MELCA means ford both in Amharic and Oromo language – two of the widely spoken languages of Ethiopia. It means a crossing point on a river, which is symbolically used to indicate the need to take people away from their misconception about local people and culture to an understanding and appreciation of traditional ecological knowledge. A river also signifies linkage with a source. If the source dries, the river also dries. MELCA emphasizes that culture is the source of identity and wisdom, and that the destruction or degradation of culture will result lose of a vast amount of knowledge and identity.

1. History of Establishment 

The founders of MELCA are environmental practioners and lawyers. They have an extensive experience, both nationally and regionally, on issues related to environment and culture. MELCA arose out of their concern for the confusion that the public has on matters concerning traditional ecological knowledge. They are deeply worried about the current erosion and destruction of both biodiversity and culture. They sincerely feel that a wholesale adoption of western thinking and action is not a solution to Ethiopia. They believe profoundly that there are lots and lots of positive experiences in our culture which could be used to address the current ecological and social crisis that we have. The founders were airing their worry through national and international forums and are now convinced that it is by organizing themselves as a group that they can address their concerns in a focused and meaningful way.

2. Legal Status

MELCA (Movement for Ecological Learning and Community Action) Mahiber was registered in 2004 with the Ethiopian Federal Ministry of Justice as a membership based association and renewed its certificate until December 2010(Certificate No. 1918). It has a broad membership base, comprising, foresters, lawyers, ecologists, sociologists, environmentalists, youth groups and women’s associations, and currently has 60 members.

3. Organization and Management

MELCA Mahiber has a general Assembly led by the renowned environmental activist and General Manager of EPA, Dr. TewoldeBerhan G/Egziabher, who won the Alternative Nobel Prize (Right Livelihood Award). Under the general assembly, the board, which has five members, exists. The head of the board is again the renowned Ethiopian Dr. Melaku Werede who also won the Alternative Nobel Prize. Under the board there is the executive office lead by the Director and 17 staff members. We have focused our work in three forest areas of Ethiopia.  The areas are the Sheka forest (SNNPR), the Bale Mountains and the Sebeta Suba Forest (Oromiya Region).  We have two branch offices, one at Dinsho, Bale Mountains and the other one at Masha, Sheka Zone.

4.  Vision and Mission Statements

Vision

To see empowered communities conserve their bio-cultural diversity and strengthen their livelihoods for a healthy ecosystem and society.

Mission

To work for the revival and enhancement of bio-cultural diversity and realization of sustainable livelihoods in Ethiopia through Research, Environmental Education, Participatory Mapping, Endogenous Development and Conservation of Ecosystems.

5. Network

MELCA is a member and co-founder of a coalition of 14 NGO’s called Sheka Forest Alliance.  We plan with this coalition advocacy strategies and other forest related actions. We are part of the African Biodiversity Network (ABN) and other networks in Ethiopia such as the Green Forum. We share common objectives with these networks of working to conserve the eco-system and strengthen the livelihoods of the people who depend on it and plan to continue to be an active member in networks that share our values and objectives.