Report on the Transition to Sustainable Community Conservation in Ethiopia’s Tama Community Conservation Area (TCCA)

Introduction

The Tama Community Conservation Area (TCCA) in Ethiopia, the country’s largest community conservation initiative, has faced significant challenges following the abrupt cessation of USAID funding in early 2025. Established in 2022 with an $8.5 million grant from USAID’s BIOM project, TCCA had demonstrated notable progress in environmental conservation and community empowerment. This report highlights the ongoing efforts to align TCCA’s conservation and community development goals with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasizing the critical need for sustainable financing, local governance, and technical support.

Background and Achievements

1. Conservation Progress: The TCCA has successfully reduced illegal hunting and deforestation across 197,000 hectares, contributing to the recovery of elephant and giraffe populations, thereby supporting SDG 15 (Life on Land).
2. Community Empowerment: Several Indigenous communities gained legal rights to manage their ancestral lands, fostering inclusive governance and promoting SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).
3. Job Creation and Livelihoods: The project generated employment opportunities, contributing to SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

Impact of Funding Withdrawal

• The sudden USAID funding cut in January 2025 led to operational disruptions, including staff reductions and suspension of conservation patrols.
• Increased illegal hunting and deforestation activities have been reported, threatening biodiversity and undermining SDG 15.
• Rumors of land grabbing have caused insecurity among local communities, affecting social cohesion and SDG 16.

Community-Led Response and Self-Sufficiency Efforts

In response to funding challenges, local leaders and the TCCA council are implementing strategies to achieve financial self-sufficiency and sustain conservation efforts:

• Establishment of a Governing Body: A council representing each kebele (local administrative unit) has been formed to serve as the main decision-making authority, enhancing community participation and governance (SDG 16).
• Income-Generating Initiatives: Plans include developing ecotourism, sustainable game and trophy hunting, and other ventures to generate revenue, supporting SDG 8 and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
• Infrastructure Development: The community has initiated the setup of an operational office to coordinate activities and access external support.

Role of Non-Governmental Support

Cool Ground, a nonprofit organization, has intervened with local funding to maintain conservation operations temporarily until September 2025. Their focus includes:

• Maintaining critical conservation patrols and staff engagement.
• Facilitating community engagement and capacity building for sustainable management.
• Seeking emergency funding and technical assistance to bridge operational gaps.

Challenges and Risks

The TCCA faces several obstacles that could impede its transition to self-reliance, including:

• Poverty and Food Insecurity: These socio-economic challenges threaten community stability and conservation commitment (SDG 1 and SDG 2 – Zero Hunger).
• Conflict and Climate Change: Ongoing conflicts and environmental stresses exacerbate vulnerabilities, impacting SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 16.
• Weak Infrastructure and Limited Technical Capacity: The absence of a fully functional office, expert staff, and resources hampers effective management and income generation.

Opportunities for Sustainable Development

1. Leveraging Indigenous Knowledge: The integration of Indigenous cultural heritage and sustainable practices offers a foundation for ecotourism and conservation aligned with SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 15.
2. Government and Partner Support: Regional authorities are exploring budget allocations and partnerships to support TCCA’s operational needs, fostering SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
3. Capacity Building: Emphasis on strengthening local institutions and governance structures to ensure long-term sustainability and community empowerment (SDG 16).

Conclusion and Recommendations

The Tama Community Conservation Area exemplifies the potential of community-led conservation to contribute to multiple Sustainable Development Goals. However, the abrupt withdrawal of external funding has exposed vulnerabilities in achieving self-sufficiency. To secure the future of TCCA and similar initiatives, the following actions are recommended:

• Provision of targeted technical assistance and capacity-building programs to strengthen local governance and operational management.
• Development of diversified and sustainable income streams, including ecotourism and sustainable resource use, to reduce dependency on external funding.
• Enhanced collaboration between government agencies, NGOs, and international partners to provide transitional financial support and infrastructure development.
• Integration of Indigenous knowledge and cultural heritage into conservation and development strategies to promote inclusive and sustainable outcomes.

These measures will advance the achievement of SDGs related to environmental sustainability, poverty reduction, and strong institutions, ensuring that the TCCA remains a model for community-driven conservation in Ethiopia and beyond.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 1: No Poverty – The article discusses poverty and the community’s efforts to become financially self-sufficient through income-generating initiatives.
2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger – Food insecurity is mentioned as a challenge facing the community.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – The community aims to build clinics and improve health facilities using income generated.
4. SDG 4: Quality Education – The article mentions the need to build schools and improve access to education.
5. SDG 13: Climate Action – Climate challenges impacting the conservation area are highlighted.
6. SDG 15: Life on Land – Central to the article is the conservation of biodiversity, protection of wildlife (elephants, giraffes), and sustainable land management.
7. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – The establishment of community councils and governance structures to manage the conservation area is discussed.
8. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The article emphasizes the importance of external technical and financial support, partnerships with NGOs, government, and donors.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs

1. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • Target 1.4: Ensure equal rights to economic resources, ownership and control over land and natural resources.
   • Target 1.5: Build resilience of the poor and vulnerable to climate-related extreme events and other shocks.
2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • Target 2.1: End hunger and ensure access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including access to quality essential health-care services.
4. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Target 4.1: Ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education.
5. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.
6. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Target 15.1: Ensure conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, forests, and biodiversity.
   • Target 15.2: Promote sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests.
   • Target 15.5: Take urgent action to reduce degradation of natural habitats, halt biodiversity loss.
7. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
   • Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making.
8. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Target 17.6: Enhance North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international cooperation on access to science, technology and innovation.
   • Target 17.9: Enhance international support for implementing effective and targeted capacity-building in developing countries.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Wildlife Population Metrics
   • Increase in elephant and giraffe populations as indicators of biodiversity conservation success (SDG 15).
2. Illegal Hunting and Deforestation Rates
   • Reduction or increase in illegal hunting and deforestation activities as indicators of environmental stewardship and sustainable land use (SDG 15).
3. Community Income Generation
   • Establishment and revenue generated from ecotourism, game hunting, and other sustainable ventures as indicators of financial self-sufficiency and poverty reduction (SDG 1).
4. Institutional Development
   • Formation and functioning of community councils and operational offices as indicators of strong institutions and governance (SDG 16).
5. Access to Basic Services
   • Number of clinics, schools, and water facilities built or improved as indicators of health, education, and well-being progress (SDG 3 and SDG 4).
6. External Support and Capacity Building
   • Level of technical and financial assistance received from government and NGOs as an indicator of partnerships and capacity-building (SDG 17).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: news.mongabay.com