About Us
Who We Are
The Hailemariam & Roman Foundation (HRF) was established in April 2018 as non-profit international NGO based on the agreement reached with the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. The founders, the former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, H.E. Mr. Hailemariam Dessalegn, and the former First Lady of Ethiopia, H.E. Mrs. Roman Tesfaye, have unwavering commitment to continue working with the government, people, and partners to support national and regional efforts in bringing socioeconomic transformation in Ethiopia and the broader Africa.
Our Vision
We envision seeing a healthy and economically empowered community in a well conserved environment.
Our Mission
We catalyze development players’ interventions and inspire citizens to build healthy communities and develop a sustainable environment in support of socio-economic transformation in Ethiopia and the broader Africa. Our distinctiveness and partnerships at local and international levels are keys in furthering our mission.
Our Distinctiveness
Credibility and trust: We speak from a source of truth and authenticity, building on our founders’ work in maternal and child health, climate-smart conservation and ecotourism, agricultural transformation, food and nutrition security, as well as youth and women’s economic empowerment.
Convening potential: One of our core strengths is our ability to convene leading local and international players around critical topics, increasing multi-sectoral collaboration, fostering partnerships, and creating effective discussion forums.
Access at the highest and grassroots levels: We will continue to develop relationships with heads of state, private and social sector leaders, community leaders and elders at the grassroots using our existing networks and relationships.
Deep understanding of the contexts: Our pathways have given us great opportunities to understand the contexts deeply and be aware of the situations on ground while carrying out our mission in a way that builds local ownership, leadership, and delivering capacity to contribute towards attaining dramatic results in our focus areas and ensuring sustainability.
Our Guiding Principles
We strive to:
Put community at the centre
Citizens are at the center of everything we do. We believe in the power and potential of our citizens – especially women and young people – to change their own lives, communities, the nation and the world. We want to inspire local communities to lead the change.
Catalyze development players interventions
We contribute to interventions related to maternal and child health, climate-smart conservation and ecotourism, agricultural transformation, food and nutrition security, as well as youth and women’s economic empowerment wherever we can add value.
Enhance partnerships
We drive impact by creating and enhancing partnerships at local and international levels with communities, governments, international agencies, donors, and other key stakeholders.
Create sustainable and scalable models
We prioritize and focus our activities to create solutions and initiatives that will have lasting impacts. We do not look for quick fixes. We build scalable models that integrate economic, social, environmental and policy elements.
Our History
HRF received:
- Honorary certificate from CFRD for trustworthy partnership & commitment to the School Meals Program
- Certificate of recognition from South Omo Zone for its contribution to health development goals
- Certificate of appreciation for reducing women’s workload in West Omo Zone via Economic Empowerment Program
- Certificate of recognition from South Omo Zone for supporting teaching & learning through school meals & supplies
- Agricultural Transformation, Food & Nutrition Security Project launched as the 4th thematic area
- Establishment of Project Offices
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- Youth Self-Employment (YES) in Southern Ethiopia Project at Jinka Town
- Preservation of Maze National Park & its watersheds in Ethiopia Project at Morka Town
- Agricultural Transformation, Food & Nutrition Security Project at Dimeka Town
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HRF recognized at the 1st GO-CSO Forum by South Ethiopia Regional State for its 2025 commitment to community impact & partnerships with regional actors
