Yolda Initiative

(Türkçe açıklama yorumlarda) 📣COMDEKS Phase 4 Türkiye Strategy Development – Baseline Assessment Workshop was held in Samsun on August 27-28, 2024. We have gathered the local and national stakeholders for the strategy development of the 4th phase of the Community Development and Knowledge Management for the Satoyama Initiative (COMDEKS) which is implemented by GEF SGP in Türkiye. This new phase specifically targets the Socio-ecological Production Landscapes and Seascapes (SEPLS) in Bafra and Çarşamba regions of Samsun province and thematically focuses on water buffalos, rangelands, and lakes.  🪿Despite increasing threats, the region, including the Kızılırmak Delta which is a Ramsar site, still holds many areas of high biodiversity importance and natural resources vital for the livelihoods of local communities. During the workshop, we spent two productive days with 35 participants, including local producers engaged in buffalo and small livestock farming and small-scale fishing, as well as university representatives, conservation organizations, government institutions, municipal representatives, and independent experts actively working on conservation of biodiversity and sustainable livelihoods in the region. 💡Together with the participants, we first assessed the changes and threats and their drivers in comparison to the 1990s across five main themes, identifying the current situation by mapping these on a geographical scale: ·      Landscape/Seascape diversity and ecosystem integrity ·      Biodiversity and sustainable management  ·      Knowledge integration and transfer ·      Livelihood and well-being  ·      Governance and social equity Later, we mapped out the solutions and opportunities for action within these themes. 📝In addition to literature reviews, field stakeholder visits, and one-on-one meetings with experts, this workshop provided significant contributions to the preparation of the Strategy Document for the funding program, which will be launched in a couple of months! ❣️We are grateful to all the participants for their valuable contributions. Stay tuned for the Strategy Document! #COMDEKS #SatoyamaInitiative #UNDP #GEF #SGP #NatureConservation #CommunityBasedConservation #CulturalLandscapes #CulturalSeascapes #SEPLS #Biodiversity #LocalCommunities #Samsun #IYRP2026 #TheBiodiversityPlan #GBF #Pastoralism #JapanBiodiversityFund The International Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative (IPSI) UNDP Türkiye Alliance for Mediterranean Nature & Culture IYRP2026 UN Biodiversity

#NewProject (Turkish in comments) The strategic planning of the 4th phase of the Community Development and Knowledge Management for the Satoyama Initiative (COMDEKS) to be implemented in Türkiye will be developed by Yolda!  COMDEKS  aims to promote the sustainable use of natural resources in Socio-ecological Production Landscapes and Seascapes (SEPLS) with local communities and, in doing so, contribute to efforts aimed at achieving targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). It was launched in 2011 as a flagship program of The International Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative (IPSI), of which Yolda is a member. Funded by the Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MOEJ), through the UN Biodiversity Convention on Biological Diversity’s (CBD) Japan Biodiversity Fund and Keidanren Nature Conservation Fund (KNCF), the COMDEKS program is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and delivered through the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP). Within the framework of COMDEKS, many projects have been supported since 2014 in Türkiye to conserve local biodiversity and sustainable land and sea use systems.  The 4th phase of COMDEKS focuses on the theme of "Water Buffalos, Rangelands and Lakes" targeting the area between Bafra and Çarşamba districts in Samsun. To develop the strategy for the new program, we will conduct fieldwork, stakeholder meetings, and workshops to facilitate a participatory planning process in the region.  Our project also carries special significance as we approach 2026, which has been declared the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP2026) by the United Nations, due to the critical importance of pastoralists and rangelands. Stay tuned to follow our project activities in Samsun! #COMDEKS #SatoyamaInitiative #UNDP #GEF #SGP #NatureConservation #CommunityBasedConservation #CulturalLandscapes #CulturalSeascapes #SEPLS #Biodiversity #LocalCommunities #Samsun #IYRP2026 #TheBiodiversityPlan #GBF #Pastoralism #JapanBiodiversityFund

