February 2nd, 2022, Waterloo, ON – Today, MEDA launched its ATTSVE project learning series. This learning series contains valuable insights from the ATTSVE project, which ran for eight years, and MEDA activities concluded in December 2021. The ATTSVE project aimed to increase the number of men and women graduates from ATVET Institutions in the Nejo, Woreta, Wolaita Soddo, and Maichew regions of Ethiopia with the skills and knowledge needed to work in the commercial agriculture sector of Ethiopia.
Since 2014, MEDA partnered with Dalhousie University, McGill University, and Jimma University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine (JUCAVM) to implement this project, funded by Global Affairs Canada. MEDA was the project lead for business, entrepreneurship, and value chain development focused on strengthening the educational and economic capacities of the targeted Agricultural Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ATVET) Institutions by providing
- Business advising and Innovation Fund Grants to ATVETs and graduating students to promote sustainable and replicable income-generating activities
- Strengthening industry linkages to facilitate skills development, enabling practical learning opportunities for students in appropriate sectors through facilitation of cooperative placements
- Curriculum development in value chain and business management
The ATTSVE Learning Series is the sixth learning series that MEDA has released. It follows the launch of MEDA’s five other learning series: Improving Market Opportunities for Women (IMOW), Strengthening Small Business Value Chains (SSBVC), The Greater Rural Opportunities for Women in Ghana (GROW), Nigeria Youth Entrepreneurship and Women’s Empowerment (WAY), and the Jordan Valley Links (JVL) Learning Series.
The ATTSVE project’s Senior Project Manager, Ashlea Webber, underscores the importance of skills development to build livelihoods for Ethiopian youth and their communities.
“Entrepreneurship and self-employment are essential pathways for youth entering the workforce in Ethiopia, bringing numerous benefits to themselves and their communities. We invite you to read through the key learnings from our eight years of work on this project, sharing from our experience and navigating unexpected challenges.”
Ashlea Webber, Senior Project Manager, ESCA Programs, MEDA
Project quick facts:
- Funder: Global Affairs Canada
- Partners: Dalhousie University, McGill University, and Jimma University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine
- Project Length: 2014-2021
ATTSVE Key Learning series areas include:
- ATVET Income Generation through On-campus Businesses
- Establishing Successful Student Start-Up Businesses
- Industry Engagement through Cooperative Placement Programs
- Market-Driven Business, Entrepreneurship, and Value Chain Curriculum Development
ATTSVE achievements to date:
- 4 ATVETs started 8 on-campus businesses
- 272 students established 62 start-up businesses
- 2,580 students participated in co-op work placements.
MEDA’s ATTSVE Learning Series shares best practices and key learnings from our partnerships and programs in Ethiopia, amplifying the voices and perceptions of our clients. Click here or email for more information.
