EEPA and PMC-E Join Forces to Promote Environmental Protection in Ethiopia
Population Media Center-Ethiopia (PMC-E) and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Environment Protection Authority (EEPA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on environmental protection issues. This MoU aims to establish the understanding between the parties with respect to their roles and obligations in the preparation and submission of proposals of a consortium nature in Ethiopia, identifying and securing funding for projects, and implementing the projects. The parties intend to work together to find and secure funding and implement projects in Ethiopia that ensure environmental protection and the objectives of FDRE.
PMC-E, a communications NGO working in Ethiopia since 2001 and specializing in social and behavior change communications, aims to address environmental protection issues through social behavior change (SBC) media campaigns. On the other hand, EEPA, an agency of the Federal Ethiopian Government that is tasked with developing a system that ensures environmental safety. The two organizations see themselves as complementary environmentally-minded partners that can help empower Ethiopians to better understand and respond to environmental issues.
As part of their collaboration, the parties shall jointly organize symposiums, seminars, workshops, and trainings with the support of donor funding. They shall also work together towards the prevention and management of air, water, and soil pollution and other environmental threats to human health and ecosystems. The transfer or exchange of scientific and technical information in the field of environmental protection for the improvement of the parties’ respective work is also part of their obligation.
To achieve their objectives, the parties agreed to cooperate based on practical, cost-effective, and timely principles. The MoU does not affect the parties’ rights to carry out their respective legal responsibilities and obligations and creates no additional legal obligations. The MoU recognizes existing agreements, frameworks, and arrangements each party may have with other groups and individuals and recognizes the right of the parties to enter into future agreements, frameworks, and arrangements.
EEPA shall give input into the program design and written proposals as it relates to EEPA’s expertise. It shall also help PMC-E to explore funding opportunities from donors, embassies, and international NGOs for the realization of its plans as stated in this MoU. PMC-E shall lead the program design and written proposal as it relates to PMC’s respective program area. It shall assume responsibility for preparing concept notes/proposals, budgets, and related documentation, subject to the necessary input from EEPA.
Together, the parties shall seek funding from donors for the purposes of funding PMC-EEPA joint projects, including the “Mobilizing Media to Protect the Environment” (Journalist Capacity Building Program), and others. They shall also explore and cooperate to design programs and implement activities that ensure environmental protection and the objectives of FDRE. Furthermore, they shall use influence and cooperation to encourage interactions and foster collaborations among like-minded environmental stakeholders, other partners, experts, and create awareness through the media about the environment and climate changes.
This collaboration between PMC-E and EEPA is a significant step towards addressing environmental protection issues in Ethiopia. The parties are committed to working together to promote environmental protection and to achieve their objectives. They will continue to cooperate and exchange information to ensure the successful implementation of their joint projects.
