With the support of SOS Children's Villages Switzerland and Swiss donors, SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia has officially launched new multi-regional Family and Community Strengthening (FCS) projects designed to create an enabling environment for the holistic development of children and young people. The projects aim to ensure that children and young people grow up in nurturing family care, free from vulnerability and the risk of family separation, and will be implemented over a period of three to four years.
The launch event was held on February 19, 2026, at the Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa, bringing together government officials, development partners, regional representatives, civil society actors, and members of the diplomatic community.
The Family and Community Strengthening portfolio supported by SOS Switzerland and Swiss donors consists of eight aligned projects. Six of these, three new initiatives and three extended projects were officially launched and will be implemented across Amhara, Oromia, and Sidama. Two additional ongoing projects in Somali and Central Ethiopia, funded by the same donors and sharing the same objectives, remain part of the broader portfolio. Collectively, the initiatives are expected to reach nearly 420,000 people directly and indirectly.
Through integrated interventions in livelihood, education, health, positive parenting, child protection, and capacity building of community-based organizations, the projects aim to strengthen families’ resilience, address the root causes of vulnerability, and prevent unnecessary child-family separation.
The event opened with a media briefing led by Mr. Sahlemariam Abebe, Multi-Country Director for SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia and South Sudan; Mr. Ebisa Jaleta, Deputy National Director; and Mr. Lijalem Baileyegn, Fund Development and Communications Director. The leadership team outlined the strategic objectives of the portfolio and how it builds on the organization’s long-standing experience in family and community strengthening.
In his remarks, Mr. Sahlemariam highlighted that family breakdown is often driven by interconnected challenges such as economic hardship, social instability, and weak protection systems. He noted that the new projects are designed to reinforce families’ caregiving capacity, enhance resilience to shocks, and safeguard every child’s right to grow up in a stable and nurturing home. He also expressed appreciation to SOS Switzerland, Swiss donors, and government and civil society partners for their continued collaboration.
Delivering the keynote address, H.E. Ms. Rascha Osman, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Switzerland in Ethiopia, reaffirmed the strong and evolving partnership between Switzerland and Ethiopia in advancing inclusive social development. She underscored the importance of locally driven, multi-sectoral approaches to protect vulnerable children and families and emphasized that investing in family and community strengthening is a sustainable pathway to long-term social stability.
Regional representatives from Sidama, Amhara, and Oromia welcomed the expansion of the initiatives and acknowledged the positive impact of previous interventions in their communities.
Guest of Honor, H.E. Huria Ali, State Minister of Women and Social Affairs, emphasized that families form the foundation of national development. She noted that supporting and empowering families is a shared responsibility and a critical priority for sustainable social progress.
A detailed project overview was presented by Mr. Tsegaye Dejene, Program Location Director of SOS Children’s Village Hawassa Programme Location, outlining the objectives, implementation strategies, and long-term vision of the initiatives.
The presentation was followed by a panel discussion featuring Mr. Tsegaye Dejene, Mr. Meseret Gizachew, Program Location Director of SOS Children’s Village Bahir Dar, and Mr. Lijalem Baileyegn. The discussion reinforced the community-driven and locally anchored nature of the projects.
In his closing remarks, H.E. Mr. Fassikaw Molla, Deputy Director General of the FDRE Authority for Civil Society Organizations, commended the projects for aligning with national development priorities, their evidence-based design, strong focus on capacity building for community-based organizations, and embedded sustainability measures.
The kick-off workshop brought together more than 50 participants, demonstrating strong stakeholder commitment and multi-sectoral collaboration.
Through these multi-regional Family and Community Strengthening projects, SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia continues to invest in integrated and sustainable solutions that protect children, strengthen families, and empower communities, contributing to a future where every child can grow up protected, cared for, and supported within a nurturing family environment.