Champions for Food Security and Leadership Training Launch in Tigray Region

Launch event participants pose for a group photo after the workshop.

Policy LINK's Champions for Food Security (C4FS) Activity in Ethiopia has expanded to serve the Tigray region. The Activity began with a Leadership for Change (L4C) training designed to contribute to and influence policymaking through an inclusive and participatory process.

Letebirhan Beyne

Marking a significant step toward enhancing food security and policy coordination in the region, C4FS launched in Tigray April 17, with an event attended by representatives from regional institutions, USAID, NGOs, CSOs, associations, the private sector, and research institutions. Participants urged the program to resume in the region right away to address post-conflict challenges including high unemployment, drought, and infrastructure damage.

As an immediate action, Policy LINK’s custom L4C training was adapted for Tigray and the first round of training took place May 28-31 in Mekelle, welcoming 37 (6 female) people into a program to improve the leadership capabilities of actors in the policy system. L4C applies a leadership lens to agriculture and food security initiatives and policies in the push for national food security and nutrition in Ethiopia.

One participant, Tadesse Tewldebirhan, Director of the Agricultural Commercialization Cluster at the Tigray Agricultural Transformation Institute, said the four-day extensive training should be delivered to high-level officials and then cascaded down to lower-level officials. “The focus on personality, mindset, emotional intelligence, and leadership are incredibly valuable. If leaders do not understand themselves and work on their personalities, it is impossible to change others and the organization,” he said.

Tadesse Tewldebirhan

He stated that the participants have designed action projects for their respective areas as part of the training. “We will continue working as a group. It is interesting how the theory of change starts with the individual and how individuals can change their respective organizations with a growth mindset, and how organizations can influence policymaking. This is the key strategy to solve most problems in the policymaking cycle,” Tewldebirhan said.

Another participant, Letebirhan Beyne, department head of the Kaza Capital Goods Finance Share Company, said the training is something that she can directly apply to her leadership role. “This will help me to improve my leadership skills and understand how to tackle challenges effectively. Considering the current difficult situation in Tigray, with heightened stress, emotional strain, and economic challenges, this training will help us reset and encourage us to work towards a positive work environment that uplifts the team,” said Letebirhan.  

“I now understand the range of emotions, both positive and negative, that can significantly impact my leadership, both personally and within the organization. This insight is also valuable for interacting with both superiors and subordinates,” she added.