Updates and Achievements

Reindeer Herding Component represents a global effort to build a comprehensive knowledge base on the traditional knowledge and practices of reindeer herders regarding land, pastures, and thawing permafrost. Its aim is to enhance the capacity of indigenous reindeer herders, focusing on youth, through learning and training, with the overarching goal of increasing community resilience. This initiative is integral to a partnership between GEF and UNEP dedicated to enhancing ecosystem services in peatland areas.

In 2023, the Reindeer Herding Component made significant strides in its mission to empower Indigenous reindeer herders and enhance sustainable landscape management. The year began with foundational activities aimed at building capacity and fostering collaboration among global stakeholders. In January, the International Centre for Reindeer Husbandry (ICR), in partnership with the UArctic EALAT Institute, Harvard Kennedy School’s Arctic Initiative and Tufts University Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, launched two training courses for Indigenous and reindeer herding youth. These courses focused on indigenous knowledge, sustainable development, and leadership skills, set the stage for empowering future leaders within reindeer herding communities.

Throughout the year, the Reindeer Herding Component was prominently featured at various international forums and events, including Arctic Frontiers, Arctic Science Summit Week, High North Dialogue, Sámpi as Homeland Research Ethics seminar, Arendal Week, GEF Assembly, World Food Forum and UN Global Indigenous Youth Forum, Arctic Circle Assembly, along with multiple meetings bringing global youth from indigenous reindeer herders together for dialogue and cooperation. These platforms provided opportunities for stakeholders to discuss innovative approaches to sustainable reindeer husbandry and showcase the contributions of indigenous knowledge to global resilience efforts. Notably, the project’s participation in the Arendal Week underscored its commitment to engaging policymakers, researchers, and the public in discussions on Arctic sustainability and indigenous empowerment.

  

As per the work plan, project activities in 2023 included collection and assessment of the gender-sensitive traditional knowledge on existing and past global land-uses, land degradation, and indigenous reindeer herders’ food governance; preparation of various mapping systems, including GIS-based and participatory land-use maps; development of global resilience indicators for assessing sustainable management of rangelands and pastoralism; developing and conducting trainings, workshops, and sessions for and by reindeer herders on traditional knowledge, co-production, land use, sustainable development, leadership and diplomacy along with other cross-learning events between reindeer herding communities and other actor groups.

In February-March, pivotal meetings took place in Geneva and Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, underscoring the project’s international scope and collaborative spirit. Discussions at the International Environment House in Geneva organised by the UNEP Europe Office highlighted the urgent challenges facing reindeer herders due to climate change and environmental degradation, emphasizing the need for global cooperation. Meanwhile, in Mongolia, the ICR team engaged with key stakeholders including the Taiga Nature Society and UNEP focal point, Dr. Tserendulam Shagdarsuren to outline project plans and coordinate future activities in the region. These consultations laid the groundwork for subsequent field visits and workshops focused on knowledge exchange and capacity building. 

In May and June, 2023, the project team conducted field visits to Mongolia’s Tsagaannuur region, where they met with Dukha reindeer herders to address community concerns and plan future initiatives. These interactions highlighted the importance of preserving traditional knowledge and adapting to environmental changes while fostering youth involvement in sustainable practices. The establishment of a communication center for Dukha reindeer herding youth emerged as a critical initiative to ensure the continuity of traditional practices and community resilience.

  

 

As the year progressed, the Reindeer Herding Component continued to facilitate cross-learning and capacity-building activities. In July-August, it hosted training programs and dialogues at the the Arendal Week in Arendal, Norway, emphasizing the role of indigenous youth in preserving biodiversity and adapting to climate change. ICR, in cooperation with the Arctic Initiative at the Harvard Belfer Center Kennedy School, Woodwell Climate Research Center, and the University of the Arctic, organised training for Indigenous and reindeer herdring youth: “Exploring Arctic Sustainability: Enhancing Resilience, Addressing Land Degradation and Permafrost Thaw through Indigenous Youth Empowerment”. The program welcomed students from Alaska, Canada, Mongolia, Norway, Sweden, and Russia. Three students in the courses were representing Dukha reindeer herders from East and West Taiga, Tsagaannuur. These training sessions not only fostered knowledge exchange but also reinforced the project’s commitment to empowering young leaders within reindeer herding communities globally. In Arendal, Dukha reindeer youth made a film which was presented at the GEF Assembly 2023.

The Reindeer Herding Component was prominently featured at various global assemblies and forums in 2023, showcasing the resilience and traditional knowledge of indigenous reindeer herders. At the 7th GEF Assembly in August 2023, a pivotal side event titled “Reindeer Herding and Resilience: Enhancing Pastoral Ecosystems and Nomadic Societies,” organized by UNEP, brought together young nomadic herders from around the world. Their discussions centered on indigenous herders’ capacity to combat land degradation and enhance ecosystem services through community resilience. The event underscored the crucial role of traditional knowledge in sustaining reindeer herding as a livelihood and as custodians of biodiversity.

A noteworthy cross-learning initiative occurred in August 2023 when young Dukha reindeer herders from Mongolia visited Sámi reindeer herders in Norway. This exchange facilitated a rich dialogue on reindeer herding practices, land use strategies, migration routes, and indigenous food systems. It exemplified the project’s commitment to fostering mutual learning and cultural exchange among diverse reindeer herding communities.

The project continued its advocacy at the World Food Forum and UN Global Indigenous Youth Forum, where it organized sessions highlighting the importance of traditional knowledge in preserving biodiversity, health, and culture. Discussions among young herders from various indigenous groups addressed pressing issues such as climate change and sustainable livelihoods, further emphasizing the resilience and adaptive capacity of nomadic communities.

In October 2023, during the Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavik, Iceland, the Reindeer Herding Component featured prominently in sessions such as the NOMAD Indigenous FoodLab and discussions on pasture resilience. These sessions facilitated innovative approaches to traditional food systems and addressed challenges like competing land use and infrastructure development threatening reindeer herding pastures globally.

Publications like the second volume of “Reindeer Husbandry: Resilience in the Changing Arctic,” presented during these gatherings, highlighted ongoing research and contributions by key stakeholders, including the International Centre for Reindeer Husbandry (ICR) and Uarctic EÁLAT.

Overall, the Reindeer Herding Component in 2023 has significantly advanced its mission to empower indigenous reindeer herders by amplifying their voices, sharing best practices, and advocating for sustainable practices amidst environmental challenges. These efforts are crucial in ensuring the continuity of reindeer herding as a sustainable livelihood and in preserving the rich cultural heritage of indigenous communities worldwide.