.

1. BETTER
LAND USE,
BETTER
FUTURE
FOR ALL
Partnering with civil society
to enhance sustainable
land management in
Sub-Saharan Africa

3. BACKGROUND
INFORMATION
Land degradation is a serious problem in Sub-Saharan Africa, where up to
two-thirds of the productive land area is reported to be degraded to some extent.
The economic costs of poor land management have been estimated at US$9
billion per annum, while more than 3 percent of agricultural GDP is squandered
each year as a direct result of soil and nutrient loss. Local communities suffer
the most from the degradation of their land – and the subsequent reduction
in food and energy production – and they are therefore fundamental to the
widespread adoption of sustainable land management (SLM) techniques.
Civil society organisations (CSOs) work closely with communities and
can provide an effective way of facilitating inter-community learning,
participation in international policy processes and dissemination of
effective SLM technologies in the context of community engagement
in the Ten Year Strategy of the United Nations Convention to Combat
Desertification (UNCCD). Indeed, the UNCCD recognises the critical role
of community participation in SLM and in combating desertification –
and boasts over 430 accredited CSOs based in sub-Saharan Africa.
The Ten Year Strategy has called for greater involvement of CSOs but many of
them lack the capacity to develop programmes and mobilise resources, have
weak governance and management structures, and tend to be viewed with
suspicion by many governments, thereby undermining their effectiveness.
Although the UNCCD formulation process made huge efforts to gather
inputs from communities, there has not been any significant engagement
with communities during implementation – and without real community
participation, the UNCCD’s Ten Year Strategy is unlikely to succeed.
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4. RATIONALE OF
THE PROJECT
The project – Partnering with civil society to enhance sustainable land
management in Sub-Saharan Africa – was formulated in response to existing
threats to sustainable land management practices, which are complex
and require the active engagement of local communities and civil society
organisations in crafting practical policy responses at national, regional and
international level.
Previous attempts to halt land degradation have been hampered by traditional
top-down planning processes in which land users were not actively involved
in identifying the problems and finding solutions; sectoral based approaches
to what is a multi-dimensional problem; a narrow focus on tackling the most
direct causes, while overlooking the root causes; and conventional high input
approaches to increase agricultural production. These approaches all failed to
tackle land degradation from a social, economic and ecological perspective –
and highlighted the need for more interactive and inclusive approaches to SLM
and development.
In light of this, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP),
the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Open Society Institute
of Southern Africa (OSISA) came together – along with other partners
such as ENDA, the Equator Initiative and the Southern Africa Resource
Watch (SARW) – to develop a comprehensive approach that would build
the capacity of civil society organisations so that they can support local
communities to participate more effectively in the broader SLM processes,
such as the TerrAfrica programme – and so help to reverse decades of
soil degradation and end unsustainable land management techniques.
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5. Goal and objectives
The goal of the project is to enhance the socio-economic development and
livelihoods of rural communities in Sub-Saharan Africa through better and
more sustainable land management. The project will run from 2013-2016
and its key objective is to build the capacity of CSOs so that they can help to
empower grassroots communities in the region to participate and influence the
implementation of the Ten Year Strategy of the UNCCD, TerrAfrica and other
SLM processes, programmes and policies.
Key components
Component 1:
The project aims to strengthen the policy, practice and knowledge cycle in line
with the Ten Year Strategy and therefore help to build the capacity of CSOs
to work with local communities – and to facilitate community participation in
national, regional and international SLM policy processes and programmes – so
as to tackle land degradation, adapt to climate change, adopt more sustainable
land use techniques and make better land investment decisions. Lessons will
be drawn from previously successful initiatives, such as the UNDP-executed
Small Grants Programme and the USAID-funded regional NGO capacity building
programme for Southern Africa, which was implemented by the IUCN.
Component 2:
Many grassroots organisations have adopted a pro-active stance and constantly
seek to dialogue with relevant ministries and national bodies in a bid to be
part of both the policy development and implementation processes. However,
they are usually unsuccessful because they lack the clout to command the
attention of policy makers. Under this component, the project will work to assist
communities to gain recognition through a series of high profile events.
