Title: Assessing the Role of Community Participation in the Success of Ethiopia's Green Legacy Initiative: Evidence from Sibu Sire Woreda, Oromia Regional State
Authors: Wakshum Bedassa Geleta and Workenh Eshatuu Sime
Volume: 10
Issue: 7
Pages: 155-166
Publication Date: 2026/07/28
Abstract:
The Green Legacy Initiative (GLI) has become a flagship environmental program in Ethiopia, aiming to restore degraded landscapes, enhance biodiversity, and promote sustainable economic development through large-scale tree planting. This study assessed the contribution of community participation in the Green Legacy Initiative to economic development in Sibu Sire Woreda, East Wollega Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. A mixed-methods research design was employed, integrating quantitative survey data from 198 respondents with qualitative data collected through key informant interviews. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses, including Pearson correlation, independent sample t-tests, and multiple regression analysis, were conducted using SPSS Version 24, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The findings revealed a high level of community awareness and participation in the initiative, primarily motivated by environmental conservation and government support. Community participation, supported by development agents, significantly contributed to environmental restoration, improved livelihoods, and local economic development. However, the effectiveness of the initiative was constrained by inadequate technical capacity, limited administrative support, insufficient training, weak monitoring systems, and climate-related challenges affecting tree survival. The study concludes that sustained community engagement, strengthened institutional support, enhanced capacity building, and effective monitoring mechanisms are essential for maximizing the socioeconomic and environmental benefits of the Green Legacy Initiative. The study recommends strengthening extension services, improving governance and stakeholder coordination, and integrating the initiative with broader rural development and climate resilience strategies to ensure its long-term sustainability.