#EarthOvershootDay #DünyaLimitAşımGünü   (Turkish in comments) 🌱 The “Ecological Footprint of Nomadic Pastoralism” study, conducted with the Global Footprint Network, is one of the first studies at the herd level to measure both carbon emissions and land use in the process of goat meat production.  🐐 Additionally, it is the first research to measure the positive impacts of nomadic pastoralism on land management and use, reflecting their contributions to the local ecosystem's biocapacity. 🔍 The study showed that nomadic pastoralism not only has a significantly lower environmental impact compared to conventional production, but in some cases, it also produces net environmental benefits.  For example, activities like seed dispersal by herds or rotational grazing during migration provide restorative benefits to ecosystems.  🌏 If goat meat were produced worldwide using traditional nomadic pastoralist methods like those of Sarıkeçili nomadic pastoralists in the Taurus mountains, Earth Overshoot Day would be pushed back by 2.2 days. For the full report in English: https://bit.ly/3zYRKv0    For the factsheet in English: bit.ly/3WMb6MG Alliance for Mediterranean Nature & Culture IYRP2026 #MoveTheDate #Overshoot  #EarthOvershootDay #IYRP2026 #ecologicalfootprint #nomadicpastoralism #biocpacity #biodiversity #climate

#EarthOvershootDay #DünyaLimitAşımGünü   (Turkish in comments) 🌏 The Ecological Footprint (EF) is a method created by the Global Footprint Network (GFN) to measure human demand on natural capital. 🌱 For the “Ecological Footprint of Nomadic Pastoralism” study, we collaborated with the GFN team and set out to calculate the Ecological Footprint of goat meat production by 14 Sarıkeçili nomadic pastoralist families in the Taurus Mountains. We compared the average values obtained with national values related to industrial production methods.  🔍 The study showed that nomadic pastoralism not only has a significantly lower environmental impact compared to industrial production, but in some cases, it also produces net environmental benefits.  🐐 Goat meat produced using the methods of the Sarıkeçili nomadic pastoralists has an Ecological Footprint that requires 135% less of the planet's biocapacity compared to industrially produced goat meat in Turkey. This large difference is attributed to the various environmental benefits provided by nomadic pastoralism to ecosystems. For the full report in English: https://bit.ly/3zYRKv0    For the factsheet in English: bit.ly/3WMb6MG Alliance for Mediterranean Nature & Culture IYRP2026 #MoveTheDate #Overshoot  #EarthOvershootDay #IYRP2026 #ecologicalfootprint #nomadicpastoralism #biocpacity #biodiversity #climate

#DünyaLimitAşımGünü #EarthOvershootDay   (Turkish in comments) 🌱 Our report “Ecological Footprint of Goat Meat from Nomadic Pastoralist Families in Turkey,” resulting from our collaboration with Global Footprint Network (GFN), has been published! 🌍 The main drivers of the biodiversity and climate crisis are unsustainable production systems and consumption patterns that demand more from nature than it can regenerate, ignoring Earth's limits for renewal. However, there are still experiences, like that of the Sarıkeçili nomadic pastoralists, demonstrating that it is possible to sustain human life and livelihoods in harmony with nature.  🌏 The Ecological Footprint (EF) is a method created by GFN to measure human demand on natural capital. In collaboration with GFN, we used this method to investigate the Ecological Footprint of goat meat production by Sarıkeçili nomadic pastoralists in Turkey. Our report, based on fieldwork conducted in collaboration with the Sarıkeçililer Survival and Solidarity Association and Geççi, presents striking findings on the ecological footprint of the nomadic pastoralism practised by the Sarıkeçili community:   ‼️ Nomadic pastoralism has an Ecological Footprint that requires 135% less of the planet’s biocapacity compared to industrial production.   ‼️  If goat meat were produced worldwide using traditional nomadic pastoralist methods like those of Sarıkeçili nomadic pastoralists in the Taurus mountains, Earth Overshoot Day would be pushed back by 2.2 days. For the full report in English: https://bit.ly/3zYRKv0    For the factsheet in English: bit.ly/3WMb6MG Alliance for Mediterranean Nature & Culture IYRP2026 #MoveTheDate #Overshoot  #IYRP2026 #ecologicalfootprint #nomadicpastoralism #biocpacity  #biodiversity #climate

