Mountain rangelands are extensive “working landscapes” that sustain unique ecosystems, cultures and livelihoods across the world’s mountain regions. Managed primarily through pastoralism and agro‑pastoral systems, these landscapes provide essential ecosystem services, including biodiversity conservation, watershed protection, carbon storage and climate regulation. Mountain pastoralism is characterized by mobility, seasonality and the collective use of land and natural resources, enabling human societies to thrive in some of the world’s most environmentally variable and climatically sensitive areas.
Mountain rangelands play a central role in sustaining livelihoods and agrifood systems, both locally and beyond mountain regions. Pastoralism supports diverse livestock species and value chains – such as meat, dairy, wool and fibres – while maintaining ecological connectivity across elevations and ecosystems. Pastoral systems are also fundamental to biodiversity conservation in mountain regions, sustaining a wide range of locally adapted livestock breeds – from yaks in the Himalayas to camelids in the Andes – and maintaining rangeland ecosystems that support both wildlife and agrobiodiversity.
Yet, pastoralists face growing pressures from climate change, land degradation, biodiversity loss, land fragmentation, insecure tenure and limited access to markets and services. These challenges are compounded by social and demographic changes, including youth outmigration, gender inequalities and the erosion of traditional knowledge. As of 2017, one in two rural mountain people in developing countries were vulnerable to food insecurity, underscoring the vulnerability of mountain populations and the critical importance of resilient mountain food systems.
Climate change is intensifying pressures on mountain rangelands, altering pasture productivity, water availability and seasonal patterns of mobility, and increasing exposure to extreme events such as droughts, wildfires and floods. These impacts are often compounded by land degradation, competing land uses, shrinking grazing corridors and weak land‑tenure systems that limit secure access to land, water and markets, undermining customary governance arrangements and pastoral resilience. At the same time, well-managed pastoral systems can contribute to climate adaptation and mitigation, biodiversity conservation and disaster risk reduction, while supporting culturally rich and resilient livelihoods. Recognizing both the challenges and opportunities associated with pastoralism, the United Nations has proclaimed 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP), highlighting the need to strengthen policies, governance and investment in rangelands and to amplify the voices of pastoral communities, including women and youth.
The 19th annual IPROMO summer school is hosted by the Mountain Partnership Secretariat (MPS) and the University of Turin, with the collaboration of the town of Ormea and CNR IRPI. It will provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of sustainable mountain development, focusing on the ecological, social, economic and governance dimensions of mountain pastoral systems, combining scientific and traditional knowledge with policy perspectives and field-based learning.
Through lectures, interactive discussions and practical exercises, participants will engage with experts and peers to deepen their knowledge of mountain rangelands and their critical role in sustaining mountain ecosystems and enhancing the resilience of mountain communities. IPROMO 2026 also aims to equip professionals with the skills, tools and networks needed to advocate for and implement effective measures to protect mountain ecosystems while ensuring the well-being of those who depend on them.
Objectives
The IPROMO 2026 Summer School aims to explore adaptation strategies, policies, tools and skills that can contribute to promoting sustainable development and resilience in mountain areas. The course is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and resources needed to address the unique challenges faced by mountain ecosystems and communities, particularly in the context of mountain rangelands, pastoral systems and mountain communities.
Tailored for young and mid-career professionals, this year's course will address key issues of sustainable mountain development, contributing to a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by mountain ecosystems and communities.
The lectures will explore climate change in mountain regions, mountain rangelands and pastoral systems, and their vital contributions to mountain ecosystems and communities. Emphasis will be placed on the interconnectedness of rangelands, pastoral livelihoods, food security and biodiversity in these regions.
Expected outcomes
By the end of the course, participants will have developed an advanced understanding of mountain rangelands and their vulnerabilities in mountain areas and a broader perspective of what sustainable mountain development entails.
IPROMO graduates will join the ranks of a unique alumni network of mountain researchers and practitioners with whom to develop future collaborations.
Structure and venue
The summer school will take place in person in one charming Italian alpine village – Ormea in northwest Italy – with multiple field trips to the surrounding areas. The course can accommodate approximately 30 participants, who will be selected among officers, researchers and technicians working on mountain rangelands, pastoral systems and sustainable mountain development worldwide.
Participants will arrive on 13 July 2026, and activities will begin on 14 July 2026 with an overview of the course. The summer school will end on 23 July 2026 with a closing ceremony.
The course will include lectures, seminars, group work and field trips. The lecturers will be experts from the United Nations system, universities, international organizations and non-governmental organizations.
Given the nature of the activities and the challenging mountain environment in which they take place, participants need to demonstrate a high level of adaptability.
The activities in Ormea will be supported by the City of Ormea and organized by the University of Turin's Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences (DISAFA), the Interdepartmental Research Centre on Natural Risks in Mountain and Hilly Environments (NatRisk) and the National Research Council - Research Institute for Hydrogeological Prevention and Protection (CNR-IRPI).
Basic information
Requirements:
