Ethiopia is home to rich biodiversity, which is, however, strongly endangered despite the designated protected areas. The national institutions for the management of protected areas have not been able to effectively implement conservation policies. The GIZ program "Conservation and Sustainable Use of Natural Resources: Biodiversity, Ethiopia" supports the Ethiopian Government in improving the management of biodiversity and forest resources, whilst providing benefits for the local population. UNIQUE was commissioned in consortium with E.C.O. Institut für Ökologie for capacity development of the institutions responsible for the management of Sheka Biosphere Reserve and Chebera Churchura National Park. Key issues are the organizational development of partners at the local and regional level and the facilitation of multi stakeholder platforms

• Institutional strengthening of the Sheka Biosphere Reserve management.
• Implementation of the general management plan of Chebera Churchura National Park.
• Advice on participatory land use planning and participatory forest management.
• Consultation regarding income-generating activities with a value chain approach.
• Advice on community conservation, including addressing human wildlife conflict.
• Support for the monitoring of illegal activities in the core, buffer and transitional zones.