On November 13, 2020, Welttierschutzstiftung held the digital kick-off event for its “Animal Welfare in Development Cooperation” programme. Together with German NGOs that finance and implement agricultural projects in development cooperation, the participants discussed how farm animals and their welfare can be taken into account in projects and thus also stabilize the situation of smallholder farmers on the ground.

In the first part of the event, the participants were introduced to the topic of animal welfare in development cooperation. Professor Saskia Arndt from Utrecht University explained her concept of animal welfare using various approaches and many practical examples. Karin Siegmund from WTS then presented the results of the survey on “Animal Welfare in Development Cooperation”, which the WTS carried out last year. Finally Dr. Annette Massmann from GLS Future Foundation for Development and Dr. Paul Ssuna from Makerere University in Uganda shared their practical experiences in a live interview.

In the subsequent workshop, the obstacles to implementing more animal welfare in development cooperation projects were discussed, and initial solutions and ideas for practical implementation in the projects were compiled.

The participating NGOs noted that animal welfare has often not yet been a priority within projects, so raising awareness is important. However, the topic is receiving increasing attention, not least due to its implications for the economy, health and climate change. Some of the participants' questions were very specific, e.g. about clear and practicable criteria. There was also great interest in examples of good practice. However, there is a lack of knowledge about the situation on the ground and what role NGOs can play in relation to developing countries. The NGOs acknowledged WTS’ initiative and expressed a strong interest in an exchange among themselves and in concrete technical support from the foundation.

Welttierschutzstiftung will implement the findings in training courses, an internet platform and cooperation projects, among other things.