IGAD/ICPALD 2022-2025 Sustainable Ecosystem Management in Cross-border Areas IGAD/ICPALD 2022-2025 Sustainable Ecosystem Management in Cross-border Areas Projektet syftar till en förbättrad motståndskraft av pastoralisters och agro-pastoralisters försörjning genom en hållbar förvaltning och nyttjande av gemensamma betesmarker i gränsområden inom IGAD. The purpose of this project is to enhance the resilience of pastoralist and agro-pastoralist livelihoods through sustainable management and the use of shared rangelands in cross-border areas of the IGAD region.

The IGAD Regional Report on Food Crises states that nearly 42 million people were in Crisis or worse (IPC Phase 3 or above) or equivalent in seven IGAD member states during the peak period of 2021 identified for each country. This has increased to over 50 Million in 2022. The region has continued to experience unfavorable weather in 2022 and the outlook for the coming season is reported to be grim (Source: ICAPC statement at the Beyond Food Crises event in Nairobi, October 6, 2022). Among the most vulnerable communities are pastoralists and agro-pastoralists in cross-border areas of Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs). The IGAD region has a population of over 230 million people and about 70 percent of the region is made up of Arid and Semi Arid Lands (ASALs), which receive less than 600 mm of rainfall annually [1].Sweden has been contributing to the efforts of resilience building in the Horn of Africa over the years. In relations to the recent escalation of food crises in the region, IGAD and its partners organized a 2 days event in Nairobi to build the momentum to rise up to the current challenge.Cross-border areas in the IGAD region are highly vulnerable to climate risks and are facing multiple challenges including rangeland ecosystem degradation, water shortage and conflicts. Resilience of ecosystem from which people largely generate their livelihoods is at the core of sustainable development for cross-border areas. The purpose of this project is to enhance the resilience of pastoralist and agro-pastoralist livelihoods through sustainable management and the use of shared rangelands in cross-border areas of the IGAD region.The proposed contribution is 43.2 MSEK (Swedish Kronor Forty-three Million Two Hundred Thousand) for a period of 3 years starting in December 2022.The proposal by IGAD responds to a critical need in the region and builds on previous efforts of making policies and natural resources management tools work for adaptation. It also perfectly fits the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) [2].The contribution is aligned to the priorities identified in the Sweden's Strategy for Regional Development Cooperation with Africa (2022-2026). Specifically, the planned contribution is relevant to strategic objectives 1.1 and 1.2 support area one under Support Area 1: Environment, climate and sustainable use of natural resourcesStrategic Objective 1.1: Strengthened conditions for sustainable management and use of natural resources, including protection, conservation and restoration of biodiversity and its ecosystem services.Strategic Objective 1.2: Improved adaptability and strengthened resilience to climate change and environmental and natural disasters.IGAD and Sweden have been collaborating and continue to collaborate on several interventions. The purpose of this project is to enhance the resilience of pastoralist and agro-pastoralist livelihoods through sustainable management and the use of shared rangelands in cross-border areas of the IGAD region.

The following five objectives will be the focus areas:

1) To build knowledge and understanding about status of shared rangelands in the cross-border areas to support sustainable management,

2) To enhance feed and fodder availability for men and women pastoralists and agro-pastoralists through regulated use and management of shared rangelands in cross-border areas,

3) To diversify livelihoods for men and women pastoralists and agro-pastoralists through sustainable production and use of wild and domesticated rangelands products (gum and resin, Olivera, etc) and other enterprises,

4) To support research that inform sustainable rangeland ecosystem and pastoral resilience, and

5) To improve governance of transhumance routes and wildlife corridors in cross-border areas.