The Grassroots Institute

PASTORALISTS AT CROSSROADS
IYRP-WBRG Webinar | https://tgi-wb.eu/rgweb/
was concluded on 21 May 2026
Read the news here: https://tgi-wb.eu/pastoralists-at-a-crossroads-western.../

RUSH TO REGISTER AND JOIN at: https://tgi-wb.eu/rgweb/
WEBINAR on PASTORALISTS & PASTORALISM AT CROSSROADS
Date: 21 May 2026 | Time: 14.00 Hours to 17.00 Hours (Central European Summer Time)
Zoom Link ID: 863 2679 5479 | Passcode: CEn4Gi
Visit the weblink ​https://tgi-wb.eu/rgweb/
Certificate: All the participants will receive a FREE CERTIFICATE of Attendance

The year 2026 has been declared the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026 https://www.fao.org/rangelands-pastoralists-2026/en, recognizing the global importance of pastoral systems for food security, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience. In the Western Balkans, pastoralism is deeply rooted in transhumance traditions and mountain ecosystems, yet it faces increasing socio-economic and environmental pressures. The IYRP–WBRG Launch Webinar is a platform for starting regional conversations and mobilizing stakeholders ahead of the Western Balkans Regional Gathering of Pastoralists (WBRG).
Further information can be accessed at: https://tgi-wb.eu/rgweb/ | https://minoritymap.org/
​*Recipients of this announcement/news are requested to forward/disseminate it to friends, colleagues, students, etc. through emailing, social media channels, websites, and e-newsletters or e-bulletins.

TAKIMI ZONAL I ELBASANIT-1 NË LIBRAZHD
https://minoritymap.org/rg/librazhd

Takimi Rajonal është planifikuar të mbahet më 30 maj 2026. Është pjesë e iniciativës më të gjerë të Takimit Rajonal të Barinjve të Ballkanit Perëndimor (WBRG) www.minoritymap.org/rg që organizohet për të përputhur Vitin Ndërkombëtar të Kullotave dhe Barinjve (IYRP) https://www.fao.org/rangelands-pastoralists-2026 dhe www.iyrp.info. Këto takime janë hartuar si platforma të lokalizuara që bashkojnë barinj, komunitete etnike, udhëheqës barinjsh, aktorë të shoqërisë civile, shërbime veterinare, bashki, kolegje profesionale, akademikë dhe palë të tjera të interesuara për të shkëmbyer njohuri, për të ndarë përvoja të jetuara dhe për të forcuar avokimin e drejtuar nga komuniteti mbi të drejtat e barinjve. Takimi Zonal i Elbasanit-1 do të përqendrohet në sfidat dhe mundësitë specifike të rajonit, veçanërisht ato që ndikojnë në aksesin në kullota, lëvizshmërinë e bagëtive, jetesën e barinjve, qëndrueshmërinë ekologjike dhe përfshirjen sociale brenda rajonit qendror të Shqipërisë.

I vendosur në bashkinë malore dhe me kulturë të pasur të Librazhdit — e njohur për afërsinë e saj me peizazhet natyrore dhe komunitetet e larmishme rurale — takimi do të nxisë dialogun mbi zhvillimin me pjesëmarrja dhe ndërtimin e qëndrueshmërisë. Përmes diskutimeve ndervepruese, rrëfimit të historive dhe planifikimit bashkëpunues, pjesëmarrësit do të kontribuojnë në formësimin e strategjive kolektive në përputhje me qëllimet më të gjera të procesit të Takimit Rajonal. Pjesëmarrësit do të nënshkruajnë dhe miratojnë Deklaratën e Pastoralistëve të Ballkanit Perëndimor për të nxjerrë në pah zërat e tyre për të drejtat dhe shqetësimet e tyre. Eventi synon gjithashtu të përforcojë zërat e barinjve dhe të ushqejë njohuritë lokale në biseda më të gjera rajonale dhe globale mbi pastoralizmin, të drejtat e pakicave dhe zhvillimin e qëndrueshëm. TË GJITHË JANË TË FTUAR TË MARRIN PJESË. Për më shumë informacion, ju lutemi kontaktoni Dr. Kristaq Skenderi, Tel: +355 2061739, Email: [email protected] Lexoni më shumë këtu: https://minoritymap.org/rg/librazhd
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THE ELBASAN ZONAL GATHERING-1 AT LIBRAZHD https://minoritymap.org/rg/librazhd

