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Co-hosted by Drynet, Both ENDS, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥), the event celebrated the project’s ambition to enhance the capacities, recognition, and influence of CSOs in shaping policies, programs, financial support, and investments aligned with LDN principles and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). The room was filled with over 80 participants, fostering a lively and engaging conversation on civil society’s crucial role in combating land degradation.

Moderator Nathalie van Haren, Senior Policy Advisor at Both ENDS, opened the event and underscored the transformative potential of this collaboration. She emphasized that the initiative supports CSOs working with local groups on sustainable land use and restoration to engage more effectively with policymakers on LDN, both at the national and international levels. Jean-Marc Sinnassamy, Senior Environmental Specialist of the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), highlighted civil society's essential leadership in addressing land degradation and achieving global sustainability goals.

Drynet Coordinator Noel Oettle of CSO Indigo presented an overview of the project, emphasizing its focus on capacity development activities, in particular the mentorships that will be developed between CSOs that newly engage in the UNCCD with experienced advocates, multi-stakeholder engagement and actionable solutions to combat desertification, land degradation, and drought.

A dynamic panel discussion followed, featuring insights from:

Charles Balogoun, Chair of the UNCCD CSO Panel, reflected on the challenges facing civil society actors in the fight against land degradation.

Marcos Montoiro, UNCCD Secretariat, stressed the importance of linking CSOs supporting local groups in locally led initiatives on conservation, sustainable land use and restoration with international policy and funding frameworks.

Marioldy Sanchez Santivanez, Chair of Drynet and representative from CSO AIDER, shared examples of successful community-led initiatives from Peru and discussed ways to connect these with national policy trajectories and international discussions.

In his closing remarks, Chetan Kumar, Global Head of Forest and Grasslands at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥, reaffirmed the organization's commitment to supporting civil society and strengthening their capacities as cornerstones of sustainable land management. He also called for collective action to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets.

Prior to the launch of the new initiative, the project team met with the GEF CEO Carlos Manuel Rodríguez to discuss how to strengthen the role of CSOs in UNCCD processes to foster a whole-of-society approach.

For more information, contact Pragyan Raj Pokhrel at [email protected] and Katherine Poe at [email protected].