WOCAT

Welcome to WOCAT โ€“ the World Overview of Conservation Approaches and Technologies

WOCAT is a global network on Sustainable Land Management (SLM) that promotes the documentation, sharing and use of knowledge to support adaptation, innovation and decision-making in SLM.

Events

WOCAT participation at the UNCCD CRIC23

Join WOCAT at the UNCCD CRIC 23 in Panama City, Panama, from December 1-5, 2025. This important session brings together representatives from 196 countries to review global efforts against desertification, land degradation, and drought. We are excited to contribute to discussions on achieving land degradation neutrality and building a more resilient future. More details about WOCAT's involvement at the CRIC23 will be announced soon.

ยป More about CRIC23
Fifth Learning Event of the DSL-IP e-Learning Series

Together with FAO and IUCN, WOCAT is organising a DSL-IP online learning event on 29 October 2025 on the topic of gender in sustainable dryland management. The event aims to highlight the importance of gender issues for SLM to effectively address land degradation and strengthen climate resilience. It will showcase good practices and innovative gender-responsive approaches to SLM from two DSL-IP countries - Mongolia and Zimbabwe.

๐Ÿ—“๏ธ Date: October 29, 2025 | 12:00 โ€“ 14:00 CET๐Ÿ“Platform: Zoom

ยป Register here
SLM Training Workshop and Launch of AfrioCAT

Africa takes a bold step forward for Sustainable Land Management and Land Degradation Neutrality. AfrioCAT will be a powerful platform for knowledge sharing, innovation, and capacity building; connecting local practices with continental action and global influence. From October 20 - 23 in Addis, during the workshop co-hosted by AUDA-NEPAD, WOCAT and WLRC, together with practitioners, researchers, governments will together shape the strategy and structure of this transformative network.

Stay tuned for more updates as Africa's voice on land is about to get louder!

ยป Find updates here
Day 1 AfrioCAT Launching Workshop

The AfrioCAT workshop wrap-up in the morning was all about learning, sharing, and scaling up Sustainable Land Management (SLM)! The afternoon was all about getting hands-on with the tools needed to track Land Degradation (LD), monitor SLM, and ultimately achieve Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN). A Key question was: "๐—›๐—ผ๐˜„ can the ๐—ช๐—ข๐—–๐—”๐—ง ๐—ฆ๐—Ÿ๐—  ๐——๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ฎ๐—ฏ๐—ฎ๐˜€๐—ฒ best ๐˜€๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐˜ƒ๐—ฒ ๐—ป๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ป๐—ฎ๐—น ๐—ฆ๐—Ÿ๐—  ๐˜€๐—ฐ๐—ฎ๐—น๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ด ๐—ฒ๐—ณ๐—ณ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐˜๐˜€?" Main insights included that SLM success highly depends on inclusive processes, country ownership is essential, data must speak to people to enable use, partnerships matter, and digital tools can transform monitoring and land management in Africa.

ยป Read more
Day 2 AfrioCAT Launching Workshop

In the morning we explored how Africaโ€™s land restoration journey connects to both global and continental frameworks; from the UNCCDโ€™s LDN to Agenda 2063, AFR100, and the Kampala Declaration. What stood out is the importance of africanizing tools: Making global approaches work for African realities, languages, and communities; owning data & knowledge: The continent doesnโ€™t lack expertise; it needs stronger coordination, data sharing, and trust; and from projects to systems: Integrating SLM into national policies, education, and community action. The highlight of the afternoon was our field trip! People were excited to witness SLM practices applied and linked to the unique culture and history of Addis Ababa. This local relevance is key!

ยป Read more

News

SDG 15.3.1 Good Practice Guidance Addendum

The SDG 15.3.1 GPG Addendum (unedited version) is out!

After 18 months and collaboration with many experts and institutions, we are pleased to share this document with updated guidance to compare land degradation maps over time, estimate SDG indicator 15.3.1 and monitor progress towards LDN.

ยป Read more
WOCAT Newsletter January-June 2025

The Newsletter is out! Dive in and explore our three decade-long alliance with FAO, an outlook for new opportunities of capacity development and much more. Together we are continuing our work towards sustainable land management and land degradation neutrality!

ยป Read it now!
WOCAT Multi-Donor Basket Fund (MDBF) for SLM

The MDBF, hosted by the UNCCD Secretariat, is a collaborative financial mechanism that pools donor resources to accelerate the global implementation of innovative SLM solutions, addressing critical gaps in knowledge and capacity.

Trigger change! Innovative Sustainable Agriculture Solutions for Land Restoration - A Global Course

This new course, developed by a team of university professors and sustainable agriculture experts from around the world, serves as a comprehensive resource for educators. It targets university students and training institution participants worldwide enrolled in agriculture and related programs.

UNCCD-WOCAT gender-responsive SLM tool

The new UNCCD-WOCAT gender-responsive SLM tool is now available online on our database. This tool supports project planners, designers, and implementers in their effort to scale up SLM Technologies and Approaches for women and men equally.

More information on the project here.

Global SLM Database

The Global Database on SLM contains a vast range of good practices from all over the world and is the primary recommended database by UNCCD.

SLM knowledge products

Are you looking for global or national good SLM practices compilations, guidelines, videos, factsheets, papers or other media?

CDE
ISRIC
ICARDA
FAO logo
CIAT Bioversity Alliance
GIZ
ICIMOD

Funding Partners

SDC
BMZ