
SPARC: Supporting Pastoralism and Agriculture in Recurrent and Protracted Crises
Supporting Pastoralism and Agriculture in Recurrent and Protracted Crises (SPARC) is a six-year research programme (2020 - 2026) which seeks to address gaps in evidence and understanding of the problems and opportunities faced by pastoralists, agro-pastoralists and farmers living in fragile and conflict-affected states in the face of protracted crises.
To achieve this, it aims to influence the investments and policies of donors and governments in framing and responding to issues based on:
- generation of evidence and improved understanding of the problems and opportunities faced by drylands communities;
- building the capacity of donors and governments through convening and knowledge brokering, so as to understand what makes for effective action;
- undertaking particular technical assistance as requested by the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and other governments to apply evidence and build capacity so as to improve pastoral and agropastoral resilience.
SPARC works in 18 countries across east, west and north Africa and the Middle East.
For more information, see the SPARC website, or sign up to follow SPARC on Twitter and LinkedIn.
SPARC Publications
SPARC creates, distils, evaluates and shares evidence and best practice on research and policy that aims to support pastoralists and farmers in dryland areas.

SPARC Features
What are the key debates, and topical and pressing issues, in research and policy that inform programming and funding to support pastoralists and farmers in dryland regions? What are the perspectives and priorities of dryland communities?
SPARC in the News
Young people are creating a new climate narrative for African drylands
Published in Climate Change News: As climate change puts pressure on the already vulnerable drylands of Africa, young people are changing the narrative to fight for resilient futures.

Pastoralism under threat
Published in Geographical (2023), and featuring SPARC researchers: Climate change "makes this traditional, low-impact, sustainable means of human co-existence with animals and landscapes ever more crucial, it also poses its biggest threat."

Staff
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Rebecca Nadin
Director of Global Risks and Resilience programme
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Mauricio Vazquez
Head of Policy and Strategic Partnerships
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Steve Wiggins
Principal Research Fellow
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Simon Levine
Senior Research Fellow