By Abdullahi Lukman
Three community-based land restoration initiatives in Ethiopia have been selected for the Carbon Accelerator Programme for the Environment (CAPE), a UK-backed scheme designed to mobilise investment into projects that cut emissions, restore ecosystems and deliver benefits to local communities.
The selected projects — AfriScout Regen, Chifra Landscape Restoration Project and The People’s Chaka — will receive project development and transaction advisory support to help them reach investment-ready stage.
The initiative is supported by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in Ethiopia.
Launched in November 2024 by FSD Africa in partnership with the African Natural Capital Alliance (ANCA) and Finance Earth, CAPE focuses on building confidence in Africa’s nature-based carbon markets.
It promotes high-integrity projects with strong community participation, credible carbon methodologies and measurable biodiversity outcomes.
A key objective is to ensure local communities receive long-term financial benefits from the sale of carbon credits linked to ecosystem restoration.
The three Ethiopian projects were chosen from more than 40 applications based on their readiness, impact potential and alignment with investor expectations.
AfriScout Regen works with pastoralist communities across 1.3 million hectares of grassland, supporting more than 44,000 households.
The project combines traditional grazing practices with satellite data and artificial intelligence through a mobile application that guides herd movements.
By measuring carbon sequestration from improved rangeland management, the initiative aims to generate carbon credits to sustain restoration efforts. AfriScout operates as a social enterprise under Global Communities.
The Chifra Landscape Restoration Project, located in the Afar region, is led by World Vision Australia in partnership with World Vision Ethiopia.
It applies Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration, a low-cost method that regenerates trees and shrubs from existing stumps and roots alongside new planting.
The project seeks to restore more than 100,000 hectares of degraded rangeland, enhance biodiversity and improve pastoral livelihoods while producing high-quality carbon credits.
The People’s Chaka, based in southern and south-western Ethiopia, targets the restoration of 7,000 hectares of biodiverse forest, with potential expansion to 50,000 hectares.
The initiative aims to curb deforestation, prevent soil erosion and remove an estimated 2.3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.
Developed by Menschen für Menschen Foundation and Berlin-based goodcarbon, the project includes a revenue-sharing model to strengthen rural incomes.
Officials say the projects highlight how community-led carbon initiatives can support climate mitigation, biodiversity protection and sustainable development.
Reshma Shah, Carbon Markets Lead at FSD Africa, said the projects demonstrate practical solutions that restore ecosystems while ensuring communities are fairly compensated.
James Mansfield, Managing Director at Finance Earth, emphasized that long-term success depends on meaningful livelihood improvements and equitable benefit-sharing.
Dr. Nina Hissen, Climate and Nature Lead at FCDO Ethiopia, described CAPE Ethiopia as a modern development partnership that connects local enterprises to global carbon markets while safeguarding natural resources and diversifying rural incomes.