Advancing Research and a Celebration from our Yaeda-Simanjiro Programs

Over the first half of the year, we’ve been hard at work- deepening our engagement across program areas, reaching further into our landscapes, and strengthening our impact every step of the way. Here are some snapshots of our recent achievements:

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A Call for Celebration for our Simanjiro and Yaeda Programs.  
In the heart of Simanjiro District, a powerful moment unfolded for land rights. More than 500 community members came together with district leaders in Langasiti Village- not just to receive land certificates, but to celebrate something deeply meaningful for so many.
After months of dedication across our Simanjiro and Yaeda programs, we delivered the formal handover of both individual and communal land title certificates to communities that have long awaited this day. The path to formal land ownership is often long- from identifying areas of need, to holding village assemblies, to mapping and demarcation, and finally, to the legal issuance of land titles.
Yet no matter how complex the process, our commitment never wavers. We remain focused on the goal: achieving land tenure security that benefits all members of the community.
This time, we were especially proud to reach vulnerable community members- including women, youth, widows, and persons with disabilities- ensuring they now hold powerful legal and social protections over the land they rely on.

What We Achieved On The Ground:
✔️ 250 individual land titles (CCROs) issued across 8 villages
✔️ 70% awarded to women and persons with disabilities - making land ownership more inclusive than ever
✔️ 14 Certificates of Village Land and 7 Communal CCROs handed over
✔️ A total of 272,741 hectares secured - that’s 22 times the size of Arusha City
✔️ Over 11,600 people now have legal protection over their land

This is land supports livelihoods, sustains traditions, and strengthens community resilience. And now, it’s protected- by law, by leadership, and by the voices of the communities themselves.
These achievements were made possible through the valuable support of our donors, local government, and partners. Together, we’ve not only helped create a more secure future for thousands- but also moved one step closer to full land tenure security across northern Tanzania.
To date, approximately 70% of the land across our program areas has been secured. As we look ahead, we’re preparing to expand into new geographic regions, beyond northern Tanzania- guided by the needs of communities and focusing our efforts where support is most urgently needed. Hang tight on where these new areas will be!

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Advancing Research on Indigenous Governance and Land Rights

We were also pleased to host a team from the University of California, Santa Cruz, guiding them through key landscapes to engage directly with key staff members, grazing committees and local leaders. Their visit marked the beginning of a collaborative research study exploring how stronger Indigenous governance and land tenure influence social-ecological outcomes in northwest Tanzania. This work will not only support our strategy to enhance documentation, but also add to the growing body of academic research that demonstrates the broad, long-term benefits of our projects and thematic areas providing robust evidence to support continued recognition and implementation across Tanzania.

 
As we move into the second half of the year, we remain grounded in our mission- supporting communities to secure their rights, protect their landscapes, and shape their futures on their own terms.
Thank you for walking this path with us. Your partnership continues to make this work possible- and meaningful.
In solidarity,

The UCRT Team

Empowerment, Justice, Stewardship