Eljojofe e.V.

Building Educational Bridges: Inspection Training with Ethiopian Universities

For over two decades, Eljojofe e.V. has worked hand- in-hand with Ethiopian communities, particularly organic farmers living within Ethiopia's biosphere reserves. Our educational efforts have evolved alongside these communities—supporting not only the farmers but now also their children, many of whom are university students or aspiring entrepreneurs.

In response to the growing need for locally-led quality assurance and compliance systems, Eljojofe e.V. is collaborating with Ethiopian universities as part of the Seratera Consortium to launch inspection training programs. These programs aim to:

• Equip students with practical and theoretical skills in inspection, auditing, and quality control.
• Develop localized curricula aligned with international standards but grounded in Ethiopia's regulatory context.
• Foster a new generation of national inspectors who understand the cultural, ecological, and economic dimensions of Ethiopia's unique biosphere and agroeconomy.
• Deliver training through blended models—diaspora experts, university faculty, and local professionals co-design and teach inspection modules.

This initiative not only strengthens higher education but also supports Ethiopia's long-term goal of building resilient and trusted local institutions.

Contact: Dr. Mitslal Kifleyesus-Matschie (mkm@ecopia.de)

A National Certification System Rooted in Global Standards

After two decades of field engagement with organic farming communities in Ethiopia's biosphere reserves, Eljojofe e.V. is now supporting a strategic leap forward: the creation of a national certification ecosystem built to international standards, yet owned and operated by Ethiopians.

To ensure credibility and global recognition, we are working on two parallel accreditation paths:

• Eljojofe e.V. is undergoing accreditation by DAkkS, Germany's national accreditation body, to serve as a training and oversight partner.
• A newly established Ethiopian certification company, focused on eco-certification, is being prepared for accreditation by the International Organic Accreditation Service (IOAS).

This dual-track approach ensures that:

• Inspection and certification activities are fully separated, governed by strict conflict-of-interest-avoidance agreements.
• National experts lead both units, ensuring technical integrity and local ownership.
• Services are delivered in Ethiopian birr, removing foreign currency barriers and making certification accessible to smallholders and cooperatives.
• International benchmarks are upheld, enabling Ethiopian products to meet export requirements for organic and sustainable labeling.
• The system is transparent, community-rooted, and future-ready, with digital traceability tools and diaspora expertise integrated into the workflow.

To guide this critical phase, we have appointed two of Ethiopia's top experts in certification systems and compliance management, ensuring that both the process and governance meet the highest standards.

This initiative is more than a technical project—it is a long-awaited solution that empowers Ethiopia to certify its own excellence.

Contact: Sarah (sarah@greenacademyafrica.com)

Empowering Communities Through Digital Transformation

In a world where market access is increasingly driven by compliance, traceability, and visibility, Eljojofe e.V. is investing in the digital transformation of Ethiopian farming communities—especially those in biosphere reserves practicing organic and sustainable agriculture.

The goal is clear: reduce the cost of certification, increase international visibility, and support fair access to global markets.

To realize this vision, Eljojofe has partnered with two key Ethiopian-led companies:

• Ecopia PLC, our strategic implementation partner, has developed the Ecopia Value Chain Platform, a digital space where smallholder farmers can:
  • Register their products and production data.
  • Track compliance with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • Present themselves to global buyers seeking certified and sustainable suppliers.
• Tiker Tap, the Ethiopian software company behind the Ecopia platform, provides the digital backbone that powers these community tools. Their role extends to building the control and monitoring system for the new eco-certification company, ensuring:
  • Transparency throughout the certification process.
  • Fairness and impartiality through digitized audit trails.
  • Data integrity and accessibility for both certifiers and farmers.

These efforts are not merely technical upgrades—they represent a paradigm shift toward inclusive, African-led digital infrastructure that uplifts rural communities while meeting the highest international standards.

By investing in these systems, Eljojofe ensures that Ethiopian farmers can compete globally, remain visible, and stay rooted in local values—all while contributing to a sustainable and equitable food system.

Contact: Tiker Tape

EURD Compliance for Export-Ready Producers

Eljojofe e.V. is launching a specialized service to support Ethiopian producers in meeting the European Union Regulatory Directives (EURD) for sustainable and traceable agricultural exports.

We are preparing to issue a EURD Compliance Document for cooperatives and processors who demonstrate:

• Alignment with environmental and human rights due diligence standards as outlined in the EU's Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD).
• Traceability of inputs and outputs, using the Ecopia Value Chain Platform.
• Internal monitoring and grievance mechanisms to ensure compliance with fair labor, climate, and biodiversity policies.

This document is not a substitute for certification, but a pre-compliance and readiness tool for buyers, regulators, and partners to assess sustainability preparedness.

Our team, in collaboration with national experts and EU-based legal partners, ensures that the documents meet pre-audit expectations of European importers.

Certifying the Buzz: Organic Standards for Ethiopian Beekeepers

As interest in organic honey and apiculture products from Ethiopia grows, Eljojofe e.V. is spearheading the development of a dedicated certification track for beekeepers.

This program is adapted to:

• The natural and diverse ecosystems where Ethiopian bees forage.
• The non-intrusive traditional practices that often align well with organic standards.
• The documentation needs of international organic markets.

We are currently:

• Developing guidelines in line with IFOAM and IOAS requirements.
• Piloting inspection formats with beekeeping cooperatives in biosphere reserves.
• Training local inspectors in apiculture-specific audit protocols.
• Integrating data into the Ecopia Value Chain Platform, enabling digital traceability from hive to market.

This initiative will support beekeepers in gaining market access while protecting the ecosystems on which their livelihood depends.

The Ecopia Sustainable Standards: Digital, Local, Global

The Ecopia Sustainable Standards (ESS) are a new set of compliance indicators built into the Ecopia Value Chain Platform to support producers in aligning with:

• The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• National environmental and labor regulations
• Market-specific voluntary standards (organic, regenerative, fair trade, etc.)

These standards allow farmers and cooperatives to:

• Self-assess and document practices in categories such as:
  • Soil health and water use
  • Community labor and gender inclusion
  • Biodiversity protection and ecosystem services
• Receive support for improving compliance
• Share automated sustainability reports with buyers and certifiers

Eljojofe supports the rollout of these standards across its partner communities, empowering them to digitally prove their values and practices without additional bureaucracy or expense.