DS4LDN

Decision support for land degradation neutrality (DS4LDN) strengthens the capacities of UNCCD Parties for inclusive, evidence-based decision support on LDN. The GEF-funded project supports countries in assessing, mapping and monitoring land degradation and in co-developing national LDN decision support systems (LDN-DSS). The project is implemented by UNDP and executed by CDE, University of Bern.

Through DS4LDN, ten countries will receive targeted support to strengthen participatory land degradation assessment and develop nationally tailored LDN Decision Support Systems:

Achieving LDN requires countries to understand where land degradation is occurring, what is driving it, and where action is needed. Earth Observation provides essential information for assessing and mapping land degradation, but combining it with national and sub-national data, expert knowledge, and participatory approaches can provide a more comprehensive and context-specific evidence base. Making this information accessible through decision-support systems can help countries identify priorities, plan SLM interventions, refine LDN targets, and support monitoring and reporting towards Sustainable Development Goal target 15.3 (SDG 15.3).

As executing partner, CDE coordinates the implementation of DS4LDN, drawing on WOCAT’s global network and long-standing experience in SLM, participatory knowledge co-production and LDN decision support. WOCAT-CDE leads the development and application of participatory approaches and LDN Decision Support Systems, coordinates capacity development, and facilitates knowledge exchange and South–South cooperation.