Validation Workshop on the HU-GIZ-CDSDR III Project Conducted
A validation workshop for the project, “Evaluation and Documentation of Experiences in the Implementation of the Dry Valley Rehabilitation for Productive Use (DVRPU) Approach,” was successfully held on October 28, 2025, at Capital Hotel in Addis Ababa.
Organized by the GIZ–Capacity Development for Strengthened Drought Resilience (CDSDR III) program in partnership with Haramaya University (HU), the event aimed to validate the comprehensive assessment report prepared by HU’s expert team and integrate critical feedback from stakeholders. The validation is a crucial step for the project, which is being implemented by Haramaya University in collaboration with Jigjiga and Samara Universities.
Participants included representatives from governmental and non-governmental organizations, development partners, and higher education institutions actively engaged in dry valley rehabilitation across the country.
The workshop highlighted the government’s commitment to adopting evidence-based resilience strategies. Mr. Habtamu Hailu, representing Professor Eyasu Elias, State Minister for Natural Resources Management at the Ministry of Agriculture, announced that the Ministry has officially endorsed the DVRPU approach as part of the national Dryland Restoration Strategy.
Mr. Hailu emphasized that the rehabilitation of dry valleys is a cornerstone for achieving Ethiopia’s land restoration and food security goals, noting that successful implementation revives livelihoods, biodiversity, and hope for future generations. He specifically underscored the effectiveness of the Water Spreading Weir (WSW) technique and praised Haramaya University’s scientific rigor in leading the assessment in Afar and Somali regional states.
Mr. Sileshi Getahun, CDSDR III Project Policy & Central Component Manager, emphasized that the validation workshop was a crucial step in ensuring that scientific evidence and local knowledge shape Ethiopia’s drought resilience strategies. He stated that the DVRPU approach demonstrates how scientific innovation and traditional practices can synergistically rehabilitate degraded valleys.
Mr. Mike Bartels, Project Manager of the GIZ-CDSDR III Program, reaffirmed GIZ’s commitment to collaborative learning and stressed the importance of evidence-based evaluations in enhancing the sustainability of development interventions. He added that such workshops are vital for continuous improvement, enabling the building of systems that “last and make resilience a way of life, not an emergency response.”
Dr. Yesihak Yusuf, Vice President for Research and Community Engagement at Haramaya University, commended the event as a milestone in the University’s partnership with GIZ. He highlighted the rare and valuable practice of development partners involving universities in evaluating interventions, noting that this approach “strengthens both academia and practice in Ethiopia.”
Dr. Abdisa Jabesa, Expert Team Leader from Haramaya University, presented an overview of the project’s two main components. The first component—the evaluation of the DVRPU approach, is complete, reviewed by GIZ, and was presented for validation.
The second, equally vital component, involves the development of knowledge products. These outputs include course syllabi for integration into university and TVET curricula, guiding manuals for practitioners, and policy briefs. Dr. Abdisa confirmed that both components are nearing completion, and the final outputs will soon be submitted to GIZ for widespread dissemination and policy use.
The workshop successfully facilitated detailed presentations and roundtable discussions, during which stakeholders provided constructive feedback and practical recommendations. The event concluded with a shared commitment to using the validated results to guide future interventions. The evidence and insights generated will serve as a foundation for scaling up effective DVRPU models to enhance drought resilience and sustainable livelihoods across Ethiopia’s pastoral and agropastoral communities.
HU Public and International Relations Directorate
Tags: Academic Partnerships, Capacity Building, Climate Resilience, Development Workshop, Ethiopia Projects, GIZ Ethiopia, Haramaya University, HU-GIZ-CDSDR III, Project Validation, Regional Development, Research Collaboration, Sustainable Development, Validation Workshop