From 28 September to 13 October 2026, Belgian herders Toon and Johan Schouteden will travel across Belgium with a flock of around 300 sheep, from the Belgian-Dutch border to Brussels, as part of the European Herders’ March. They will be joined throughout the Belgian leg by Loupa Pius, a pastoralist from Karamoja, Uganda, bringing an East African perspective to the March and highlighting the shared challenges and experiences of pastoralists across different regions of the world.
Along the route, members of the public are invited to meet the herders, walk alongside the flock and learn more about the role of pastoralism in managing rangelands and open landscapes, supporting biodiversity and contributing to resilient food systems. The Belgian leg will conclude on 13 October in Brussels, where the herders will bring their message to European policymakers.
Organised in the context of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026, the March connects pastoralists across borders and draws attention to the importance of recognising their knowledge, rights and role in the sustainable management of rangelands.