ADDIS ABABA — A grassroots-driven urban development initiative in Addis Ababa has generated over 43 billion Birr in funding, showcasing the power of community participation in city-building and peacekeeping.
The Addis Ababa City Community Participation and Voluntary Coordination Commission announced that a total of 4,350 neighborhood blocks have been successfully reorganized as part of a broader campaign to accelerate urban development and promote public safety.
Commissioner Yimer Kebede described the initiative as a transformative force for the capital. “Reorganizing these blocks is not only helping us implement government projects more efficiently but is also crucial in reducing illegal activities and fostering a sense of ownership and peace within neighborhoods,” he said.
According to the Commission, the newly organized communities have contributed 5.4 billion Birr directly and raised an additional 38 billion Birr through voluntary engagement, bringing the total community-led funding to 43 billion Birr over the past six years.
Each block comprises 50 to 150 households and serves as a local unit for social and economic mobilization. Yimer explained that these blocks are becoming essential drivers of development by encouraging volunteerism, building trust among residents, and ensuring that citywide projects reflect local priorities.
The initiative, which began in 2023 with the formation of 4,999 blocks, shifted its focus in 2025 to consolidating and reorganizing 4,350 of them. It now aims to engage 2.3 million residents in community development efforts across Addis Ababa.
Officials say this model is helping lay the foundation for sustainable urban growth rooted in citizen participation, while also reinforcing community resilience and peace in the capital.
BY NAOL GIRMA
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 14 MAY 2025
