Organization for Welfare & Development in Action - OWDA

What Organization for Welfare & Development in Action - OWDA does

The Organization for Welfare & Development in Action (OWDA) is an Ethiopian nonprofit humanitarian organization founded in December 1999 under registration No. 0421, originally created to respond to the 1999/2000 drought and now operating continuously for 23+ years. Headquartered in Addis Ababa with a regional office in Jijiga, OWDA delivers programs across every zone of the Somali Regional State of Ethiopia, reaching vulnerable children, mothers, IDP communities, and rural drought-affected households. Its portfolio is organized into four programmatic sectors — Education and Child Protection, Food Security and Livelihood, WASH & ESNFI (Water, Sanitation, Hygiene, and Emergency Shelter/Non-Food Items), and Health and Nutrition — with flagship initiatives including the Global Affairs Canada-funded Brighter Outcomes Ethiopia (BOE) Project (2023-2026), clean water borehole/well/rainwater harvesting systems, adult literacy programs, and maternal healthcare services.

OWDA's business model is that of a grant-funded nonprofit, not a commercial enterprise. It does not sell products or services to beneficiaries; instead, it secures funding from individual donations and from institutional grants provided by international development organizations, governments, and humanitarian agencies including UNICEF, WFP, UNHCR, WHO, USAID, KfW, UKaid, Gavi, UNFPA, and Global Affairs Canada. The organization implements programs through direct field staff, trained community healthcare workers, and community-based structures such as Parent-Teacher-Student Associations (PTSAs), gender clubs, youth groups, and women's associations, often in partnership with international NGOs such as Save the Children International, Mercy Corps, NRC, and Cordaid. Governance rests with a 53-member General Assembly delegating oversight to a 5-member Board of Directors elected to four-year terms.

Operationally, OWDA has no disclosed technology platform, no proprietary AI/ML systems, no mobile applications, and no APIs; its core delivery assets are human capital, community relationships, and the institutional donor and partner network that funds its work. There is no headcount data, no audited financial disclosure, and no evidence of equity funding, M&A activity, or commercial revenue streams — consistent with a privately held national NGO operating in a donor-funded humanitarian sector.

Name

Organization for Welfare & Development in Action - OWDA

Legal name

Organization for Welfare and Development in Action

Website

https://owdaeth.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

OWDA is an Ethiopian nonprofit humanitarian organization founded in 1999 that delivers education, health, WASH, and food security programs across the Somali Regional State, funded by international grants and donations and implemented through partnerships with UN agencies and major INGOs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Humanitarian Aid and Community Development Services

NAICS

Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Community Food Services (624210)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Health, Population & WASH Aid Programs (BPADABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Rural Livelihoods & Economic Empowerment (BPAGABAA), NGO/Nonprofit Education Programs & Service Delivery (EDADALAC), Cash Assistance & Social Safety Net Delivery for Displaced Populations (BPADAHAH)

Keywords

• Humanitarian aid services
• Community development programs
• Education and child protection
• Food security and livelihoods
• Water and sanitation programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Addis Ababa

HQ country

Ethiopia

HQ region

Africa

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: OWDA relies on voluntary donations from individuals, organizations, and supporters to fund humanitarian programs and community development initiatives. Donations are used to build schools, provide medical care, ensure clean water access, and offer nutritional support to vulnerable populations.
2. International Development Grants and Funding: OWDA receives funding from international development organizations, governments, and humanitarian agencies to implement large-scale development and relief programs across Ethiopia.

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

OWDA is a nonprofit humanitarian organization that delivers free development and relief programs to vulnerable communities across Ethiopia, with a primary focus on the Somali Regional State. Its core offerings span four programmatic sectors: Education and Child Protection, Food Security and Livelihood, WASH & ESNFI (Water, Sanitation, Hygiene and Essential Non-Food Items), and Health & Nutrition. Services are funded through donations and institutional grants and delivered directly to beneficiaries through field operations and partner organizations.

Product overview

OWDA operates as a nonprofit humanitarian organization with multiple sectoral programs rather than a unified technology product. Its portfolio comprises four main programmatic sectors (Education and Child Protection, Food Security and Livelihood, WASH & ESNFI, and Health & Nutrition), implemented through specific projects including the Brighter Outcomes Ethiopia Project, Clean Water Initiatives, Adult Education Programs, and Maternal Healthcare Services. These programs are delivered across the Somali Regional State of Ethiopia through partnerships with international organizations and are funded by institutional donors such as Global Affairs Canada and various UN agencies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Education and Child Protection Sector Programmatic sector ensuring access to quality education and protecting vulnerable children from harm and exploitation, including initiatives like the Brighter Outcomes Ethiopia Project for IDP school communities.
• Food Security and Livelihood Sector Programmatic sector promoting sustainable solutions to combat hunger and improve livelihoods for families in need, addressing food insecurity and economic empowerment for at-risk populations.
• WASH & ESNFI Sector Programmatic sector providing clean water access, sanitation facilities, and essential non-food items to enhance health and hygiene in vulnerable communities affected by drought and water scarcity.
• Health & Nutrition Sector Programmatic sector delivering vital healthcare services and nutrition support to improve community well-being, including maternal healthcare, antenatal/postnatal care, and child nutrition.
• Brighter Outcomes Ethiopia Project (BOE) A 2023-2026 education initiative strengthening school governance and inclusive education across Allan, Darso, Kuraley, and Waladaya Gabarey schools in Dollo Bay IDP communities, with PTSAs mobilizing resources for classroom construction.
• Clean Water Initiatives Initiative delivering sustainable water supply solutions including boreholes, wells, and rainwater harvesting systems to provide clean water access in the Somali Region and throughout Ethiopia, with capacity-building for community water management.
• Adult Education and Community Empowerment Programs Lifelong learning initiative offering courses in basic reading, writing, and numeracy skills for older adults, combined with sustainable energy projects like solar-powered lighting to empower communities.
• Maternal Healthcare Services Service improving antenatal and postnatal care for mothers by establishing healthcare facilities in underserved areas and training local healthcare workers, delivering safe delivery practices and health education.

