A second phase of the joint Ethio-German Participatory and Integrated Land Use Planning Project (PILUP 2) was launched late in 2022 by the Benishangul Gumuz Regional Government at a project launching workshop, held in Assossa, Benishangul Gumuz regional capital. The event, held between 23 to 24 November 2022, aimed to build a common understanding of the architecture and overview of the PILUP II Project among actors and Project stakeholders. An official signing ceremony took place, signifying the cooperation agreement between GIZ PILUP Project Office and its government (BoLAI) and CSO (GLAD) partner institutions in the Benishangul Gumuz Region.

The Bureau of Land Administration and Investment (BoLAI) is the focal institution of the PILUP II Project in the Benishangul Gummuz Region and is coordinated by the Ethiopian Ministry of Planning and Development at national level. Mr.  Beshir Abdurahman, deputy head of BoLAI officially opened the event, at which he pointed out the timeliness and importance of integrated land use planning using participatory mechanisms, and innovative planning approaches based on human rights and gender transformative principles to achieve an effective system of land governance.

Representing the GIZ PILUP Project Office, Mr. Thomas Wiedenmann conveyed his introductory project message on the origin and intended objectives of PILUP, and key achievements and lessons drawn from its first phase, highlighting the logic and background of the project.

The new partnership with the Ethiopian Ministry of Planning and Development (MoPD) and the regional Bureau of Land Administration and Investment plays a pivotal role in demonstrating an integrated multi-sectoral approach to land use planning in harmony with human rights and gender transformative principles that ensure social participation and inclusion.

The two-day launching workshop made dialogue and built consensus on the resolution of the composition of the Regional Steering Committee and Regional Technical Committee as well as the need for better integration and coordination between a multitude of stakeholders and support partners are well promoted.

Nicolas Jewell, Team Leader of AMBERO Consulting, summarized in his concluding remark that successful project outcomes would depend on the project enabling active participation and achieving effective engagement with all stakeholders.

Representatives of regional, Federal multi-sectoral authorities; academia; local communities of the selected pilot districts, Civic Organizations, and the Media attended the PILUP II launching workshop in Assossa.