Transparency & Governance

Building trust through accountability, responsible stewardship, and openness.

The Ethiopian Conservation Trust is committed to ensuring that contributions are used responsibly, partnerships are carefully managed, and conservation initiatives are supported with integrity and transparency.

Community members working on habitat restoration and indigenous tree planting on the slopes of Mount Yerer, Ethiopia. 
HOW WE WORK

Conservation through partnership

The Trust operates as a UK-registered charity, supporting conservation initiatives delivered by trusted partners in Ethiopia.

Projects are assessed against environmental, cultural, social, and financial criteria before support is provided, helping ensure contributions achieve meaningful and lasting impact.

The Trust encourages the use of volunteers in all the projects it supports, helping maximise the resources directed towards conservation initiatives and local partners.

Every contribution follows a considered process designed to ensure that funds are used responsibly, transparently, and where they can create the greatest long-term impact.

  • Every contribution is managed carefully and allocated responsibly.

    The Trust is run entirely by volunteers, ensuring that contributions are preserved for their intended purpose.

    No expenditure is incurred in the UK, with the exception of a capped allocation of £1,000 in 2026 to support the Trust's reconstitution, website redevelopment, and dissemination of materials.

    We recognise that every donation represents an act of trust. For this reason, funds are managed with care and responsibility, and every allocation is considered according to where it can achieve the greatest impact.

    The Trust's financial year runs from 1 January to 31 December.

  • Supporting trusted organisations and initiatives across Ethiopia.

    Conservation succeeds through local knowledge, long-term relationships, and community leadership.

    The Trust supports projects delivered by carefully selected partners in Ethiopia. Contributions are allocated to clearly defined initiatives that align with the Trust's environmental, cultural, and educational objectives.

    Since its creation, the Trust has supported conservation and heritage initiatives with contributions including:

    2017 — £1,750
    2018 — £11,000
    2019 — £13,000
    2020 — £4,000
    2021 — £11,940
    2022 — £2,400
    2023 — Nil
    2024 — £560
    2025 — £25,000

  • Projects are monitored to ensure resources achieve meaningful outcomes.

    Supported initiatives provide updates and reporting that help us understand progress, challenges, and impact.

    Monitoring enables us to learn from each project, improve future decision-making, and remain accountable to the supporters whose contributions make this work possible.

    We focus not only on outputs, but on long-term environmental, cultural, and community outcomes.

  • Open access to governance, reporting, and organisational records.

    We believe transparency is essential to maintaining trust.

    The Trust publishes governance documents, annual reports, accounts, and newsletters so that supporters can understand how the organisation operates and how contributions are used.

    Governance Documents

    Reporting & Publications

THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE TRUST

Governance & leadership

The Board is responsible for ensuring that the Trust operates in accordance with its charitable objectives and that contributions are used responsibly and transparently.

The Ethiopian Conservation Trust is governed by an elected Board of Trustees who oversee strategy, governance, financial stewardship, compliance, and the assessment of supported initiatives.

Trustees bring expertise from conservation, policy, education, communications, research, and international development.

  • Portrait of Ensermu Workneh

    Ensermu Workneh

    CHAIRPERSON

  • Portrait of Michael Sargent

    Michael Sargent

    FOUNDER

  • Portrait of Dr Jacke Phillips

    Dr Jacke Phillips

    SECRETARY

  • Portrait of Yonas Weldeselassie

    Dr Yonas Weldeselassie

    TREASURER

  • portrait of Christopher Sargent

    Christopher Sargent

    BOARD MEMBER

  • Portrait of Dr Negusse Tewoldemedhin

    Dr Negusse Tewoldemedhin

    BOARD MEMBER

  • Portrait of Luisa tatoli

    Luisa Tatoli

    BOARD MEMBER

  • Portrait of Komeil Karimi

    Komeil Karimi

    BOARD MEMBER

  • Portrait of Dr Dorothea McEwan

    Dr Dorothea McEwan

    BOARD MEMBER

  • Portrait of Farah Altenberg

    Dr Farah Altenberg

    BOARD MEMBER

  • Portrait of Hanna Desta

    Hanna Desta

    BOARD MEMBER

  • Portrait of Stephanie Drakou

    Stephanie Drakou

    BOARD MEMBER

Questions?

We've answered some of the most common questions about how the Trust operates, how projects are selected, and how contributions are used.

If you'd like to discuss a project, partnership, membership, or donation, please get in touch.

CONTACT US

  • Yes. The Ethiopian Conservation Trust is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales and operates in accordance with UK charity regulations.

  • Projects are assessed against environmental, cultural, social, governance, and financial criteria. We support initiatives that align with the Trust's mission and demonstrate the potential for meaningful, long-term impact.

  • The Trust primarily supports initiatives delivered by trusted local partners, educational institutions, and conservation organisations in Ethiopia.

  • Contributions are directed towards approved conservation initiatives and project-related activities. The Trust is run on a voluntary basis, helping maximise the resources available for conservation work.

  • Yes. Organisations and institutions working in conservation, heritage preservation, environmental restoration, or related fields are welcome to submit projects for consideration through our Project Assessment process.

  • Annual reports, accounts, newsletters, and governance documents are available in the Transparency section of this page.

  • Where possible, donors may choose to support a specific project or contribute to the Trust's General Fund, allowing resources to be directed where they are most needed.

  • You can explore our project pages, annual reports, newsletters, and conservation updates throughout the website, or contact us directly with any questions.

  • No. The Ethiopian Conservation Trust is run on a voluntary basis and Trustees are not remunerated for their work, nor are they paid expenses.