WOCAT and partners are inviting participants to the upcoming Training of Instructors (ToI) workshop for the Arab Region! This virtual event will take place from 3–6 February 2025 and is part of the G20 GLI "Trigger Change! Innovative Sustainable Agriculture Solutions for Land Restoration" course. The workshop empowers instructors with essential tools, knowledge, and networking opportunities to bring SLM and land restoration education into their classrooms. Attendees will have the chance to explore interactive modules, hear from global experts, and engage in virtual field experiences that illustrate transformative SLM practices in action.

More information on "Trigger Change!" here

The sixteenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the UNCCD is taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 2-13 December 2024. The UNCCD is the world’s foremost platform for governments, businesses and civil society to come together and to discuss present-day challenges and chart a sustainable future for land. This year's COP coincides with the Convention's 30th anniversary. WOCAT and partners are present and contributing to different sessions and side events.

WOCAT has published an article in the latest issue of Rural 21 titled "Embracing Gender for Sustainable Land Management".

This article underscores the critical importance of integrating gender perspectives into SLM to achieve more inclusive and effective outcomes. It highlights innovative approaches, tools, and experiences developed by WOCAT to ensure gender-responsive SLM practices that empower both women and men. By addressing gender inequalities and promoting equal participation, WOCAT aims to enhance the sustainability of land management efforts while contributing to improved livelihoods and ecosystem resilience.

This year's World Soil Day theme, "Caring for Soils: Measure, Monitor, Manage", resonates with the mission of WOCAT's Consortium Partner ISRIC – World Soil Information. To mark the day and its alignment with UNCCD COP16, WOCAT and ISRIC hosted two key events at the WOCAT-UNCCD Pavilion: a morning session (WOCAT Morning Meetup) on ISRIC soil maps (i.e. SoilGrids) and an afternoon session: From SoilGrids to Soils4Africa.

These events underscored the vital role of soil data and collaboration in sustainable land management.

End November a workshop to instructors of “Trigger Change! Innovative Sustainable Agriculture Solutions for Land Restoration” (Training of Trainers) was held for Southeast Asia Educators. The objective was to equip educators with the knowledge and tools needed to integrate the “Trigger Change!” course into their curricula.

Save the date for the next Training of Trainers Workshops early 2025: Arab Region 3-6 February, Latin America 25-28 March, and Europe tbc.

Uganda Landcare Network, an Organizational Member of WOCAT, is marking 10 incredible years of fostering SLM in Uganda! As part of the celebrations, the Mayor of Masaka City, Uganda, received the SLM Catalogue, a testament to ULN’s dedication to promoting land restoration and sustainable practices. This collection of SLM practices was compiled as part of the IFAD-funded project Scaling up SLM practices by smallholder farmers.