On July 23rd, 2025, a collaboration agreement was signed between SWR Ethiopia and Wollo University to implement the TRANSFORM project in South Wollo Zone. The signing ceremony took place at the Swiss Inn Hotel in Addis Ababa, attended by notable figures including Dr. Dawit Alemu, SWR Ethiopia Country Representative; Dr. Tewodros Tefera, SWR Ethiopia TRANSFORM Project Manager; Dr. Seid Awol, President of Wollo University; and Dr. Asrese Molla, Director of International Relations and Partnerships at Wollo University.
During the event, Dr. Dawit Alemu expressed his gratitude to Wollo University for its proactive commitment to the agreement and the project’s implementation. He emphasized SWR Ethiopia’s mission of fostering research for development, highlighting the importance of collaborating with universities and research institutions to achieve impactful results.
“This collaboration agreement is just the beginning,” Dr. Dawit stated. “It opens doors for Wollo University to build further connections with national and international institutions, paving the way for transformative initiatives.”
Dr. Tewodrose Tefera provided a brief overview of the Transform Soil Fertility Management (TRANSFORM) in Ethiopia project to the delegates. Dr. Tewodrose outlined the TRANSFORM project’s key components, which aim to sustainably enhance soil health through tailored extension services, participatory planning, farmer engagement, and large-scale mobilization using bottom-up approaches. Funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the European Union, the project involves a consortium of five organizations: IFDC, Wageningen University and Research (SWR Ethiopia), World Soil Information (ISRIC), Ethiopian Coffee Forest Forum (ECFF), and SOS SAHEL Ethiopia. WENR-SWR Ethiopia will lead the Customized Extension component, while IFDC serves as the overall lead of the project. The collaboration with Wollo University will focus on several critical areas, including:
Mainstreaming of the Participatory Integrated Planning (PIP) approach, which empowers farmers through strategic planning and decision-making tools.
Action research: conducting research that directly addresses real-world challenges faced by farmers and communities.
Sectoral integration: Bridging gaps between agricultural sectors for enhanced productivity and sustainability.
Promoting ATVETs: Strengthening Agricultural Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions in the region in updating and revising the curriculum to meet the current challenges and opportunities.
To ensure effective implementation, the project has already recruited eight community facilitators and one coordinator who will work closely with Wollo University.
Dr. Seid Awol, President of Wollo University, shared his excitement about the partnership, praising SWR Ethiopia for initiating this collaboration. He highlighted the university’s achievements despite being relatively young and its growing reputation as one of Ethiopia’s top applied universities.
“Wollo University is strategically located in a region with immense potential,” Dr. Seid remarked. “Our experienced staff and involvement in major projects make us well-equipped to deliver high-performance outcomes in this collaboration.”
The signing of this agreement signals a shared commitment to driving sustainable development through research, education, and community engagement. SWR Ethiopia promises to bring innovative solutions to Ethiopia’s agricultural sector while empowering local communities and institutions.
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