The fourth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (#SBI4) of the Convention on Biological Diversity in Nairobi has been a key milestone in preparation for #CBDCOP16 this October, bringing delegates together to pursue common ground in achieving the #BiodiversityPlan targets. Our joint side-event organised with Satoyama Initiative (UNU-IAS), The International Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative (IPSI), UN Biodiversity, Alliance for Mediterranean Nature & Culture (AMNC), UN Trade & Development BioTrade Initiative, and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) aimed to provide an inclusive conversation about the local impact of subsidies on Cultural Landscapes and Seascapes and SEPLS (Socio-Ecological Production Landscapes and Seascapes), supporting Target 18 of the #BiodiversityPlan. The preliminary results from the ongoing global study led by UNU-IAS on behalf of IPSI and partners, including AMNC, in collaboration with the CBD Secretariat were presented during the event. This study examines the elements of positive and negative subsidies and incentives impacting CLS (Cultural Landscapes and Seascapes) and SEPLS. During the interactive panel session, several key topics were addressed: - Factors for greater policy coherence - Mechanisms needed to achieve scale - Capturing positive and negative impacts across various actors - Reconciling multiple values of nature We will continue working to reduce harmful incentives and scale up positive ones to conserve Cultural Landscapes and Seascapes and the biodiversity they host! #Biodiversity #CBD #SBI2024 #EnvironmentalPolicy #SEPLS #CulturalLandscapes #CulturalSeascapes

Excited to announce our side event at the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI) happening in Nairobi! 🌿 Our discussion, titled "What incentives work for biodiversity at the local level?", will explore profiling subsidies and incentives for sub-national biodiversity conservation planning and implementation. The event aligns with Target 18 of the Global Biodiversity Framework, aiming to reform harmful incentives by 2025. We'll explore both the direct and indirect impacts of subsidies on local ecosystems and communities, featuring diverse perspectives from governments, IPLCs and non-governmental organisations. Through presentations and panel discussions, we aim to foster a meaningful dialogue on monitoring and achieving biodiversity targets. The event is co-organised with the Satoyama Initiative (UNU-IAS), The International Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative (IPSI), UN Biodiversity, the Alliance for Mediterranean Nature & Culture, UN Trade & Development BioTrade Initiative and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). #Biodiversity #CBD #SBI2024 #EnvironmentalPolicy #SEPLS #CulturalLandscapes #CulturalSeascapes

Please join our survey and share it with your networks working on the conservation of SEPLS or Cultural Landscapes & Seascapes. Feel free to contact the Alliance for Mediterranean Nature & Culture or The International Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative (IPSI) to get the survey link.

