Looking Back on 2025

Dearest Community,
As the year draws to a close, we take a moment to look back, reflecting on the work accomplished and the progress made in reaching more communities and securing the land and natural resources so many depend on. As we finalise the last bit of work for the year and reflect on the lessons learned, we cannot help but feel immensely proud of what has been one of UCRT’s busiest years yet.

This year, we concluded two major partnerships. The first was the Darwin Initiative, a five-year, multi-partner collaboration on improving the lives of pastoralist and hunter-gatherer communities. We also brought to a close our 12-year partnership with the Wellspring Foundation, which helped establish our gender program - a powerful movement for pastoral women’s rights, leadership, and equality. As the foundation closes its doors, we remain deeply grateful for all the support given over the course of this partnership. Their flexible support enabled the formation of more than 97 Women’s Rights and Leadership Forums, reaching over 5,000 women, including 748 women elected into various councils. Partnerships of this depth and longevity are invaluable to the sustainability of our work. You can read more about this Wellspring and its impact on our latest blog post.

For 2025, achievements were big. Let's take a look at what your support made possible this year.
Land Rights Secured, Futures Protec
Working closely with village governments, elders, and district authorities, UCRT supported communities to secure their lands and strengthen governance systems:

• 24 Village Land Use Plans (VLUPs) developed and approved, securing 321,803.126 hectares for community-led stewardship.
• 24 Communal CCROs issued, protecting 272,741 hectares of shared grazing land and natural resources.
• 21 village boundary conflicts resolved across Mbulu, Karatu, Simanjiro, Monduli and Longido, reducing tensions and safeguarding community harmony.
• 24 village bylaws were reviewed and approved to strengthen governance and sustainable management of natural resources.
• $590,000 earned from tourism is improving social services and food security for communities in Ngare Sero, Lake Eyasi and beyond.
  
  

These achievements in long-term land security have equipped communities with the legal tools they need to protect and defend their rights. The development and use of community by-laws continues to strengthen local governance over land management, helping to prevent misuse and ensuring that community priorities are upheld across these key areas.
Land Security for Families
Strengthening livelihoods, economic resilience, and women’s leadership—supported by secure access to land—remains critical to ensuring no one is left behind, particularly for women and vulnerable community members. In 2025:

• 590 individuals were supported to obtain individual CCROs.
• In Monduli, 150  and Mbulu 190 women secured 848 acres, marking a powerful shift in women’s access to land and decision-making.
• In Simanjiro, 250 women and men acquired 767 acres, promoting household security and greater resilience.
• Successfully distributed 500 sheep to 100 women in Ololosokwan village who have been affected by land eviction.
• Women’s Rights and Leadership Forums (WRLFs) expanded women’s rights awareness and leadership at the grassroots level, reaching 6,258 women during women’s general assemblies in 9 villages.
• Women-led investments generated over $20,000, improving financial security and economic resilience.
• 15 WRLFs across three clusters are formally registered with approved constitutions. Of these, 9 are newly established forums engaging a total of 216 women.

These gains in 2025 will help women break through historic constraints, expanding their rights and opening new pathways for economic and social empowerment.

Environmental restoration and community-led conservation remained strong throughout the year:

• 465 beehives (125 Simanjiro, 125 Yaeda and 215 Ngorongoro) distributed to 300 community members, supporting sustainable livelihoods while encouraging improved biodiversity.
• 16,895 native trees planted across multiple landscapes to restore degraded areas and strengthen climate resilience where 6,295 supported by FFD and 10,600 by ICI.
• 3 key water catchment areas—Tinaga, Oldonyosambu, and Kisangiro were protected through community-led fencing. Protecting these sacred water sources ensures a reliable supply of water to the Sonjo community and the surrounding ecosystems, while also sustaining the rivers that are critical to Lake Natron.

We’re proud to help boost community efforts that safeguard the rich biodiversity that thrives in these landscapes. These efforts will not only restore and protect vital ecosystems but also create sustainable income opportunities for local communities.

UCRT continued to help build future leaders within our most marginalised communities:

• 131 students sponsored across primary, secondary, and college levels.
• 112 primary school students (55 girls and 57 boys) continued their studies with dignity and support.
• 5 Form One students (including 3 Akie girls) were enrolled—a great achievement for the Akie community.
• 2 college students were supported to pursue higher learning.

For a program that has faced funding challenges over the past few years, we’re grateful to be able to report these achievements. Education remains one of the most powerful pathways for breaking cycles of marginalisation and strengthening community leadership. We hope to continue to improve Akie education access in 2026.

Dismas and Julius celebrate the CCRO handover with the Sandawe

We also end the year with a tremendous milestone that has taken us into new territory. We are proud to share that we have expanded our reach into a new region—Central Tanzania. After more than 20 years of working across Northern Tanzania and helping secure over 2 million hectares for Maasai, Datoga, Hadzabe, Sonjo, and Iraqw communities, we have now supported the Sandawe community to obtain a communal Certificate of Customary Rights of Occupancy. This is a significant step in broadening our impact and advancing our mission to secure the land rights and territories of pastoralist and hunter-gatherer communities across Tanzania. Building on this success, we hope to respond to community requests to secure an additional four villages next year.

As we begin to wind down for the year—after long months of our team working in the field and spending extended periods away from their families—we pause with deep gratitude for all that has been accomplished. Your support, no matter the amount, continues to make a profound difference.


We look forward to continuing our partnerships and seeing where the year ahead will take us.


Wishing you all a safe and festive season!

Your friends at UCRT