Emmanuel Development Association (EDA) is an Ethiopian-based aid organization that is committed to improving the lives of children, youth, women, and families. EDA has been providing care and support to Ethiopian communities since 1996. Over the last two decades, our programs have touched the lives of over 35 million Ethiopians.

EDA takes a holistic approach to improving the lives of disadvantaged Ethiopians. Our organization attains this goal by caring for the most vulnerable and empowering women and families to achieve improved health, well-being, financial growth and stability. We believe that the changes we make should be community-led and community-based based and sustainable. Individuals, families, communities and government agencies all play a role in our projects.

Emmanuel Development Association currently provides aid services to 20 projects across Ethiopia, with major projects in Addis Ababa, the Amhara, and South Ethiopia, South-West Ethiopia, Central Ethiopia, Sidama Region, Tigray Region and Oromia regions. Our programs provide raining and ongoing support in the six areas that we believe are most important to the growth and development of our community members.

• Education
• Child Protection
• Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH)
• Community Health
• Youth Livelihood Programs and Agriculture
• Humanitarian Action & Emergency Responses –in the form of Triple Nexus
• Community Building & Community Based Organizations

Our founder and Executive Director, Dr. Tessema Bekele, brought a deep sense of compassion, extensive expertise in community development, and a personal financial contribution as the first donor to establish Emmanuel Development Association (EDA). His commitment and vision have guided the organization’s foundation and continued growth.

EDA is a legally registered charity in both Ethiopia (License No. 0196/2011) and with the Ministry of Economy of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (Registration No. 491/2022/4/6). We are dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable children, youth, and families through sustainable, community-based development initiatives.

Over the years, EDA has received generous support from the Ethiopian government and numerous international development partners, including:

• Canadian Feed the Children
• Save the Children
• USAID
• Christian Children’s Fund of Canada (Children Believe)
• Oak Foundation
• Banyan Tree Foundation
• Menschen für Menschen
• Bread for the World – Protestant Agency for Diakonia and Development
• British Council
• UN-EHF/OCHA
• UN Women
• UNICEF
• Orbis International
• Luminos Fund
• Woord en Daad
• Freedom Fund (UK)
• Light for the World (LFW)
• ARISE
• Open Capital

We invite you to visit our Donors Page to learn how you can collaborate with EDA to support children, drive meaningful change, and promote sustainable development in Ethiopia and beyond.