By Ruth Brook
The Ethiopian Diaspora Trust Fund (EDTF) has chosen to fund five development projects that aim to improve social and economic wellbeing of Ethiopians in need; this comes after a rigorous selection process carried out by the organization over the last few months.
The announcement was made at the EDTF Inaugural Grant Award Ceremony on Thursday, February 6th 2020 at UN ECA, Addis Ababa.
EDTF launched in August 2018 and is a tax-exempt nonprofit organization in the United States that is designed to provide funding for entrepreneurial projects geared towards the betterment of Ethiopia. The funds are raised in the form of donations by members of the diaspora around the world, following Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s call for diaspora to donate a-dollar-a-day, contributing to initiatives deemed critical projects. The organization raised USD$ 5.848 million from 25,735 donors living in 93 countries, all donations raised by EDTF are dedicated to funding the projects. 
Three of the five selected projects are related to enhancing childhood education. The remaining two cover areas of hygiene, sanitation and water supply.
The five projects were narrowed down from an initial submission of 410. They were further tapered down to the final 22 project proposals that met the formal requirements by EDTF’s panel of experts, before the final selection.
The chosen projects are as follows:
Early childhood care and education services for orphans and vulnerable children by Hiwot Integrated Development Organization (HIDO). The project costs 10,491,742 birr.
Hygiene and sanitation promotion by Korah Great Hope Charity Organization (KGHCO). The project costs 10,314,255 birr.
Promotion of safe water supply, hygiene and sanitation for hard to reach communities using renewable energy by Pro Development Network. The project costs 8,924,780 birr.
Enhancing educational provision through improving children learning environment by Gurmuu Development Association. The project costs 10,628,885 birr
Build the capacity of special needs education to integrate children with disabilities in the school system by Help for Persons with Disabilities Organization (HPD-O). The project costs 15,651,374 birr.
