When Does the Development Aid Work in Africa? Lessons from the Ireland Aid in Sidama, Ethiopia: Part II
By: Wolassa L. Kumo 2. The Ireland Aid - Sidama Development Programme - An Area Based Integrated Rural Development Approach 2.1 The Development Programme The Ireland Bilateral Aid Programme for the Sidama province known as the Sidama Development Programme (SDP) was established in May 1994 after a feasibility study conducted by the team of development experts from the Embassy of Ireland in Addis Ababa, led by Mr. Joseph Feeney identified three areas for development assistance in the country. These were (a) Sidama and Gurage provinces in Southern Ethiopia and the Tigray province in Northern Ethiopia. During this period the Ireland aid followed a non-conventional development assistance approach that was based on equal partnership with the local people with funding support provided to projects directly identified as development priorities by the people on the ground. The Ireland Aid –Sidama Development Programme was an integrated rural development program with in