The World Initiative for Sustainable Pastoralism (WISP) is a global initiative that supports the empowerment of pastoralists to sustainably manage drylands resources. WISP enables pastoralists to demonstrate that their land use and production system is an effective and efficient way of harnessing the natural resources of the world’s drylands.

Pastoralist communities are often socially and politically marginalised. Their livelihoods are undermined by inappropriate policies and laws and by pressures on their resources from more politically powerful neighbours and other competitors. WISP therefore works to empower pastoralists and pastoral institutions by enabling them to gather knowledge and influence policies that impinge on their livelihoods and their ability to sustainably manage their land and resources.

WISP provides the social, economic and environmental arguments for pastoralism to improve perceptions of pastoralism as a viable and sustainable resource management system. WISP also advocates for an enabling environment for sustainable rangeland management, improved pastoral livelihoods and pastoral empowerment.

Pastoralists are the best custodians of drylands environments, but their stewardship is undermined by inappropriate policies and strong competition over their natural resources