Organizational description or Background
Accord Development Initiative (ADI) is a non-profitable, non-partisan, and non-religious civil society organization established in 2020 by committed professionals and volunteers dedicated to humanitarian and development work across Ethiopia. ADI is licensed and Registered as a board-led organization under the new Civil Society Proclamation 1113/2019 on March 12, 2020, with registration number 4827, ADI is headquartered in Assosa, the capital of the Benishangul-Gumuz Regional State. The organization plans to expand its presence to other regions based on funding availability in order to reach more underserved communities.
Accord development Initiative was founded with the overarching mission of strengthening marginalized communities by addressing the psychosocial, economic, and social challenges they face. It specifically targets women, children, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and other overlooked and vulnerable populations, while also being strongly committed to promoting peacebuilding, gender equality, and social justice. As part of its evolving mandate, ADI integrates environmental protection and climate resilience into all facets of its work, recognizing the direct impact of environmental degradation and climate change on the most vulnerable communities. Environmental sustainability has become a cross-cutting theme in all ADI programs, aligned with the goal of promoting holistic and sustainable development.
The organization’s key thematic areas include health service, education, women’s economic empowerment, gender-based violence (GBV) and harmful traditional practices (HTPs), disability inclusion, children’s rights, livelihood improvement, peacebuilding and conflict prevention, as well as environmental protection and climate resilience. In light of increasing climate threats, ADI acknowledges the interconnectedness between environmental sustainability, human welfare, and community resilience. It promotes community-led conservation efforts such as reforestation, watershed management, and sustainable agriculture; engages in climate adaptation strategies to strengthen the resilience of marginalized communities, particularly in drought- and flood-prone areas; and advocates for climate justice to ensure the inclusion of women, children, and persons with disabilities in climate-related decision-making and green development programs. ADI also partners with local authorities and grassroots actors to integrate environmental education into peacebuilding, livelihoods, and social protection, while encouraging the use of eco-friendly technologies and renewable energy in rural development.
The organization relies on a network of professional staff and dedicated volunteers who are passionate about community-driven change. With strong local roots and a grassroots approach, ADI is committed to delivering impactful, culturally relevant, and resilient programming that uplifts marginalized communities and strengthens their ability to thrive in the face of social, economic, and environmental challenges.