United Nations Earth Summit+5 Success Stories - Programme to support establishment of National Desertification Funds (NDFs) in the context of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (CCD)

EARTH SUMMIT+5
Special Session of the General Assembly to Review and Appraise
the Implementation of Agenda 21
New York, 23-27 June 1997

REGIONAL SUCCESS STORIES

Programme to support establishment of National Desertification Funds (NDFs) in the context of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (CCD)

Location Dryland Countries of Africa.

Responsible organization(s) UNDP Office to Combat Desertification and Drought (UNSO).

Description The financial provisions of CCD (art. 21, para 4) calls upon affected developing countries to set, as appropriate, National Desertification funds, for the purpose of mobilizing and channeling financial resources to support anti-desertification & drought mitigation activities undertaken by local communities. Such a financial mechanism, while being the main funding arrangement for the implementation of the CCD at national level, nonetheless provides an important opportunity to strengthen participatory process, stimulate domestic resource mobilization and, through provision of small grants to local communities, contribute to efforts to eradicate poverty in areas affected by drought and desertification.
UNSO's initial work consisted of concept development, resulting in following publications: National Desertification Funds (NDF); A concept Paper on Possible Scope and Operational Modalities; A Brochure on National Desertification funds; and an NGO Guide Book on NDF. It also provided catalytic support to assist countries set up NDFs. This involves financial, technical/substantive support from UNSO to enable countries to launch NDF design activities, organize national NDF workshops and other steps leading to formal establishment of the funds.

Issues addressed * Poverty eradication and creation of alternative livelihoods to reduce pressure on dry marginal lands;
* Sustainable funding arrangement to address long-term needs and priorities of local populations in dry marginal areas of Africa;
* Local community participation strengthened by enhancing their voice on decision-making processes on priorities and resource allocation;
* Promotion of innovative programmes to build upon local knowledge, and utilize iterative planning processes to adapt interventions to changing needs of priorities.

Objectives * Create greater awareness about, and promote the concept of NDFs in affected developing countries, in order to generate interest and support for their establishment;
* Strengthen/build capacity;
* Provide technical assistance and other forms of support to help launch the process of NDF establishment;
* Assist countries that have embarked upon fund establishment process to mobilize resources to capitalize the funds.

Results achieved * NDF set up in some 20-25 Africa Countries affected by desertification and drought;
* Resources mobilized, particularly from domestic sources to capitalize the funds, in order to support implementation of the CCD.

Lessons learned * Key concepts on NDFs, including the following have been developed:
I. governance mechanisms, institutional structures;
II. operational modalities and fund management techniques;
III. possible resource mobilization strategies for fund capitalization.
* Possible approaches and processes in setting up or designing NDFs.

Financing * UNSO/UNDP resources;
* Contributions from Norway and other bilateral donors.

Contact Mr. Samuel Nyambi, Director UNSO,
304 E 45 St. Room FF-946
New York NY 10017 USA;
Tel. (212) 906 5755;
Fax (212) 906 6345.
Mr. Tijan Jallow, Senior Technical Advisor, UNSO,
304 E 45 St Room FF-910
New York NY 10017 USA;
Tel (212) 906 6613;
Fax (212) 906 6345 E-mail: unso@undp.org

Copyright © United Nations
Department of Economic and Social Affairs
Comments and suggestions: esa@un.org
1 November 1997

	Programme to support establishment of National Desertification Funds (NDFs) in the context of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (CCD)
	Location	Dryland Countries of Africa.
	Responsible organization(s)	UNDP Office to Combat Desertification and Drought (UNSO).
	Description	The financial provisions of CCD (art. 21, para 4) calls upon affected developing countries to set, as appropriate, National Desertification funds, for the purpose of mobilizing and channeling financial resources to support anti-desertification & drought mitigation activities undertaken by local communities. Such a financial mechanism, while being the main funding arrangement for the implementation of the CCD at national level, nonetheless provides an important opportunity to strengthen participatory process, stimulate domestic resource mobilization and, through provision of small grants to local communities, contribute to efforts to eradicate poverty in areas affected by drought and desertification. UNSO's initial work consisted of concept development, resulting in following publications: National Desertification Funds (NDF); A concept Paper on Possible Scope and Operational Modalities; A Brochure on National Desertification funds; and an NGO Guide Book on NDF. It also provided catalytic support to assist countries set up NDFs. This involves financial, technical/substantive support from UNSO to enable countries to launch NDF design activities, organize national NDF workshops and other steps leading to formal establishment of the funds.
	Issues addressed	* Poverty eradication and creation of alternative livelihoods to reduce pressure on dry marginal lands; * Sustainable funding arrangement to address long-term needs and priorities of local populations in dry marginal areas of Africa; * Local community participation strengthened by enhancing their voice on decision-making processes on priorities and resource allocation; * Promotion of innovative programmes to build upon local knowledge, and utilize iterative planning processes to adapt interventions to changing needs of priorities.
	Objectives	* Create greater awareness about, and promote the concept of NDFs in affected developing countries, in order to generate interest and support for their establishment; * Strengthen/build capacity; * Provide technical assistance and other forms of support to help launch the process of NDF establishment; * Assist countries that have embarked upon fund establishment process to mobilize resources to capitalize the funds.
	Results achieved	* NDF set up in some 20-25 Africa Countries affected by desertification and drought; * Resources mobilized, particularly from domestic sources to capitalize the funds, in order to support implementation of the CCD.
	Lessons learned	* Key concepts on NDFs, including the following have been developed: I. governance mechanisms, institutional structures; II. operational modalities and fund management techniques; III. possible resource mobilization strategies for fund capitalization. * Possible approaches and processes in setting up or designing NDFs.
	Financing	* UNSO/UNDP resources; * Contributions from Norway and other bilateral donors.
	Contact	Mr. Samuel Nyambi, Director UNSO, 304 E 45 St. Room FF-946 New York NY 10017 USA; Tel. (212) 906 5755; Fax (212) 906 6345. Mr. Tijan Jallow, Senior Technical Advisor, UNSO, 304 E 45 St Room FF-910 New York NY 10017 USA; Tel (212) 906 6613; Fax (212) 906 6345 E-mail: unso@undp.org