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The gathering marks the culmination of 34 locally organised "Underground Workshops" held across 16 countries, creating a unique grassroots network dedicated to peatland protection, restoration, and community stewardship.
Hosted in the papyrus-rich wetlands of Lake Victoria, the workshop will focus on the Dunga and Yala Swamps, two critical peatland ecosystems that store carbon, support biodiversity, regulate water systems, and sustain local livelihoods. Despite their importance, both wetlands face growing threats from drainage, overexploitation, and land conversion.
Alongside workshops, field visits, and knowledge exchanges, participants will explore new forms of collaboration across conservation, science, art, and Indigenous knowledge systems.
WETSOUND Radio Broadcasts from the Wetlands
A highlight of this year's gathering is WETSOUND Radio, a temporary radio station broadcasting live from Dunga Swamp. Produced by Sensing Peat (Succow Foundation), the Venice Agreement on Peatlands, Ecofinder Kenya, Radio Nam Lolwe 97.3 FM, The Institute of Multi-Species Singing and Uhenga, the station will share stories, music, sounds, and conservation experiences from wetland communities in Kenya and around the world.
Listeners can tune in live to WETSOUND Radio, broadcasting directly from Dunga Swamp in Kisumu, via the Venice Agreement website or the live audio stream: WETSOUND Radio | The Venice Agreement
Support the Gathering
It is still possible to support the workshop through the ongoing fundraising campaign. Donations help cover local hosting, accommodation, translation, documentation, and grassroots participation, ensuring that peatland custodians and community representatives can take part in this international exchange.
Every contribution helps strengthen a growing global movement for peatland protection and community-led stewardship.
Succow Stiftung | Support Venice Agreement Kisumu
This international workshop ist co-organised by Ecofinder Kenya and international partners including the Hach Saye, RE-PEAT, WCS Chile, Double-U-Replay, the Michael Succow Foundation, partner in the Greifswald Mire Centre, the Global Peatlands Initiative, FAO and GIZ via Peat4People. For more information, the full press release can be found here: [PDF]
What is the Venice Agreement on Peatlands?
The Venice Agreement on Peatlands was launched in 2022 during the Venice Biennale. It aims to protect and restore peatlands worldwide through locally rooted, community-led action.
The initiative supports practical efforts for ecological restoration, sustainable use, and the cultural recognition of peatlands. As a bottom-up movement, it recognizes local projects and communities as essential drivers of global peatland conservation.
Learn more:
Photo credits: Venice Agreement
