Description:

Fourteen civil society organizations (CSOs) from countries affected by desertification have started working together on an initiative called “Drynet”. Launched in June 2007, Drynet is a 3-year project funded by the EU. Drynet has been established within the context of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). The project is based on the idea that leading CSOs, adequately trained and actively sharing knowledge and competence, play a crucial role in putting dryland ecosystem degradation and poverty high onto the national development agenda. While civil society has contributed significantly in the development of UNCCD national action plans (NAPs) in many countries, it does not effectively participate in mainstreaming desertification into aid frameworks. Thus, in countries where NAPs have not yet been finalized, the project strengthens CSOs and their networks to provide better input into the process. In countries that are in process of mainstreaming desertification issues and integrating activities from the NAP into cooperation frameworks, the project focuses on capacity building and dissemination of information within civil society to integrate and influence the process. The project is also in the process of developing the capacities of CSOs to generate project ideas or adopt best practices and develop these into feasible projects. The Environmetnal Monitoring Group (EMG) is spearheading the South African section of Drynet. Current and planned activities for Drynet South Africa over the coming months include the production of quarterly newsletters (please find attached our first issue), the identification and dissemination of sustainable land management (SLM) best practices, and the hosting of a national civil society workshop, from the 17th – 19th June (to coincide with the International Day of Desertification). The aim of this workshop includes sharing research, knowledge and best practices and contributing towards mainstreaming UNCCD and SLM in policy dialogue and development strategy frameworks.

Relevant Activities:

Public awareness/advocacy Training Local capacity building Policy development Poverty reduction Technical assistance

Target Area:

South Africa

Contact Details:

Address: P.O. Box 13778, Mowbray, 7700
Phone:021-788-3462
Email:karen.goldberg@gmail.com
Organisation Website: www.emg.org.za
Project website: www.dry-net.org

Kiosk Manager

Karen Goldberg
TEL: :021-788-3462
Email: karen.goldberg@gmail.com