The Livelihood Summer School, funded by the Volkswagen Foundation and held from 22 – 26 September 2025 at the University of Parakou in Benin, was conceived in response to the profound transformations occurring in agro-pastoral systems across Africa. It was organized by the Research Unit on Agro-Pastoral, Humanitarian and Food Systems (UR-SAPHA) lead by Dr Georges Djohy. Rapid demographic growth, accelerating climate change, resource scarcity, and shifting governance structures are reshaping traditional livelihoods and challenging the resilience of rural communities. Pastoral societies in particular face tightening restrictions on herd mobility, complex land-tenure regimes, and rising insecurity. Yet these same communities—especially youth and women—are demonstrating remarkable adaptive capacity, drawing on indigenous knowledge and innovative practices to diversify livelihoods and sustain ecosystems. Recognizing both the urgency of these changes and the wealth of local solutions, the summer school provided a timely platform to deepen understanding of coupled social-ecological systems and to strengthen research that informs practical, inclusive responses. The overarching goal of the program was to build capacity among early-career scientists— PhD candidates and post-doctoral researchers—working on pressing livelihood issues in Africa. Participants were guided to sharpen their conceptual and theoretical foundations, acquire advanced methodological and analytical skills, and enhance their ability to communicate findings for policy and societal impact. Equally important, the event sought to foster vibrant knowledge exchange between junior and senior scholars and to catalyze a continent-wide network for ongoing collaboration and mentorship in agro-pastoral research.
The summer school was framed under the central theme of "Navigating Change in AgroPastoral Systems" and explored key sub-themes such as resilience and adaptation, governance and land-use dynamics, indigenous knowledge and innovation, and transdisciplinary approaches to social-ecological systems research. Through lectures, field visits, and interactive workshops, participants explored these topics to develop insights and partnerships that support sustainable and equitable futures for Africa’s agro-pastoral communities.
Follow the link bellow to relive the Livelihood Summer School 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kevmv3OUCAI&t=321s
Livelihood Summer School 2025
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