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.

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

As we step into a new year, we are filled with excitement and purpose, setting our sights on impactful projects that align with our mission of empowering communities to secure land rights and foster sustainable governance. Among the new initiatives launching this year is the Participatory Development of Natural Resource Governance (PODONG) project, developed in partnership with IUCN and funded by the Canadian Government. PODONG will be implemented in the Longido, Simanjiro, Yaeda-Eyasi, and Monduli landscapes, focusing on addressing key challenges such as resource conflicts, environmental degradation, and inequities in resource distribution


Guided by the outcomes of our 2024 end-of-year General Assembly, we remain deeply committed to listening to and learning from the communities we serve. These annual gatherings provide a vital platform for community members and leaders to share their insights, helping us refine our approach to tackling challenges and seizing opportunities together. This partnership-driven model lies at the heart of UCRT’s  focus for 2025: to support communities in protecting their rights and shaping sustainable futures on their own terms.


We also began the year with renewed energy after a staff retreat to the breathtaking Tanzanian coast at the end of 2024. Hosted by our partner organization, the Dorobo Fund, in Pangani, this retreat strengthened our team’s bond and reminded us of the diverse beauty we work to preserve. A day trip to Zanzibar—for many, it was a first-time visit, and the trip served as a reminder of the unique and diverse cultures we celebrate here in Tanzania.

We need your support!
Vote for UCRT at the Smiley Charity Film Awards
Kicking off the year, we are excited to share that the Ashden Awards have submitted a powerful film showcasing UCRT’s work to the Smiley Charity Film Awards. These awards celebrate cause-driven films that highlight impactful stories and elevate the voices of grassroots changemakers. This submission offers a remarkable opportunity to shine a global spotlight on the vital work of securing land rights and protecting traditional livelihoods in Tanzania, while amplifying our partners’ voices and sharing their inspiring stories with the world.

But we need your help to make it happen! Your vote can make a difference in elevating our work to new heights. Please take a moment to support us and share this opportunity with others who believe in empowering communities.

As we look towards a great year ahead, we are inspired by the collective strength of the communities we serve, the dedication of our team, and the unwavering support from partners like you. Thank you for being part of this journey with us. Let’s make 2025 a year of transformative impact and shared success.


With gratitude,

The Ujamaa Community Resource Team