The Coalition of Pastoralist Civil Society Organizations (COPACSO), in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), is currently conducting data collection in the districts of Kotido, Moroto, Nakapiripirit, Amudat, and Kaabong. This marks a key implementation phase of the project “Boosting Evidence on Biodiversity and Gender for Sustainable Livestock Transformation,” using the Tool for Agroecology Performance Evaluation (TAPE) to capture detailed, context-specific data.
TAPE provides a standardized methodology for assessing agroecological performance at the community level. Its integration into the current data collection ensures that environmental sustainability, social inclusion, and gender equality are reflected in the research findings.
Communities Engaged, Voices Captured
Field teams trained in March 2025 are now applying TAPE alongside the KoboCollect digital platform and focus group discussion tools. Enumerators are collecting both quantitative household survey data and qualitative insights through structured dialogues with community members.
Across the five districts, community members including women, youth and elders are participating actively. Early reports indicate strong local engagement and a willingness to share lived experiences and traditional knowledge related to biodiversity, livestock and land use.
Context-Responsive Field Work
Pastoralist communities often face unique mobility and accessibility challenges. To address this, COPACSO field teams are coordinating closely with local leaders and elders to schedule data collection in line with seasonal calendars and migration patterns. The KoboCollect digital system supports real-time synchronization of data, facilitating continuous monitoring and quality assurance.
Next Steps
The data collection phase is expected to continue through June 2025, reaching a broad and representative sample across the five target districts. Data generated will inform evidence-based recommendations for biodiversity-friendly, gender-responsive and sustainable livestock policies in Uganda.
COPACSO and FAO remain committed to ensuring that the voices of pastoralist communities particularly women and youth are central to shaping future development and conservation efforts.
