A Social Enterprise for the Environment: Sustainable Community Development in Ethiopia

Abstract

In Ethiopia, work in social development has been dominated by aid organizations that primarily focused on relief aid, but the majority of Ethiopian people have not received benefits from those organizations. Fortunately, Ethiopians are often self-motivated to begin development work that can best bring social, environmental and economic changes. Most important, these social entrepreneurs know the development priority of their people and because of it, they can potentially ignite development projects mainly in villages focused on disadvantaged communities. This thesis first addresses a need for social and environmental development in rural and sub-urban Ethiopian communities, a need that is crucial because eighty percent of the population depends on farming land. Second, this thesis recognizes the role that Christians and their churches take to initiate and lead communities, along with other stakeholders, by creating awareness that the environment is a divine gift. Finally, this thesis argues action for a clean and sustainable Ethiopian environment, action which includes a theory of change and a business plan that will be used to launch a faith-based social enterprise to bring sustainable environmental development in Ethiopia.