and conservation of ecosystems.

It currently works with local communities, elders, schools and youth in the Sheka Forest region in southeast Ethiopia, the Bale Mountains National Park, and Menagesha Suba forest near to Addis Ababa. MELCA is also a regional node for the African Biodiversity Network.

Director: Million Belay

Contact:
Haile Gebresilasie Building
2nd Floor, Room No. 209
Haile Gebresilassie Avenue
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 6638736
Fax: +251 11 6638138
E-mail: melca@ethionet.et

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