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In the Rusayo camp near Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 32,500 Internally Displaced Persons live in temporary shelters due to ongoing conflict. Just 18 kilometers from the frontline, they endure the sounds of gunfire and explosions, seeking safety for their families. The camp is overcrowded, stretching resources thin and increasing security risks from armed groups. Food insecurity is a pressing issue, prompting support from the Food and Agriculture Organization (), which assists 25,000 vulnerable households in North Kivu and Ituri. FAO provides cash vouchers and resources for micro-gardening and livestock production. These micro-gardening kits enable families to grow vegetables while integrating animal breeding to enhance soil fertility. With access to quality seeds and animals, residents can improve their diets and generate income through selling their produce and animal products.

As marks its , a sustainable world is one where everyone counts, and each of us, including youth, can take action to create a better future for all.

During the end of year holidays, when fortunate, we spend more time with family and friends, cooking, exchanging gifts or travelling to meet loved ones. All of these actions can be done in a more sustainable way, respectful of ourselves, others, our cities and our planet. Sustainability, in fact, goes beyond the environment; it includes other things that people need, such as food, health, education, safety, jobs, equal opportunities, and a vibrant quality of life. Shaping a better future is the spirit of the holidays and the spirit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This end of 2024 holiday season, let’s pave the way for a better year, leaving no one behind! Here are . 

In Senegal's Bousra Ndawène village, pastoralists from Senegal, Gambia, Mali, and Mauritania travel annually along a 110-km transhumance corridor, seeking fresh pastures for their livestock. Babacar Ndaw, a local farmer and breeder, helps manage resources, balancing the needs of both pastoralists and locals. The Regional Sahel Pastoralism Support Project (PRAPS) has improved infrastructure, animal health services, and water access, reducing conflicts and supporting over 350,000 pastoralists in Senegal. PRAPS aims to assist more than a million pastoralists by 2027, preserving pastoralism while ensuring sustainable resource use.

In Magdalena Milpas Altas, Guatemala, Marla Chanta, a 45-year-old artisan, creates opportunities for her family and community. Initially expected to focus on household duties, she embraced traditional craftsmanship, joining Wakami—a social enterprise empowering rural women through sustainable business and education. Founded by Maria Pacheco 20 years ago, Wakami helps women like Marla generate income through handcrafted goods, aiming to improve their lives and protect the environment. In 2023, the Mountain Partnership of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations () partnered with Wakami connecting women artisans' cultural heritage with contemporary design. In 2024, Italian designer Vivia Ferragamo collaborated with Wakami to create a collection reflecting local traditions and culture.

combines traditional craftsmanship with ethical fashion to promote cultural heritage and protect mountain environments.

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Ahmad Al Nasser credits his success to self-belief and helping others overcome challenges. As a facilitator of a Farmer Field School in rural Hama, Syria, he has lived with a physical disability due to polio since childhood. With over 25 years of experience, he completed his education at the Veterinary Technical Institute and became a certified technician in bovine artificial insemination. Now, he works with 25 cattle keepers, sharing knowledge to improve livestock production. Under Ahmad’s guidance, local farmers achieved significant results, processing their own dairy products and increasing profits by bypassing middlemen. They also started producing organic compost and fodder for their cows.

Mountains cover about 27% of the Earth's land surface, they are home to around half of the world's biodiversity hotspots and provide fresh water for half of humanity. But they are increasingly threatened by climate change and overexploitation. This International Mountain Day (11 December), under the theme "Mountain solutions for a sustainable future – innovation, adaptation and youth", the observance focuses on engaging youth to develop innovative and adaptive strategies to ensure the resilience and sustainability of mountain ecosystems.

Esther Munani Kyalo, a mother of three from Miambani ward in Kitui County, Kenya, has changed her routine over the past few months. Every Tuesday, she joins around 35 other women at the Kavakaky Farmer Field School to breed chicks in a new poultry house. Under a large mango tree, the community gathers to discuss and improve their husbandry practices. In Kenya's arid and semi-arid regions, livestock production, including beekeeping and chicken brooding, is vital for family income. Transitioning to commercial farming can improve incomes and reduce rural poverty, and Farmer Field Schools are key to this change. The Food and Agriculture Organization () supported , reaching nearly 300,000 farmers in eight years.

The video will showcase impactful projects in sustainable agriculture and land management, emphasizing the leadership of women and youth in shaping policies for NENA's sustainable development.

Martha Adjorlolo’s beehives in Donkorkrom, Ghana, are both her livelihood and passion. Despite starting beekeeping only a year ago, she is dedicated to sustainable practices, using local methods like top bar hives and natural repellents such as lemongrass oil. Her recent training by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations () emphasized the need to minimize chemical and antimicrobial use for the health of bees, food safety, and the environment. The workshop highlighted the dangers of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), which occurs when microorganisms become resistant to treatments, resulting in increased illness and mortality in various species.

“Tarakama” is a traditional nomadic pastoral lifestyle practiced by Azerbaijani communities who move with the seasons. Mahammad Bayramov, from Aghdam, has lived this way since childhood, traveling with his family’s livestock. Each year, Mahammad’s family and five others move their herds to the mountains, where collaboration helps them manage the animals more effectively. Raised with livestock, Mahammad and his community relied on them for income, leading to the formation of Eko-Süd (Eco-Milk), a cooperative focused on milk and dairy production. However, they faced significant challenges due to manual, labor-intensive processes that limited their profits. In 2023, a partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization () and the Government of Azerbaijan provided essential tools, including feed grinders and a dairy processing facility. This support allowed Eco-Milk to grow to 23 members, enabling efficient production of cheese and butter sought after in Baku and beyond.

Aishagul Duganova, a 48-year-old mother of three from Koram, Kazakhstan, finds hope in her new greenhouse amid family health issues and financial struggles. After her husband's injury and her elderly parents-in-law's illnesses forced her to abandon work, Aishagul faced overwhelming debt from medical expenses. Her situation changed when her sister-in-law connected her to a greenhouse training program funded by the Global Environmental Facility through the Food and Agriculture Organization pof The United Nations () project . This initiative aims to empower rural women by providing them with skills in sustainable farming, enabling Aishagul to cultivate food independently.

Augustina Akosua Asor Tufuor’s entrepreneurial journey started at the University of Ghana Business School. She founded Tropical Snacks to create all-natural plantain chips from surplus local produce, aiming to bridge the gap between small farmers and consumers. However, she faced challenges in accessing finance and market information. To address this, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations () and the International Trade Centre launched a program called Empowering Women and Boosting Livelihoods through Agricultural Trade () in 2021. This program aims to increase women’s competitiveness in trade through strengthened knowledge, skills, and access to finance.