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6. OUTCOMES
Increased technical capacity of CSOs for SLM facilitation and knowledge-based
policy advocacy: The project aims to remove the barriers related to
knowledge generation, management and transfer to enable CSOs to contribute
to the science and technology objectives of the Ten Year Strategy. Therefore,
the project will assist CSOs to continuously track critical issues such as
emerging international finance mechanisms related to SLM, the impact of
the commercialisation of land for biofuel production, agri-business, mining,
forestry etc. In particular, the project will assist with an assessment of the
impacts of the commercialisation of land on land degradation and livelihoods
in at least four countries.
The project will also assist CSOs to identify knowledge gaps and to collate
existing knowledge, package it and disseminate it widely. In addition, it will assist
CSOs to develop evidence-based position papers to be disseminated widely, in
particular at side events at regional and international conferences.
Improved coordination of African CSOs will enhance partnerships and
ensure more effective collaboration and knowledge transfer: The project
will facilitate CSOs to design a coordination mechanism, which will address
the challenges that weakened the Réseau International des Organisations
Non-Gouvernemental Sur Désertification (RIOD). A new coordination
mechanism will provide local communities with a partner that effectively
links them to TerrAfrica’s Country SLM Investment Framework (CSIF)
processes, NEPAD’s Comprehensive African Agricultural Development
Programme (CAADP) and EAP programmes, the Ten Year Strategy
of the UNCCD, and decision making processes relating to other land
investment frameworks.
To overcome the problems experienced by previous processes, the project
will facilitate a coordinating mechanism with a legal entity, with office
bearers who develop and implement a CSO coordination and capacity
building programme in line with the requirements for implementing the
TerrAfrica and UNCCD programmes of work. This will also reinforce CSO
participation in the Strategic Investment Programme (SIP) portfolio and
respond to the call of theTen Year Strategy to provide CSO networks and
strengthen CSO collaboration and participation in the strategic plan.
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7. Community innovation in SLM is recognised, rewarded and upscaled: The project
will hold annual competitions to recognise and reward outstanding community
efforts to reduce poverty through sustainable land management. Annual themes
will be selected from one of the six Thematic Programme Networks of the Regional
Action Programme for implementing the UNCCD in Africa, namely:
• Integrated management of international river, lake, and hydrogeological basins;
• Agroforestry and soil conservation;
• Rangelands use and fodder crops;
• Ecological monitoring, natural resources mapping, remote sensing, and early
warning systems;
• New and renewable energy sources and technologies; and
• Sustainable agricultural farming systems.
ACHIEVEMENTS SO FAR
The entire project management structure has been put in place, including the
recruitment of the project coordinator, who began work on August 1st, 2013.
The inception workshop to launch the project was successfully held in Dakar,
Senegal from 7-10 July, 2013. The workshop outlined the key components of
the project and its staff to the main stakeholders, and reviewed the project’s
workplans, budgets and risks. The workshop also provided an opportunity for
the project steering committee to review its terms of reference, plan for COP11 in
Namibia and approve the workplans and budgets for 2013.
ENDA organised an event to mark the World Day for Combatting Desertification
on June 17, 2013 in Dakar. ENDA used the opportunity to introduce the project
to stakeholders and the media. The event was attended by representatives of
the Ministry of Environment, the Economic, Social and Environment Council, the
Department of Water and Forests, foreign embassies, students and journalists.
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8. There has also been substantial progress around the assessment of current
practices and impacts of extractive industries on land degradation and local
livelihoods in selected countries in Southern Africa. Research reports have
been drafted in relation to five SADC countries – Botswana, the Democratic
Republic of Congo, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe – looking at the existing
institutional and legal frameworks that regulate extractive industries’ access to
land in general and biodiversity-rich areas in particular. The five reports were
reviewed at a workshop in Botswana and will be published at the end of October
– along with detailed maps of major rivers basins in SADC highlighting the
impact of mining on land, biodiversity and the livelihoods of communities.
GOVERNANCE AND
MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE
The project has a robust structure in place to ensure that it is implemented and
its objectives attained. The structure includes a Project Steering Committee,
the UNDP-Namibia Office, a Project Coordination Unit, Project Coordinator
and Project officer.
The Project Steering Committee is responsible for providing overall guidance
and direction to the project as well as for reporting progress and results to all the
partner organisations. It will be responsible for making management decisions
when requested by the project coordinator.
