The DAAD workshop is titled “Promoting the capacity of local actors for sustainable water supply, sanitation and environmental protection measures in East Africa “from 26th to 30th August 2024.

The participants of the workshop come from Germany, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and different universities in Ethiopia (ASTU, Hawassa, Jimma, Bair Dar and Addis Ababa Universities) along with relevant ministries. The workshop covers a wide range of environmental, water supply and sanitation issues.

The environmental challenges faced by East Africa are closely tied to its water and sanitation issues. Deforestation, land degradation, soil erosion, and the depletion of water resources are all consequences of unsustainable land-use practices, population pressure, and inadequate environmental governance. These environmental changes have far-reaching impacts on agriculture, biodiversity, and livelihoods, further straining the region's ability to cope with food insecurity, natural disasters, and climate change. The degradation of the ecosystems, such as forests, wetlands, and watersheds, not only diminishes the region's natural beauty but also threatens the availability of clean water and the sustainability of agriculture, which many communities depend on for survival.

Addressing these complex problems with a single blueprint intervention is not possible due to the diverse and interconnected nature of the challenges facing East Africa, such as inadequate access to clean water, poor sanitation, and environmental degradation. These issues are deeply rooted in various social, economic, cultural, and environmental factors that differ across regions, communities, and countries. Therefore, an approach that takes into account the multifaceted nature of these problems is necessary. Rather than implementing a one-size-fits-all solution, a holistic and integrated approach is required to effectively tackle these challenges in a sustainable and context-specific manner.

Professors from different countries and universities are presenting research findings relevant to the thematic area of the workshop, discussions are held and experiences are shared. Most importantly, the workshop provides opportunity for the participants to establish networking for further collaboration. Professor Alemayehu Gebissa from University of Rostock in Germany is the project leader and professor Mekonnen Ayana is the local coordinator.