Regional Project Kicks Off to Address Climate Change, Conflict, and Mobility in Eastern Africa

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – The Horn of Africa Regional Environment Centre and Network (HoA-REC&N-AAU) and project partners will be launching the Managing the Impacts of Environmental Change and Conflict on Mobility in Eastern Africa Through Evidence-based Inclusive Policy Dialogue and Collaborative Actions (MECMEA) project during a high-level kick-off meeting in Addis Ababa on May 29 and a planning session for the consortium members on May 30, 2025.

The Horn of Africa Regional Environment Centre and Network (HoA-REC&N-AAU) at Addis Ababa University is the coordinator of the MECMEA project, which is funded by the European Union and contracted by the International Centre for Migration and Policy Development (ICMPD). The consortium members of the project include the Mixed Migration Centre (MMC) at the Danish Refugee Council in Kenya, Association Djibouti Nature (AND) in Djibouti, South Sudan Nature Conservation Organization (SSNCO), and PanAfricare in Kenya.

This regional initiative covering Eastern Africa is a critical effort to address the intricate interplay between climate change, environmental degradation, and conflict.  The project spans 18 months and addresses the intricate relationship between climate change, environmental disasters, and conflict as the primary factors driving migration in Eastern Africa.  The initiative has been developed to promote collaboration among governments, civil society organizations (CSOs), and researchers, as well as to improve multi-level policy coordination.  The MECMEA initiative is designed to fortify governance frameworks for climate- and conflict-induced mobility throughout the region by means of evidence-based policymaking, capacity-building, and policy dialogue.

 The High-Level Launching Meeting will include keynote addresses, thematic presentations, expert reflections, and panel discussions from policymakers, experts, and practitioners who will underscore the project’s approach to broad-based multi-stakeholder engagement. A diverse array of perspectives is essential for addressing the multifaceted issues at hand, and attendees will include government representatives, NGOs, academic experts, and community leaders.Disclaimer: This media brief has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union and ICMPD. The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of Addis Ababa University Horn of Africa Regional Environment Centre and Network (HoA-REC&N) and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union or ICMPD.