Yolda Initiative is a nature conservation organisation working at international level. Yolda works for conserving biodiversity through research, advocacy, communication and by working in partnerships. Recognizing that humans, with their cultural diversity, are an integral component of ecosystems, Yolda focuses on the value of the traditional cultural practises, particularly mobile pastoralism, that benefit biodiversity and contribute to efforts for climate change mitigation & adaptation
Our Collaborations
Roads Less Travelled
Roads Less Travelled is a new collaborative and global programme of work which supports and helps mobile pastoralist communities maintain their lifestyles and continue moving freely through the landscape. Developed by Yolda Initiative, DiversEarth and Trashumancia y Naturaleza and through research, lobbying, outreach and celebration, Roads Less Travelled aims to inform decision makers on the benefits mobile pastoralist communities bring to nature, climate and all societies, at the cost of none and to the benefit of all.
Cultural Landscapes in Mediterranean Partnership
Local communities all over the Mediterranean basin still engage in many traditional cultural practices, which together with mobile pastoralism contribute to the ecological integrity and diversity of Mediterranean landscapes. However, the threats of modern era that these communities are facing today challenge their capability to maintain their traditional lifestyles. This calls for urgent action. In order to conserve these traditional cultural practices which enable the maintaince and management of landscape diversity and halt biodiversity loss in Mediterranean Basin, 13 organizations joined forces at landscape and regional levels with the support provided by MAVA Foundation. In addition to interventions at 5 pilot sites, mobile pastoralism is addressed at the regional level by Roads Less Travelled.
Mediterranean Consortium for Nature & Culture
The Mediterranean Consortium for Nature & Culture (or MCNC for short), is a collective movement to support and raise awareness for cultural practices that have a positive impact on biodiversity in the Mediterranean. Currently made up of 6 partners, we work with communities to protect biodiversity by understanding, supporting and helping safeguard ways of living that contribute to the conservation of the Mediterranean’s rich natural and cultural heritage and the sustainable use of its resources – celebrating the ingenuity of people across the Basin who protect and manage their lands and waters.
International Year of Rangelands & Pastoralists Initiative
Despite the need to conserve mobile pastoralism with its many benefits for rangelands, which are one of the most imperilled and the least protected ecosystems on earth, vastly under-represented in the world’s protected area system, mobile pastoralism has not been paid enough attention by the global community. The knowledge we have of the multiple benefits the practise provides to both humankind and nature; its current situation; the drivers of the threats and the gaps and needs that conservation efforts should address is still lacking and fragmented. In order to address this need and to increase knowledge and understanding and to develop sustainable actions for conserving these unique ecosystems and the pastoralists who rely on them, there is an alliance of many organizations working together towards gaining a United Nations resolution designating an International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists.
Our Supporters
