GCSAYN & African Youth Pastoral Initiative (AYPI)
GCSAYN Supporting Africa’s Pastoralist Youth to mobilize and engage in policy dialogues: the Africa Youth Pastoralist Initiative.
The Year 2026 has been declared the Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) by the United Nations. In preparation for this a series of consultations with pastoralist youth across the world have been taking place to develop a vision for pastoralism in the face of climate change. A sustainable yet forward-looking pastoralism can bring adaptation, mitigation and economic growth benefits. We invite you to come together with other pastoralist youth to start developing that vision!
IYRP 2026 aims to raise awareness of the vital importance of rangelands and pastoralists as their frontline custodians. We recognize the indispensable benefits rangelands provide for supporting the livelihoods and socio-ecological resilience of hundreds of millions of people, conserving bio-cultural diversity, restoring degraded lands, fostering sustainable food systems, and advancing climate action. Check out the IYRP Supporting Organisations.
The IYRP Global Alliance calls for:
(1) recognizing and supporting pastoralists’ livelihoods, rights and cultural values;
(2) fostering greater knowledge and innovation towards sustainability;
(3) advancing policies supporting sustainable rangelands and pastoralism; and
(4) ensuring ethical and sustainable investment in rangelands and pastoralist development.
The economic, environmental and social importance of rangelands, and of pastoralists as their custodians, are fully recognized, rewarded, safeguarded and protected worldwide.
IYRP 2026 GOALS
- Increase public awareness of the societal value derived from rangelands and pastoralists.
- Promote pastoralist knowledge, innovation and coalition building to meet contemporary needs.
- Advocate for evidence-based policy and legislation that supports sustainable rangeland stewardship and pastoralist livelihoods.
- Foster ethical investment to address challenges confronting rangelands and pastoralists in the 21st century.
VISION
- Explore rangelands and pastoralist communities in different regions of the world!
- Find out how rangelands and pastoralists contribute to culture, economy and environmental health!
- See the beauty of the rangelands and listen to stories of the people who care for them!
MISSION
- A series of consultations were organized by ILRI, CSAYN, and PROCASUR as a contribution to the One CGIAR initiative on Livestock, Climate and System Resilience (LCSR).
OBJECTIVES
In partnership with the Climate Smart Agriculture Youth Network and Procasur, ILRI supported the first in the series of consultations held at Lukenya University in Makueni County, Kenya from the 27-29 September 2022, which brought together 28 young pastoralists living and working in the pastoral regions of Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania. Over three days the youth participants shared their knowledge and skills, learned from each other and listened to experts discuss climate change mitigation strategies and adaptations. The consultation was also a space to develop friendships and networks, providing the youth with a stronger voice moving forward. The pinnacle of the event was developing a statement on the future of pastoralism in the face of climate change, addressing the challenges and defining opportunities for future action. For more information about AYPI check here >>>