PADet is committed to promoting sustainable and inclusive livelihoods that enable vulnerable youth, women, and smallholder farmers to achieve economic independence and long-term resilience. Recognizing that poverty and food insecurity are deeply interconnected, PADet works to strengthen local food systems, enhance productivity, and expand opportunities for decent work and entrepreneurship.
Our livelihood programs focus on building the skills, confidence, and capacity of individuals and communities to secure reliable incomes while promoting environmental sustainability. Through partnerships with government institutions, development agencies, and local organizations, PADet integrates livelihood support with climate-smart agriculture and gender-responsive programming—ensuring that economic empowerment goes hand-in-hand with environmental stewardship.
Our Approach
Skills Development and Employability: Providing youth and women with practical vocational and entrepreneurship training that enhances job readiness and promotes self-employment.
Access to Finance and Markets: Supporting smallholder farmers and entrepreneurs through linkages to microfinance institutions, cooperatives, and value chains.
Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resource Management: Promoting climate-resilient agricultural practices, watershed management, and environmental protection to sustain livelihoods and food security.
Community Resilience and Disaster Preparedness: Strengthening the ability of vulnerable households to adapt to economic and environmental shocks.
Inclusive Growth: Ensuring women and marginalized groups are equally represented and benefit from livelihood opportunities and decision-making processes.
Our Track Record
Youth Livelihood and Resilience Project
Implemented in partnership with USAID/BHA, this project enhances the employability and resilience of vulnerable youth through vocational training, financial literacy, and business start-up support. Participants gain practical skills in trades such as mechanics, tailoring, carpentry, and small-scale agriculture. The program also provides mentorship, seed funding, and job placement assistance—helping young people transition from dependency to self-reliance and economic participation.
Integrated Watershed Management Program
This initiative supports environmental conservation and sustainable agricultural development by promoting soil and water management, small-scale irrigation, and reforestation. PADet works with communities to restore degraded lands, increase agricultural productivity, and build resilience to climate change. The program not only improves food security but also strengthens local ownership of natural resources and fosters long-term ecological balance.
Women’s Savings and Credit Cooperatives
PADet facilitates the establishment of women-led savings and credit cooperatives that provide access to credit, business training, and collective financial management. These cooperatives empower rural women to start and expand small businesses, improve household incomes, and invest in their children’s education and wellbeing. By fostering solidarity and economic cooperation, the program also strengthens women’s voice and leadership within their communities.
Our Impact
Through its sustainable livelihoods and food systems programs, PADet has supported thousands of women, youth, and smallholder farmers across Ethiopia to build more secure and resilient futures. Our initiatives have:
Increased income and self-employment opportunities for youth and women.
Improved agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability.
Enhanced community access to markets, credit, and value chains.
Strengthened household resilience against economic and climate-related shocks.
By integrating economic empowerment, environmental protection, and community resilience, PADet is helping to create sustainable food systems that not only feed families but also sustain livelihoods for generations to come.