TEMA launched the DRYNET Project

DRYNET project started with a meeting in March 2005, Brazil-Fortaleza with the participation of 14 NGOs from Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. DRYNET is an EU funded project on strengthening civil society networks to address dryland degradation and poverty issues in the context of strategic development frameworks and the UNCCD in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. The project supports developing countries in their efforts to integrate the environmental dimension in development processes in particular on issues related to the UNCCD and other strategic development policy frameworks (MDGs, country strategy papers) including trade related issues.

Specific objectives of the projects are;
- NGOs and their national networks build the necessary instruments and capacity to participate in the mainstreaming of UNCCD National Actions Plans into Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers and other documents.
- NGOs build capacity in linking different cooperation frameworks, are able to use the relevant planning instruments for the design of projects adapting best practices and promoted research and development results. An operational and actively used structure for the exchange of positive projects' results and participatory methodologies to combat land degradation among NGOs, key stakeholders from science and key policy-makers will be established.
By the project;
1) NGOs establish and / or strengthen their networks
2) NGOs develop and enhance their capacity to provide input into the national and regional planning processes with regard to mainstreaming land degradation and poverty issues
3) NGOs and CBOs improve the quality of their project proposals on drylands development through better access to best practices and innovative technical solutions and approaches
4) Public awareness on dryland development issues improved in affected and donor countries
Main activities within the project;
1. Mapping and analysing existing dryland development projects, donor coordination and the implementation status of the UNCCD and other frameworks linking land degradation and poverty in the affected countries.
2. Identification and dissemination of best practices of projects, of civil society participation through series of national language newsletters (11 languages),series of short radio programs in 10 languages and an internet database
3. Documentation and dissemination of science and technology development results relevant for dryland development
4. Training and capacity building activities in 17 countries for effective lobbying, project planning, development and management
5. Development of NGO views on hot-topics on desertification and dryland development

Duration: 36 months