Dashboard

LHCA Ethiopia Workshop

At the end of 2024 SLF conducted a 2-day workshop in Adidas Ababa, facilitated by Africa Leather and Leather Products Institute (ALLPI) and funded by the Leather and Hide Council of America (L&HCA). This workshop was attended by 35 delegates from 14 different African countries, and it provided the foundation for a much larger education and training programme that will ultimately result in participating tanneries undergoing ESG audits to support their businesses.

The participating facility countries included Burundi, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Egypt, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, Tunisia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, and Zambia.

The African region is just one of four regions that will benefit from the Training Programme, others include South Asia (India), Southeast Asia (Vietnam) and Latin America.

The workshop focused on introducing the delegates to key concepts, international expectations, and standards on:

  • What is Sustainability and unpacking ESG?
  • Incoming legislation
  • Introduction to US hide quality and characteristics.
  • Introduction to Sustainable Leather Foundation
  • Environmental Module: key requirements and expectations
  • Social Module: key requirements and expectations
  • Governance Module: key requirements and expectations

The workshop gave participants a platform to discuss challenges and opportunities, as well as plenty of open question sessions to allow for fluid dialogue.

Practical exercises in risk evaluation also took place to reinforce the learning, alongside considerations of effective communication.

The feedback from the delegates was overwhelmingly positive with 100% saying that they would recommend this training to others in the leather industry, that they would participate in future training and that they found the training engaging and informative.  

Testimonial from an attendee:

“I wanted to express my heartfelt gratitude to you and your team for the warm hospitality and well-organized two-day workshop. The sessions were incredibly insightful and provided a comprehensive understanding of sustainability and ESG principles in the leather industry.

The expertise and knowledge shared during the workshop have not only broadened my perspective but also reinforced the importance of adopting sustainable practices within our operations. The discussions and resources provided were invaluable, and I am confident they will play a key role in shaping our sustainability strategies moving forward.

We truly appreciate the effort and dedication your team put into making the workshop an enriching experience. We look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with the Sustainable Leather Foundation in the near future, working together to advance sustainability in the leather industry.

Thank you once again for the excellent experience, and we are eager to build a strong and lasting partnership with SLF.”

Ahmed Nuru, General Manager, Gellan Tannery

 

Follow Up Engagement:

 At the end of the workshop, SLF sent all participants:

  • Their Workshop Training Certificate
  • A link to a dedicated page on the SLF website where all materials can be downloaded
  • Materials included:
    • PowerPoint Presentation Decks for both days
    • Application Form to join the Project Programme
    • Guide to Sustainability in the Leather Industry
    • Guide to US Hides

Want to know more about the training workshops that SLF can provide? Click below: 

Guidance & Support