WOCAT Network


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The global WOCAT Network is formalized and defined by the Framework Agreement as WOCAT International (with eight Consortium Partners), and WOCAT regional, and national including its institutional and individual members. Biennial global WOCAT Network Meetings provide a basis for exchange on progress with different initiatives and for directing future activities.

Organizational structure of the WOCAT Network

WOCAT International

WOCAT International consists of the Steering Committee (ad hoc Independent Expert Group, Consortium Partners, and the Director) and the Secretariat.

At the global level, WOCAT is coordinated by the Steering Committee of WOCAT International which have a shared responsibility for the functioning of the WOCAT Network, assisted by the global WOCAT Secretariat. Task forces are set up to further develop initiatives and tools, and to support national and regional institutions.

How to get involved
WOCAT Strategy

The WOCAT “International Strategy” for 2015–2018 draws on the wealth of experience gathered in the WOCAT programme since its launch in 1992. This includes important areas such as funding.

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WOCAT Network Members

Find more WOCAT Members in your country or region, or search for someone with the expertise you require.


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Consortium Partners (CPs)

The eight Consortium Partners are:

  • Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
  • Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
  • International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA)
  • International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)
  • International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), CGIAR
  • World Soil Information, ISRIC
  • Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)
  • University of Bern, Centre for Development and Environment (CDE)
The Consortium Partners meet twice yearly.

» Learn more about the Consortium Partners
Consortium Partners
WOCAT Secretariat

This body supports the Director in the management and coordination of the WOCAT Network. The Secretariat is composed of the Director, the Coordinator, and additional staff as required.

» Meet the WOCAT Secretariat team

What is a WOCAT regional/ national initiative and what are institutional members?

WOCAT regional/ national initiatives and institutional members are an integral part of the WOCAT Network. Partnerships are formalized by signing a printed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) or an online terms of agreement (ToA). These members operate in an autonomous, decentralized, and self-funded manner. Initiatives and institutional members are technically supported by WOCAT International to implement the Network’s vision and mission in their country and/ or region.

WOCAT institutional members

Participating institutions may be a single institution in one area of a country, a group of institutions in a country, a collaborative grouping of countries and/ or institutions in a region or, again, a single institution with a regional mandate. All are considered participating institutions.

Any institution that supports the vision and mission of the WOCAT Network can become a WOCAT Network member by contacting the WOCAT Secretariat for registration (wocat@cde.unibe.ch). If so desired, institutional members can voluntarily sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU). The MoU has been prepared to formalize and facilitate collaboration (and identify roles and responsibilities) between the WOCAT International Secretariat and the WOCAT Regional/ National Institutional Network members.  

Please download and complete the MoU for institutional members, and send it to wocat@cde.unibe.ch. 

» Look at all WOCAT institutional members

WOCAT regional and national Initatives

A specific WOCAT regional and national initiative is established if one or more Institutional members and/or Consortium Partners collaborate in a country or region to jointly apply the WOCAT tools and methods. These Initiatives operate in a self-organized, autonomous, decentralized, and self-funded manner, and are steered by a leader and a committee. New WOCAT Initiatives can register by contacting the WOCAT Secretariat (wocat@cde.unibe.ch).

If wished, WOCAT Initiatives can sign voluntarily a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in order to formalise and facilitate collaboration (and identify roles and responsibilities) between the WOCAT International Secretariat and the Initiative.Participation in WOCAT at the country or regional level is referred to as a national / regional initiative; in some cases, participants might give themselves individualized names (such as ETHIOCAT in Ethiopia or BANCAT in Bangladesh).

These operate in an autonomous, decentralized and self-funded way. Training workshops, for example, are organized and funded by the requesting institution; only resource person(s) can be paid by the global management.

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) can be developed between the global and national and regional levels in order to help clarify their respective roles.


List of regional and national Initatives

  1. South-eastern Asia - Philippines - PHILCAT
  2. South-eastern Asia - Thailand -THAICAT
  3. Central Asia (regional initiative) - HIMCAT (Himalayan Conservation Approaches and Technologies)  
  4.  Western Africa - Niger - NigCAT/GREAD
  5. Eastern Africa - Ethiopia - EthioCAT 
  6. Southern Africa - South Africa - WOCAT in South Africa
  7. Central Asia - Nepal - NEPCAT
  8. Central Asia - Bangladesh - BANCAT
  9. Central Asia - Bhutan - BHUCAT
  10. South-eastern Asia - Laos PDR - LAOCAT
MoU for initiatives and institutional members

Download the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for initiatives or instituional members.

» Read more