Vita (Ethiopia)
Vita is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting sustainable development and improving livelihoods in rural communities across East Africa. With a focus on environmental sustainability and economic empowerment, Vita implements projects and initiatives that address critical challenges such as poverty, food insecurity, and climate change. By collaborating with local communities, governments, and partner organisations, Vita designs and implements innovative solutions tailored to the specific needs and contexts of each community. Key areas of intervention include access to clean water and sanitation, renewable energy solutions, agricultural development, and capacity-building programmes. With a track record of successful projects spanning decades, Vita is committed to long-term positive impact on individuals and communities and building resilient, thriving futures.
In 2024-2025, the Eurofins Foundation is providing funding to Vita's Sustainable Stoves Initiative: Empowering Women in Their Communities for Healthier Homes in Ethiopia.
The project focuses on addressing pressing environmental and health challenges associated with traditional cooking methods in rural Ethiopian communities, particularly in the Gamo region. Anticipated outcomes from increased adoption of fuel-efficient cookstoves include:
- Improved indoor air quality leading to significant health outcomes (chest, eye, heart, burns, chronic back pain, etc).
- Better access to education for children (particularly girls) through reduced drudgery hours gathering wood.
- Reduced deforestation rates and managed reforestation and improved soil retention.
- Enhanced economic empowerment for women-led associations and sustainable community development.
- Reduced carbon emissions through reduced wood-burning
The project targets over 3,300 people in the Gamo region, representing a significant step towards Vita's broader goal of reaching approximately 250,000 people across Ethiopia by 2025 as part of their larger stove programme.
This project contributes to the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