Regional Gathering is scheduled to be held on 30 May 2026. It is part of the broader initiative of the Western Balkans Regional Gathering of Pastoralists (WBRG) www.minoritymap.org/rg being organized to align the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) https://www.fao.org/rangelands-pastoralists-2026 and www.iyrp.info. These gatherings are designed as localized platforms that bring together shepherds, ethnic communities, shepherd leaders, civil society actors, veterinary services, municipalities, vocational colleges, academics, and other stakeholders to exchange knowledge, share lived experiences, and strengthen community-driven advocacy on the rights of pastoralists. The Elbasan Zonal Gathering-1 will focus on region-specific challenges and opportunities, particularly those affecting access to grazing lands, livestock mobility, herders’ livelihoods, ecological sustainability, and social inclusion within Albania’s central region.

Set in the mountainous and culturally rich municipality of Librazhd — known for its proximity to natural landscapes and diverse rural communities — the gathering will foster dialogue on participatory development and resilience-building. Through interactive discussions, storytelling, and collaborative planning, participants will contribute to shaping collective strategies aligned with the broader goals of the Regional Gathering process. The participants will sign and pass the Western Balkans Declaration of Pastoralists to highlight their voices for their rights and concerns. The event also aims to amplify shepherd people’s voices and feed local insights into wider regional and global conversations on pastoralism, minority rights, and sustainable development. ALL ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE. For further information, please contact Dr. Kristaq Skenderi, Tel: +355 2061739, Email: [email protected]. Read more here: https://minoritymap.org/rg/librazhd

YOU ARE INVITED TO JOIN | https://tgi-wb.eu/rgweb/
IYRP–WBRG Launch Webinar: Pastoralists and Pastoralism at Crossroads

Date: 21 May 2026 | Time: 14.00 Hours - 17.00 Hours (Central European Summer Time)
Zoom Link: Visit the weblink ​https://tgi-wb.eu/rgweb
Certificate: All the participants will receive a FREE CERTIFICATE of Attendance

The year 2026 has been declared the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026 https://www.fao.org/rangelands-pastoralists-2026/en, recognizing the global importance of pastoral systems for food security, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience. In the Western Balkans, pastoralism is deeply rooted in transhumance traditions and mountain ecosystems, yet it faces increasing socio-economic and environmental pressures. The IYRP–WBRG Launch Webinar is a platform to start regional conversations and mobilize stakeholders ahead of the Western Balkans Regional Gathering of Pastoralists (WBRG).

Further information can be accessed at: https://tgi-wb.eu/rgweb/ | https://minoritymap.org/

​*Recipients of this announcement/news are requested to forward/disseminate it to friends, colleagues, students, etc. through emailing, social media channels, websites, and e-newsletters or e-bulletins.

IYRP–WBRG WEBINAR:
PASTORALISTS AND PASTORALISM AT CROSSROADS
Rush to join it and receive a Certificate free
Read here: https://tgi-wb.eu/rgweb/

READ QUALITY ARTICLES IN GJNR Vol.9 #1 April 2026
Your Feedback is Expected.
https://grassrootsjournals.org/gjnr/gjnr0901fullissue.pdf

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WESTERN BALKANS REGIONAL GATHERING OF PASTORALISTS
TAKIMI RAJONAL I BARINJVE TE BALLKANIT PERENDIMOR
REGIONALNO OKUPLJANJE PASTIRA ZAPADNOG BALKANA
19 April - 31 May 2026 | Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Bosnia i Herzegovina, Serbia

To observe the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) 2026, The Grassroots Institute www.grassrootsinstitute.net is facilitating the Western Balkans Regional Gathering of Pastoralists (WBRG) in all 6 countries of the Western Balkans region. It is a civil society initiative, and it mandates organizing the shepherd people to gather at the Zonal Level in their respective countries. Shepherds, stakeholders, and supporters are expected to discuss the problems and issues related to grazing rights & mobility of livestock, access to resources, ecosystem conservation, biocultural heritage and animal production & marketing. National and international NGOs, cooperatives, action groups, academic institutions, shepherd groups, municipalities, regional/local authorities, and individuals are INVITED to join as Partners, Collaborators, Supporters, Zonal Team Members, and Volunteers. For more information, please read at: https://minoritymap.org/rg/ Email: [email protected] Phones/WhatsApp: +355 692067991; +355 689002599; + 381 637631018; +389 72779118; +91 9868993710

VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES
Contribute to organizing shepherds for their rights to grazing lands and livestock mobility across landscapes. Click the link:
https://minoritymap.org/rg/youth-volunteering-programme/