The UNDP Namibia Country Office is responsible for the project’s quality
assurance on behalf of the Project Steering Committee whereas the
Project Coordination Unit is responsible for the day-to-day running of the project
and consists of a Project Coordinator, a Project Officer and a Project Assistant.
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9. Implementing partners
The Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA) is the
overall implementing partner for the project and is responsible
for the entire programme management and coordination.
OSISA works with the Southern Africa Resources Watch
(SARW), which brings experience in providing researchers,
policy makers and social justice activists with a platform to
monitor and strengthen corporate and state accountability
in land use, natural resource exploitation and sustainable
development. OSISA is directly responsible for Outcome 1 as
well as overall coordination.
Environmental Development Action in the Third World
(ENDA) is one of the biggest networks that works directly
with CSOs involved in land use, livelihoods and sustainable
development in West Africa. It has previously been involved
in similar initiatives under the Cotonou Agreement. ENDA is
responsible for Outcome 2, which aims to result in improved
coordination among African CSOs and thus enhance
partnerships and ensure more effective coordination and
knowledge transfer.
The Equator Initiative is a partnership that brings together
the UN, governments, civil society, businesses and grassroots
organisations to recognise and advance local sustainable
development solutions for people, nature and resilient
communities. The Equator Initiative has experience in
recognising and rewarding the success of local communities
and indigenous peoples’ initiatives, creating opportunities and
platforms to share knowledge and good practice, informing
policy to foster an enabling environment for sustainable
development and developing capacity in order to scale up the
impact of local communities and indigenous peoples. UNOPS/
Equator Initiative is responsible for Outcome 3, which aims to
recognise, reward and upscale successful community innovation
in SLM through organising annual competitions.
OSISA
www.osisa.org
ENDA
www.endatiersmonde.org
UNOPS/Equator Initiative
www.equatorinitiative.org
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10. Other partners and key stakeholders
UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build
nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the
kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone.
UNDP is a key stakeholder in the project through the Namibia
Country office. It has allocated resources worth US$1.5 million
to the project.
The GEF unites 182 countries in partnership with international
institutions, CSOs and the private sector to address global
environmental issues, while supporting national sustainable
development initiatives. GEF is a primary stakeholder in this
project and has funded it to the tune of US$1.74 million.
The UNCCD is the anchor for the desertification convention and
initiatives and will provide profound information and knowledge
for the project and space for civil society voices to be heard and
possibly influence policy at regional and international levels.
The UNCCD Ten Year Strategy (2008-2018) strives to forge
a global partnership to reverse and prevent desertification
and land degradation, and to mitigate the effects of drought
in affected areas in order to support poverty reduction and
environmental sustainability. It also calls for the strengthening
of the role CSOs through better networking and balancing
attendance at the Convention’s events.
The New Partnership for African Development has been advancing
SLM through the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development
Programme (CAADP) and TerrAfrica, which is a partnership
for scaling up sustainable land and water management in SSA.
Although the NEPAD initiatives work with governments, they
provide lessons learned, documented knowledge and partnerships
that are useful and pertinent to the project.
UNDP
www.undp.org.na
GEF
www.thegef.org.
UNCCD Secretariat
NEPAD
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11. UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations
that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth
that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in 177
countries and territories, we offer global perspective and local insight
to help empower lives and build resilient nations.
www.undp.org
The GEF unites 182 countries in partnership with international
institutions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the private
sector to address global environmental issues while supporting
national sustainable development initiatives. Today the GEF is the
largest public funder of projects to improve the global environment.
An independently operating financial organization, the GEF
provides grants for projects related to biodiversity, climate change,
international waters, land degradation, the ozone layer, and persistent
organic pollutants. Since 1991, GEF has achieved a strong track record
with developing countries and countries with economies in transition,
providing $9.2 billion in grants and leveraging $40 billion in co-financing
for over 2,700 projects in over 168 countries.
www.thegef.org
The Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA) is a growing
African institution committed to deepening democracy, protecting
human rights and enhancing good governance in southern Africa.
OSISA’s vision is to promote and sustain the ideals, values, institutions
and practice of open society, with the aim of establishing a vibrant
southern African society, in which in which people, free from material
and other deprivation, understand their rights and responsibilities and
participate democratically in all spheres of life.
www.osisa.org