Ethiopia harbors ambitious goals to ascend to a middle-income status by 2025, which has led to a significant surge in the demand for both learning opportunities and job creation. In light of this, the British Council has been instrumental in facilitating various programs aimed at supporting Ethiopia's development. The social enterprise sector in Ethiopia is dynamic, characterized by youthful leadership and increasing participation from women.
However, the sector has historically faced limited institutional and financial support. To address this gap, the British Council initiated key research and support programs.
State of Social Enterprise Ethiopia Survey
The British Council's State of Social Enterprise Ethiopia Survey was a pioneering research endeavor designed to underscore the specific support needs within Ethiopia's social enterprise landscape. The survey formed the basis of policy dialogues convening Ministries, civil society and investors. When a State of Emergency was declared in October 2016, the British Council adapted its data collection approach to ensure the project's continuation.
At early policy summits we shared learnings from our work in Ghana on how its government is supporting social enterprise.
Ethiopia Social Enterprise Programme (2018-21)
Building on the insights from the survey and policy dialogues, the British Council launched the Ethiopia Social Enterprise Programme (2018-21). Following the success of the pilot we launched the Ethiopia Social Enterprise Programme (2018-21) and inspired other countries in the region, notably Sudan, to launch social enterprise programmes of their own. This program has been instrumental in securing the Social Enterprise World Forum for Ethiopia in 2019, marking the first time this global event was held in a developing country.
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Our work in Sub-Saharan Africa is creating opportunities for young people to fulfil their potential and improve their employability and resilience. In this programme we used our global network to facilitate successful partnerships.
These included social enterprises, institutions and networks in the UK and Ethiopia; such as the UK’s Social Enterprise Academy (SEA) with General Wingate College, or Bethnal Green Ventures' collaboration with Reach for Change.
The British Council's initiatives extend beyond Ethiopia, encompassing a range of global programs aimed at skills development, climate action, and digital inclusion.
Global Programs
We are currently facilitating a number of programmes around the world. The list below is a sample of just a few.
Climate Skills
Climate Skills is a global programme empowering youth in Brazil, Mexico, Indonesia, India, and Viet Nam to lead the transition to a greener future. Since 2024, we've trained 2,600+ young people, supported 665 facilitators, and held 132 events. The programme looks to engage young people in more effective and inclusive technical and vocational education (TVET) by providing opportunities for young people to develop their soft business skills for job creation. On this programme, we worked with youth media outlets and environmental Civil Society organisations (CSOs) to amplify youth voices and awareness on environmental issues. Our aim was to produce high quality environmental and gender sensitive solutions with young people.
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Youth Roles in Climate Action Initiatives| Youth Leadership in Climate Advocacy & Sustainable Future
Skills for Inclusive Digital Participation (SIDP)
Skills for Inclusive Digital Participation (SIDP) creates opportunities for digitally excluded individuals to develop the skills they need to participate fully in the digital economy and in wider society by providing skills training and information on relevant opportunities. The project is currently running in Indonesia, Kenya and Nigeria.
Investment Climate Reform (ICR) Facility
The Investment Climate Reform (ICR) Facility supports public and private stakeholders in African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries to improve their investment climate and business environment.
These programs exemplify the British Council's commitment to fostering sustainable development, empowering youth, and promoting inclusive growth on a global scale.
| Programme | Focus Area | Geographic Reach |
|---|---|---|
| Ethiopia Social Enterprise Programme | Social Enterprise Development | Ethiopia |
| Climate Skills | Youth Empowerment, Green Transition | Brazil, Mexico, Indonesia, India, Viet Nam |
| Skills for Inclusive Digital Participation (SIDP) | Digital Skills Development | Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria |
| Investment Climate Reform (ICR) Facility | Investment Climate Improvement | African, Caribbean, Pacific (ACP) countries |
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