Programs
Six pillars working together for one resilient pastoralist future.
Our programs are designed as a single, integrated response — because water without livelihoods, or education without peace, cannot transform a community on its own.
Education Development
Closing learning gaps from early childhood to adulthood — meeting children, youth and women where they are.
Activities
- Bursaries and school feeding for vulnerable learners
- Mentorship and back-to-school campaigns
- Adult literacy linked to livelihoods
- Community Resource Centre for ICT literacy
- Vocational training: tailoring, mechanics, carpentry
Intended Impact
- Higher school enrolment & retention
- Reduced illiteracy
- Stronger transitions to higher education
- Youth equipped with employable skills
Water, Sanitation & Hygiene
Closer water points, cleaner homes, and communities that govern their own resources.
Activities
- Borehole and water-point development
- Water User Committee training
- Latrine construction in schools and villages
- Menstrual hygiene support for girls
- Promotion of equitable water access
Intended Impact
- Reduced distance to water points
- Improved hygiene and health
- Lower conflict over scarce water
- Increased livestock survival in drought
Livelihoods & Economic Empowerment
From the herd to the market — strengthening pastoralist economies and reviving irrigation.
Activities
- Livestock value-chain support
- Youth entrepreneurship training and incubation
- Green jobs and climate-smart enterprises
- Small-scale irrigation and kitchen gardens
- Revival of Kinna, Rapsu, Malka Daka, Gafarsa, Kombola irrigation schemes
Intended Impact
- Reduced poverty levels
- Stronger household incomes
- Employment for youth and women
- Food security and resilience
Environment, Climate & Resilience
Restoring rangelands and preparing communities for a more volatile climate.
Activities
- Tree planting and afforestation
- Protection of grazing reserves
- Soil and water conservation
- Early warning and disaster preparedness
- Solar energy for schools and water systems
Intended Impact
- Reduced vulnerability to drought
- Restored ecosystems and grazing lands
- Improved adaptation capacity
- Sustainable management of natural resources
Peacebuilding & Social Cohesion
Healing the tensions that come with sharing water, pasture and borders.
Activities
- Inter-community dialogue forums
- Local conflict monitoring & reporting
- Sports for peace and civic education
- Countering radicalization and crime prevention
- Training women mediators and peace leaders
Intended Impact
- Reduced resource-based conflicts
- Stronger social cohesion
- More women and youth in peace processes
- Safer communities for development
Women, Youth & PWDs Empowerment
Building the leaders, savers and innovators of tomorrow's pastoralist society.
Activities
- Civic education and community participation
- Financial literacy and savings groups
- Digital literacy and innovation training
- GBV prevention and response awareness
- Sports, arts and cultural empowerment
Intended Impact
- Inclusive community decision-making
- Strengthened household economies
- Reduced gender-based violence
- Pipeline of young pastoralist leaders
Cross-cutting themes
Woven into every program we deliver.
From the field
Women's groups & farms in Isiolo.
Recent photographs from STEP-supported women's collectives and revived irrigation plots — maize, pumpkins and vegetables grown along the rivers.
