Take action

Start planning your activity for the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists! From food tastings and cooking demonstrations to sports activities, cultural performances, panel discussions or lectures, there are many ways to promote rangelands and pastoralists. You can download a set of information materials in several languages from the Communication Toolkit.  

A set of actions has been developed for various sectors, but these lists are not exhaustive: if you come up with additional actions, we would love to hear about them!

Here are concrete actions governments and policymakers can take to protect rangelands and support pastoralists: 

  • Develop policies and legislation that support pastoralists and recognize their role in food production, economies, and sustainable ecosystem management. 
  • Secure pastoralists’ land, water, rights and recognize customary governance systems and Indigenous knowledge. 
  • Develop markets, services, and infrastructure that are adapted to pastoralists. 
  • Support research and data collection that can inform policy on rangelands and pastoralists.  
  • Promote pastoralist products and fair value chains to improve livelihoods. 
  • Support pastoralist women and youth in gaining access to livestock ownership, land use, technology, knowledge, information, finance, and appropriate services.  

With political will and investment, governments can secure resilient rangelands and a sustainable future for the communities who steward them. 

Here are concrete actions NGOs, cooperatives and civil society can take to support rangelands and pastoralists: 

  • Raise awareness and advocate for rangelands and pastoralists. 
  • Strengthen pastoralists’ negotiating power and promote fair, value-chain partnerships. 
  • Support documentation of pastoral practices such as rangeland management and mobility, animal husbandry, or disease management. 
  • Build pastoralists’ skills in food processing, by-product transformation, and marketing. 
  • Develop participatory rangeland monitoring and restoration projects and organize peer-to-peer learning exchanges. 
  • Promote stories, products, and innovations led by pastoralist women and youth. 

By working alongside pastoralist communities, NGOs, cooperatives and civil society can help secure healthy rangelands, fair markets and resilient livelihoods for future generations.

Here are concrete actions development partners can take to support rangelands and pastoralists: 

  • Develop and implement programmes that improve pastoralist livelihoods and sustainable rangeland use.  
  • Support fair and equitable value chains for pastoralist products.  
  • Invest in participatory rangeland monitoring and governance that encourages mobility.  
  • Fund research, innovation, and restoration projects rooted in local knowledge.  
  • Strengthen access to financial and social services, including education, health, and veterinary care for pastoral communities.  

Long-term investment and collaboration, can help safeguard rangelands and livelihoods for future generations. 

Here are concrete actions researchers and academic institutions can take to support rangelands and pastoralists: 

  • Adapt standard methods, and tools for rangeland assessment, mapping and monitoring.  
  • Generate and share evidence on rangelands, climate resilience, food security, and livelihoods.  
  • Conduct participatory research with pastoralists,  valuing their traditional knowledge.  
  • Join thematic research groups and foster scientific collaboration.  
  • Document best practices and emerging innovations in pastoralism and rangeland management.  

By expanding data and research, academics can close knowledge gaps and strengthen policy and practice for sustainable futures for rangelands and pastoralists. 

Here are simple actions we can all take to support pastoralists and rangelands:  

  • Learn about rangelands and pastoralists, who they are, where they are, and spread their stories.  
  • Recognize the contribution of rangelands and pastoralists to nutrition, biodiversity, culture, and climate mitigation and adaptation.  
  • Purchase rangeland and pastoralist products, including food, fibre, crafts and medicinal plants.  
  • Spread the word using #IYRP2026 in your community and online.  

Small actions amplify awareness. Awareness builds support.  

Together we can help protect rangelands and the people who sustain them. 

Here are actions pastoralist communities can take to strengthen their resilience and preserve rangelands: 

  • Advocate for land rights, mobility, and secure access to resources. 
  • Take part in decision-making processes to shape policies and solutions. 
  • Share and preserve Indigenous and traditional knowledge with youth and fellow herders. 
  • Form herder groups and networks to negotiate better prices and improve market access. 
  • Join training opportunities in advocacy, entrepreneurship, processing, animal health or climate adaptation. 
  • Empower women and youth by recognizing their leadership, knowledge, innovation, and role in sustaining livelihoods.  
  • Work with all stakeholders to monitor rangelands and co-develop solutions. 

Pastoralist knowledge, know-how and leadership are central to the future of rangelands. 
Together, pastoralists can secure their livelihoods and keep these landscapes thriving for generations.