APHEET Program Hosts 3rd Steering Committee & Technical Team Joint Review Workshop

From 31 August to 2 September 2025, the APHEET program implementing partners gathered at the Bishoftu Pyramid Hotel & Resort for the 3rd Steering Committee and Technical Team Joint Review Workshop. This event brought together consortium leaders and technical team members from across the Guassa, Adaba, and Addis pillars of the program entitled Alliance for population Health and Environment in Ethiopian (APHEET) program with the general objective of enhancing the overall wellbeing and living conditions of communities in Guassa, Adaba, and Addis Ababa by integrating Population, Health, and Environment (PHE) approaches with social and economic empowerment initiatives.

The main purpose of the meeting was to assess progress and advance strategic alignment. During the workshop, partners evaluated achievements across all three pillars, addressed critical strategic direction, and emphasized the importance of inter-pillar collaboration through cross-learning and the systematic documentation of successes, challenges, and lessons. An essential focus was also directed toward planning for the upcoming Merck Family Foundation board of trustees visit along with KKS high official in October 2025 to ensure seamless alignment with the visit’s schedule.

The workshop sessions were energized and skillfully guided by the Country Directors and Executive Directors of the six implementing partners, with key logistical and organizational support provided by LIVE ADDIS—who serves as the alliance’s secretary and budget-holder—and PHE Ethiopia as chair for the alliance. The workshop yielded several significant outcomes: the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Technical Team were finalized and signed, laying a clear foundation for the team’s scope and responsibilities; partners reached consensus to draft and sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) committing to expanded cooperation beyond the APHEET program’s lifespan; and the Steering Committee adopted and forwarded several strategic action points aimed at enhancing engagement and coordinating implementation across all partners.

The program fully funded by Merck Family Foundation through KKS Germany