Institute for Sustainable Development - ISD

ISD-UPSCALE project Regional Collaboration to Scale Up Climate-Smart Agriculture in Africa!
From September 4–5, 2025, the Institute for Sustainable Development (ISD) hosted a Regional Stakeholders’ meeting in Inter Luxury hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to advance the implementation of the UPSCALE Project which an EU-funded initiative promoting sustainable and climate-resilient farming across Eastern Africa.
The UPSCALE Project is working to expand the use of Push-Pull Technology, an innovative, eco-friendly farming method that naturally controls pests and weeds in maize and sorghum fields and also improve the soil fertility by enhancing nutrient availability. This method not only improves crop yields and soil fertility but also enhances soil and plant biodiversity.
The UPSCALE project is being rolled out in five African countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda.
These countries are collaborating closely with researchers, policymakers, farmers' organizations, and NGOs to scale up the adoption of Push-Pull and strengthen regional food security.
The two-day event in Addis Ababa brought together key stakeholders including government representatives, researchers, extension agents, NGOs, and other key partners to review progress in implementing Push-Pull across the five countries, share successes, challenges, and lessons learned, align national strategies with regional efforts for broader impact, strengthen partnerships for scaling the technology to reach more smallholder farmers.
This collaboration marks a major step forward in addressing food insecurity and climate change in Eastern Africa.

The results achieved by farmers in South Wollo Werebabo District, who have been supported by the organization through various training and material support, are partly as follows: To expand their results, they are sharing the vermicompost they have produced for free with neighboring farmers, helping to treat damaged soil and increase production. They are also selling some of it at a modest price and using it as a source of income.

The General Assembly on "Upscaling the Benefits of Push-Pull Technology for Sustainable Agricultural Intensification in East Africa" is currently underway, from 1 - 3 September 2025.
Organized by the Institute for Sustainable Development (ISD), this a three-day event brings together farmers, researchers, and development partners to scale up sustainable, climate-smart farming practices across the region. Ongoing from Monday to Wednesday, the insights and innovations shaping the future of agriculture in East Africa!

Sharing Community in Practice
The 2025 Green Action Week Campaign, GAW, supported by the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC) and organized by the Institute for Sustainable Development (ISD), was successfully conducted in Haik town, Tehulederie District, South Wollo Zone. This year’s campaign, themed “Sharing Community,” focused on promoting a culture of mutual support and resource sharing among community members.
This GAW Campaign encouraged individuals to share necessary resources, such as food, clothing, and educational materials with those in need, particularly families facing financial problems. Special emphasis was placed on assisting children whose families struggle to afford educational materials.
A key feature of this year’s program was the strong collaboration with the Tehulederie district administration, which greatly enhanced the campaign’s impact. This partnership was aligned with the district's ongoing “Summer Voluntary Service” activities, a seasonal initiative that mobilizes community volunteers during the Ethiopian rainy season.
One of the campaign’s highlights was a public forum organized by ISD, during which educational materials worth over 162,000 birr were donated by ISD. These materials were specifically designated for children from displaced families currently living in temporary shelters within the district. Families were invited to the event to receive the materials on-site, reflecting the campaign’s commitment to inclusivity and direct support for the most vulnerable.
The 2025 Green Action Week campaign not only achieved its goals but also reinforced the sharing community concept, underscoring the power of collective action in addressing shared challenges.