Lensa Girma

Ethiopia Coordinator Yalta

Lensa girma

ethiopia coordinator yalta

Lensa Girma is Ethiopia coordinator for YALTA, and has contributed to setting up a coalition working on topics including acid soils, issues around the use of GMOs, and soil health. At the core of the coalition’s success is the fact that the issues and topics for action are provided by the community. ‘The coalition raises awareness among farmers. We explained to them why their soils were less fertile, and what they could do about it. And so, they were better able to advocate for their needs’, says Girma.

It’s not all been smooth sailing though. ‘When it comes to the government, there are many things you cannot control, like changes in power or budget shifts because of the war in the north. You need patience, perseverance and adaptability. But being able to influence the government and get them to adjust policies has been a major success for the coalition’. 

Youth has been a strong focus of the coalition. Whether through job creation in lime production, awareness raising regarding soil issues, or by involving youth in advocacy from the start, this group has benefited from the results. 

Lensa has learnt a lot from the work, and is ready to share the wisdom: 

• Focus on developments on the ground, and how the topic relates to existing policies and frameworks.
• Make sure you have the right people at the table, for the coalition and the specific topic at hand.
• Raise awareness. Once the topic is better understood, the working groups will work on solutions. 
• Agree on what the word coalition means.This word can sometimes be confusing or have a negative political connotation. 
• Get community involvement. Allow the community at large to suggest topics, and work together on them. 

Lensa Girma

Ethiopia Coordinator Yalta

Lensa Girma is Ethiopia coordinator for YALTA, and has contributed to setting up a coalition working on topics including acid soils, issues around the use of GMOs, and soil health. At the core of the coalition’s success is the fact that the issues and topics for action are provided by the community. ‘The coalition raises awareness among farmers. We explained to them why their soils were less fertile, and what they could do about it. And so, they were better able to advocate for their needs’, says Girma.

It’s not all been smooth sailing though. ‘When it comes to the government, there are many things you cannot control, like changes in power or budget shifts because of the war in the north. You need patience, perseverance and adaptability. But being able to influence the government and get them to adjust policies has been a major success for the coalition’. 

Youth has been a strong focus of the coalition. Whether through job creation in lime production, awareness raising regarding soil issues, or by involving youth in advocacy from the start, this group has benefited from the results. 

Lensa has learnt a lot from the work, and is ready to share the wisdom: 

• Focus on developments on the ground, and how the topic relates to existing policies and frameworks.
• Make sure you have the right people at the table, for the coalition and the specific topic at hand.
• Raise awareness. Once the topic is better understood, the working groups will work on solutions. 
• Agree on what the word coalition means.This word can sometimes be confusing or have a negative political connotation. 
• Get community involvement. Allow the community at large to suggest topics, and work together on them.