Addis Ababa (ILO News) - The ILO Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) on “Addressing Drivers and Facilitating Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration in the Contexts of Disasters and Climate Change in the IGAD Region” conducted validation workshop in Dessie with stakeholders from local government, community representatives and unions back in December.

The workshop introduced MPTF project and what it intends to achieve to the participants. It also helped in identifying & prioritising models to promote green jobs for potential migrants, returnees & IDPs as well as regulate migratory activities while creating green decent jobs for communities.

The stakeholders discussed on Market System Analysis on Green Jobs & Entrepreneurship Opportunities to identify priority areas of focus for the development of intervention models of the project in the bid to create green, sustainable jobs for potential migrants, returnees and internally displace people.

Speaking at the opening session, Ephrem Getnet, Chief Technical Adviser at the ILO said: “The ILO is committed to work with its partners and stakeholders for the successful implementation of this program that promotes green jobs for potential migrants, returnees & IDPs. Please take note that your role is instrumental in bringing this to a success.”

As the main goal of the workshop was to validate a market system analysis study on green jobs and entrepreneurship opportunities which has been carried out by a team of independent consultants, the workshop has served as a platform to consult stakeholders to identify priority areas of focus and inform the development of intervention models.

Accordingly, seven potential sectors and were subsectors identified as entry point to promote green jobs that include solar goods and improved cookstoves, small ruminant fattening, mung bean production, vegetable production, poultry. These were prioritised according to the needs of the targt population based on consultations with the stakeholders.
One of the participants, Dr. Mohammed, from Kalu Woreda told us what he thinks about the initiative: “Projects like Multi-Partner Trust Fund for Regular Migration in the IGAD region will benefit migrants and migrant returnees in our localities through climate resilient green jobs.”

Kalu Woreda is a highly populated district with high number of people migrating as a result of loss of productivity in farming due to climate change. At the same time, we have high number of migrant returnees here. Hence, this project will have a huge significance in terms of creating green jobs for our youth and supporting our efforts of tackling irregular migration that is mainly being cause by unemployment, said Dr. Mohammed.

Hussen Endris Abdu is migrant returnee who took part in the validation workshop and stressed the importance of creating jobs locally so that unemployed young people don’t go through the horrific experiences of illegally migration like he did. He said: “I have suffered enough in the middle east for nothing. I have risked my life, worked so hard but as I was illegal in my country of destination, I wasn’t able to posses anything. I am now working on poultry in my home village and earning well from the chicken and eggs I bring to the market. I also have my freedom and pride back. With potential support I could get from projects like this, I can even create more jobs for my fellow young people here.”

Addressing the participants, Biruhalem Gebremeskel, ILO’s National Programme Officer said: “this project belongs to you, the stakeholders and can only make real changes if it is implemented with your active participation based on your needs and interests. The ILO will support you in leading and guiding its implementation based on the findings of the studies conducted and with continuous consultations with the stakeholders.”

“What makes this project particularly interesting is that, we’re not just aiming to create jobs for those who need it but we’re aiming to find ways where people can have climate resilient jobs that can sustainably support people’s livelihoods to stay in their vicinity while protecting the environment”, added Biruhalem.