DS4LDN Component 2 — Participatory LDN decision support in 10 pilot countries

Through targeted technical support and co-development processes, this component will empower 10 selected countries to implement participatory land degradation assessments: Belize, Cambodia, Chad, Egypt, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Palau, Sri Lanka, and Turkmenistan. The approach enhances the integration of national and local knowledge to guide the development of tailored LDN Decision Support Systems (LDN-DSS) and improve alignment of LDN targets with national priorities. A core team will be formed, comprising experts from different regions and covering all UN languages, including individuals from countries with prior experiences on participatory LDN processes, members of the WOCAT network, and experts involved with the UNCCD STI. This team will undergo comprehensive training through a Training of Trainers program, with the goal to championing and advancing the participatory approach. At regional level, regional/national institutions (e.g. universities, national research institutes, NGOs, CSOs) will be identified to act as representatives and collaborate with the core team to play a leading role for capacity development and ensure long-term sustainability.

Selected countries will identify national experts to join capacity development activities implemented by the regional representatives. The participatory approach will be implemented and the LDN-DSS co-developed in the selected countries, serving as examples for other countries facing similar challenges. As a result, knowledge products (maps, area estimations, etc.) fully compatible with UNCCD SO 1 reporting in PRAIS will be produced, to guarantee their use in planning and implementing LDN interventions.