In an inspiring show of unity, commitment, and unwavering belief in a better future, SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia marked a milestone. The official kick-off of the European Union-funded 'Practice Peace and Live in Tranquility' project (2024–2027) took place on April 10, 2025, at the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel, bringing together stakeholders, changemakers, and visionaries dedicated to fostering peace and harmony within Ethiopia.
Despite the deep cultural, linguistic, and religious ties that connect Afar, Oromia, and Somali regions, these communities have suffered through more than two decades of recurring intercommunal conflict fuelled over natural resources like land and water, political grievances, and ethnic divisions that continue to challenge stability and development in the area.
To help change this trajectory, SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia, in collaboration with key implementing partners the German Foundation for World Population (DSW) and the Population Health Environment Ethiopia Consortium (PHE-EC) has launched a €2M project aimed at preventing, mitigating, and reducing such conflicts in the border areas of the three regions aiming to reach 45,679 project beneficiaries directly and 782,166 indirectly.
The kick-off event began with an exclusive media briefing, where the country directors of the three implementing organizations each shared their organization’s role in the project and highlighted the collaborative effort behind it.
Following the press release, a large assembly of esteemed guests from ministry and regional government offices, project staff, and civic actors filled the hall for the official kick-off.
Mr. Sahlemariam Abebe, Executive Director of SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia and South Sudan opened the event with a welcoming address, thanking participants for their presence and outlining the project briefly.
The state minister at the FDRE Ministry of Peace, Dr. Kairedin Tezera, delivered the official opening speech, emphasizing the importance and timeliness of the project and reaffirming the ministry’s office full support for its implementation.
Following him, European Union Delegate Mr. Teriessa Jalleta took the stage to highlight European Unions' ongoing commitment to peacebuilding in Ethiopia. Speaking about the importance of such projects, pointing out other high-impact peace projects currently being supported by the European Union in Ethiopia.
Guest of Honour, Dr. Ergoge Tesfaye, Minister of Women and Social Affairs, then took the stage to deliver an inspiring message centred around hope and collaboration. Emphasizing that these two pillars must guide the project’s impact, so that children, women, and youth can transition from being vulnerable populations to empowered agents of change within their communities and country.
Namomsa Beyene, National Project Coordinator for ‘Practice Peace and Live in Tranquility’ project, then gave an insightful presentation of the full project blueprint laying out its objectives, core activities, targeted groups, risk mitigation strategies, and long-term vision. His comprehensive overview was met with enthusiastic applause, followed by an engaging panel discussion moderated by Mr. Sahlemariam, where questions from the audience were addressed by the country directors and the coordinator further reinforcing participants' belief in the project’s success and its collaborative structure.
As the event drew to an end, Mrs. Anushka Gopaul, representative of SOS Children’s Villages International, delivered a deeply moving reflection. Giving praise to SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia for its bravery in leading such a vital project and expressing her deep gratitude for the trust placed in the organization. Mrs. Gopaul also underscored the importance of listening to children, youth, women, and vulnerable communities and designing solutions that respond directly to their needs. Mrs. Gopaul concluded with a personal commitment to return and witness the transformation the project is set out to bring, sending her best wishes for its success.
The launch marks a hopeful step forward in Ethiopia’s journey toward peace, led by strong partnerships, community voices, and a shared vision for a more harmonious future.