In late September 2025, the Ethiopian Seed Partnership (ESP) convened a four-day workshop in Hawassa. This gathering brought together members of the partnership; SWR Ethiopia, RESILIENT BV, Mercy Corps Ethiopia, and the Ethiopian Seed Association; to reflect on achievements from 2024/25, strengthen collaboration, and develop a strategic roadmap for 2026 and beyond. The event was an opportunity to align efforts, share knowledge, and foster team synergy through insightful discussions and collaborative sessions.
Aligning with sector trends and priorities
The workshop was designed to ensure that the partnership’s initiatives remain aligned with both Ethiopia’s evolving seed sector landscape and international development priorities, particularly those of the European Union and The Netherlands. By reviewing progress made during the previous year, participants identified valuable lessons that informed the planning process for the years ahead.
Key priority areas were outlined for future focus:
Enhancing ongoing initiatives: building on existing successes within the partnership to drive greater impact.
Strengthening collaboration: fostering stronger alignment among various outcome areas and implementing organizations within the partnership.
Addressing fragile contexts: reinforcing the Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) nexus in conflict-affected and fragile regions.
Continue supporting for the improvement of legal frameworks: Supporting improvements in Ethiopia’s seed legal framework and service delivery systems.
Partners of ESP believes these priorities will enable the partnership’s goal to advance Ethiopia’s seed sector, ensuring supply of high-quality seeds that are important for food and nutrition security, and building resilience to climate challenges.
Strengthening collaboration and alignment across partners
The Ethiopian Seed Partnership is powered by a diverse team of passionate professionals who bring complementary expertise to the table. While collaboration across multiple organizations can be complex, ESP partners are making significant strides in co-creating activities, aligning networks, and fostering a joint learning agenda. One notable example of this collaborative spirit is the establishment of cross-component working groups. These groups are instrumental in facilitating continuous collaboration, fostering innovation, and ensuring that learning remains a core component of all activities.
Adaptive management: A key to success
In an ever-changing external environment, adaptive management has emerged as a cornerstone of ESP’s success. The ability to reflect on activities, adapt strategies, and pivot when necessary has been critical to achieving results. This flexible approach ensures that the partnership remains responsive to emerging challenges and opportunities.
Documenting results for greater impact
As the program continues to make significant progress toward its targets, the coming year will see an increased emphasis on documenting results and disseminating learnings more broadly. Sharing these insights within Ethiopia’s seed sector is essential for scaling successful innovations, strengthening the case for future investments, and driving systemic change.
As we look ahead to 2026 and beyond, the Ethiopian Seed Partnership remains steadfast in its vision to contribute significantly to the transformation of the Ethiopian seed sector. As it has been agreed by all partners during the workshop, through strengthened collaboration, adaptive management, and a focus on results, ESP is on track and continue driving meaningful change for farmers, communities, and the nation as a whole.
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