Empowering change through learning

Fabo Learning Lab in Ethiopia

At the beginning of June, representatives from the Learning Lab—Runa Midtvåge, Senior Learning Advisor and Gry Zierau, Visual Design Lead —embarked on a meaningful journey to Ethiopia. Over the course of a dynamic and inspiring week, the Lab team engaged deeply with project partners, exchanged knowledge, and witnessed first-hand the transformative impact of community-led resilience initiatives in the Bale and East Bale Zones of Oromia Region.

This visit was part of the Addressing Impacts of Climate Change and Displacement and Promotion of Preparedness and Early Action at the Horn of Africa project. The project, led by DanChurchAid Ethiopia in consortium with the Danish Red Cross, the Swiss Red Cross (SCR), Action For Development (AFD), Afar Pastoralist Development Association (APDA), Ethiopian Red Cross Society, and Somali Red Crescent Society (SRCS), addresses the compounded challenges of climate change, conflict, and displacement in Ethiopia and Somalia. Working with trusted local partners, the project empowers communities in Tigray, Afar, Oromia, Somali (Ethiopia), and Puntland (Somalia) to become more resilient and better prepared for crises.

A week of collaboration, learning, and field engagement

The week-long workshop kicked off with a series of rich presentations by consortium partners, spotlighting key achievements, lessons learned, and current challenges. These exchanges laid the groundwork for deeper collaboration and mutual understanding across country and organisational lines.

The objective of the second day was capturing and sharing learning through reflection and storytelling. In addition the Fabo team facilitated a hands-on training session focused on the use of the project’s dedicated learning hub on Fabo. This practical engagement helped ensure that project staff and partners could navigate and contribute to the hub as a living space for learning, sharing, and reflection.

The third and fourth days took participants into the field, with visits to Berbere District in Bale Zone and Dawe Kachen District in East Bale Zone. Here, participants observed the project’s tangible grassroots impact, including:

• Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) empowering women and marginalised groups

• Consumer cooperatives fostering economic independence

• Green energy initiatives, such as solar-powered irrigation systems

• Restocking efforts supporting livelihoods

• Watershed and pond construction improving access to water

Each site visit offered vivid insight into how community knowledge and local ownership are driving positive, sustainable change.

Concluding with collective reflection

The final day brought everyone back together for a session of reflection and forward planning. Participants shared feedback on the field visits and discussed how to further strengthen the use of the Fabo learning hub as a resource for collective growth and knowledge sharing. The week ended with renewed energy and a shared sense of purpose, inspired by the resilience and ingenuity of the communities visited.

Supporting learning across borders

The Fabo Learning Lab’s engagement is a reflection of our commitment to building bridges—across geographies, organisations, and sectors. By fostering a culture of learning, we support those on the front lines of change to document their experiences, share insights, and amplify what works.

Together with DCA, the Danish Red Cross, the Swiss Red Cross (SCR) and an incredible network of local partners—Action For Development (AFD), Afar Pastoralist Development Association (APDA), Ethiopian Red Cross Society, and Somali Red Crescent Society (SRCS)—we are proud to be part of this journey.