Quantifiable outcome

• 400+ projects completed over 23+ years of service
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Save the Children International (SCI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Implementing partner for the BOE Project alongside OWDA. SCI brings expertise in child protection and education programs to strengthen school systems in Dollo Bay IDP schools.
• UNICEFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUN agency partner supporting child welfare programs and humanitarian initiatives across Ethiopia.
• World Food Programme (WFP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUN agency partner addressing food security and nutrition needs in vulnerable communities.
• UNHCRcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUN refugee agency partner supporting displaced populations and refugee communities.
• WHOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld Health Organization partner supporting health programs and healthcare system strengthening.
• UNOPScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUN Office for Project Services supporting infrastructure and procurement for development projects.
• Save the ChildrencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational NGO partner for child-focused programs including education and child protection.
• Mercy CorpsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational humanitarian organization partner for development and resilience programs.
• Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorwegian humanitarian organization supporting refugee and displaced person assistance.
• CordaidmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDutch Catholic organization supporting peacebuilding and development programs.
• GavimajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization supporting immunization programs.
• UNFPAmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUN Population Fund supporting reproductive health and maternal health programs.
• IOM UN MigrationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational Organization for Migration supporting migration and displacement response.
• Norwegian Church Aid (NCA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorwegian humanitarian organization supporting development and relief programs.
• HEKSmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss church development organization supporting community development initiatives.
• Arche NovamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman humanitarian organization supporting development and relief programs.
• MedecmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedical humanitarian organization supporting healthcare programs.
• DenanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHumanitarian organization supporting vulnerable populations.
• Education Development CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational development organization supporting education programs.
• COREminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHumanitarian organization supporting various development initiatives.
• DeaconessminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHumanitarian organization supporting community development.
• Ethiopian Heart Foundation (EHF)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization supporting health programs.
• GenevaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHumanitarian organization partner.
• Women's Hope InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization supporting women's empowerment and maternal health programs.
• HumedicaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedical humanitarian organization supporting healthcare programs.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Save the Children International: Active co-implementing partner on OWDA's BOE Project, Save the Children International operates education, child protection, health, and nutrition programs in Ethiopia with comparable multi-sectoral delivery and similar institutional donor base.
• Mercy Corps: Listed partner of OWDA, Mercy Corps delivers humanitarian and resilience programs across Ethiopia spanning food security, WASH, livelihoods, and youth — closely matching OWDA's integrated service model.
• Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC): NRC is a listed OWDA partner operating in Ethiopia with a focus on displacement-affected populations; its education, WASH, and livelihoods programming in the Somali Region overlaps directly with OWDA's portfolio.
• CARE Ethiopia: CARE Ethiopia is a long-standing humanitarian NGO delivering integrated programs in food security, WASH, health, and women's empowerment across multiple Ethiopian regions, including pastoralist areas similar to OWDA's Somali Region focus.
• Action Against Hunger Ethiopia: Action Against Hunger delivers nutrition, food security, WASH, and health programs in drought- and displacement-affected areas of Ethiopia, with a comparable target population and integrated humanitarian approach to OWDA.

Broad incumbents

• International Rescue Committee (IRC) Ethiopia: IRC delivers health, education, economic recovery, and protection services for crisis-affected populations in Ethiopia, including IDP response that directly overlaps OWDA's beneficiary segments.
• World Vision Ethiopia: World Vision is a large international NGO with multi-sector programming (education, child protection, health, livelihoods) across Ethiopia; it is a broader incumbent with overlapping capabilities but operates nationally rather than regionally focused.
• Oxfam Ethiopia: Oxfam runs WASH, food security, gender, and resilience programs in Ethiopia with similar UN/bilateral donor mix and humanitarian-development nexus orientation to OWDA's work.
• Catholic Relief Services Ethiopia: CRS operates a portfolio of agriculture/livelihoods, health, and education programs across Ethiopia, drawing on similar institutional donor relationships and offering comparable multi-sector community-based delivery.
• UNICEF Ethiopia: UNICEF is both a listed OWDA partner and a parallel funder/implementer of education, child protection, maternal health, and WASH programs in Ethiopia, making it the closest public-sector comparator for OWDA's portfolio.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/owdaorg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Organization for Welfare & Development in Action - OWDA