The Pastoral Community Development Project in Ethiopia successfully introduced community-driven development, which was key in empowering pastoralist communities. Overall, the project performed strongly on its major components, which included improving livelihoods through access to social and economic infrastructure and financial services. Moreover, good progress was made towards gender and women’s empowerment. The effects of better access of pastoral women to education and health, and their economic empowerment, could contribute to profound changes in their communities.

There are, however, some areas which need to be addressed and improved during the third phase currently under way. These concern the inclusion of local knowledge and social and environmental effects due to climate change and the sustainability of benefits generated. In addition, the assessment recommends that the project ensures the mobility of pastoralists is respected, and that the project engages in a more open dialogue with other Ethiopian ministries and actors, including development partners active in pastoral development.