TR (English in comments) Göçebe hayvancılık, ekolojik döngülere dayanan, israfın minimumda tutulduğu ve doğayı koruyan bir hayvancılık sistemidir. Ancak, Sarıkeçililer gibi göçebe hayvancılar birçok ekonomik zorlukla karşılaşmaktadır. Ürünlerinin pazara uygun şekilde sunulmaması ve değerlerinin karşılığını alamamaları, bunlardan bazıları.  Buradan hareketle Sarıkeçililerin üretim kalemlerini modern pazara dahil edecek bazı öneriler geliştirdik; bunlar: 🐐 Et ve Et Ürünleri: Oğlak etinin pazarda daha iyi yer alması için standartlaşma, pazarlama stratejilerinin belirlenmesi ve iletişim çalışmaları yoluyla tüketici önyargılarının aşılması ve ürünün tanınırlığının arttırılması gerekmektedir. Ürüne yönelik marka isimlerinin geliştirilmesi ve yaratıcı iletişim stratejilerinin kullanılması önerilmektedir. 🥛 Süt ve Süt Ürünleri: Sarıkeçililerin oğlakların beslenmesine öncelik verdiği ekolojik yaklaşımlarla elde edilen az miktardaki süt, geleneksel yöntemlerle işlenerek niş organik pazarlara sunulabilir ve özellikle coğrafi işaret ve ekolojik üretim vurgusuyla pazarlanabilir. Yerel üreticilerle işbirliği ve alternatif dağıtım yöntemleri önem taşımaktadır. 💄 Kozmetik: Kozmetik sektöründe keçi ürünlerinin kullanımı için önerilenlerden biri, endüstride çoğunlukla atıl bırakılan keçi iç yağından sabun üretimi yapılması ve yerel tesislerde üretimin gerçekleştirilmesidir. Diğer bir öneri ise keçi yağının krem üretiminde kullanılmasıdır. 🧶 Kıl ve Yün Ürünleri: Sarıkeçililerin keçi kılı ürünlerini pazarda sunmak için üç olası öneri geleneksel yöntemlerle kıl ipi üretimi ve kadın istihdamıyla niş ürünler elde etmek, keçi kılının hammadde olarak pazara sunulmasıyla düşük katma değerli ürünler elde etmek veya geleneksel ve modern yöntemlerin birleştirildiği hibrit bir model oluşturmaktır. 🔗 Devamı raporumuzda: https://bit.ly/4d13lc2 #KültürelPeyzajlar #GöçebeHayvancılık #GeçimKaynakları #Sürdürülebilirlik #Ekonomi #Rapor #Sarıkeçililer #IYRP2026 Sarıkeçililer Yaşatma ve Dayanışma Derneği Geççi Innovation for Development MAVA Foundation Institut français de Turquie Alliance for Mediterranean Nature & Culture

TR (English in comments) Farklı ekosistemleri destekleyen göçebe hayvancılığın ekonomik potansiyelini keşfetmek isterseniz, sizi raporumuza göz atmaya davet ediyoruz: Göçebe hayvancılık, sürülerin mevsimsel elverişliliğe göre farklı otlaklara göç ettiği bir geçim kaynağı olarak, hayvan hareketliliği, doğal kaynaklara yönelme ve bu kaynakların ortak yönetimiyle esnekliğin, uyumluluğun ve bununla ilişkili olarak sürdürülebilirliğin en yüksek olduğu üretim sistemlerinden biridir. Bu sebeple, göçebe hayvancılık: 🐐 Yerelde sürdürülebilir üretim ve tüketim döngüsünü destekler: Her göçebe hayvancı toplulukta olduğu gibi Sarıkeçililer’de de üretim için gerekli girdinin oldukça büyük bir oranını yetiştirdikleri evcil otçullar (keçi, koyun, inek, deve) oluşturmaktadır. Bu sebeple endüstriyel hayvancılığın aksine üretim dış girdilere bağımlılığın çok az olduğu bir ekolojik sistem dahilinde ilerler. 🌱 Göçebe hayvancılar topluluk ekonomisini tercih eder: Bugün tahminen 150 çadırla varlıklarını ve göçebe hayvancılık faaliyetlerini sürdüren Sarıkeçililer yüzyıllardır sürdürdükleri geleneksel üretim biçimleriyle topluluk ekonomisine doğallığıyla aşinadırlar. 🔗 Sarıkeçililer özelinde Türkiye’de göçebe hayvancılık için sunduğumuz ekonomik önerilere ulaşmak için raporu okuyabilirsiniz: https://bit.ly/4d13lc2 #KültürelPeyzajlar #GöçebeHayvancılık #GeçimKaynakları #Sürdürülebilirlik #Ekonomi #Rapor #Sarıkeçililer #IYRP2026 Sarıkeçililer Yaşatma ve Dayanışma Derneği Geççi Innovation for Development MAVA Foundation Institut français de Turquie Alliance for Mediterranean Nature & Culture