[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(0,0,0,0)” max_width=”750px” custom_margin=”|auto||auto|false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”22px” text_line_height=”34px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Local farmers in the Sahel are at the forefront of sweeping change. They are coming together to halt land degradation and desertification, and restore healthy ecosystems. We aim to ensure that Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration<\/a> \u2013 and community-led ecosystem restoration in general \u2013 receives the attention and support it deserves, including by engaging in international spaces like the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n For communities in the Sahel, whose livelihoods depend on the health of their land, decisions taken at the UNCCD are extremely important. The convention brings together governments, experts and civil society organisations to define priorities, share solutions and mobilise funding for land restoration.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, many polices and funding mechanisms to combat desertification focus on technical solutions \u2013 which are often top-down, complex and costly. Yet more than a decade of results from the Communities Regreen the Sahel programme makes clear that locally led solutions like Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration are a highly effective, sustainable solution that offer an array of environmental, social and economic benefits.<\/p>\n Widespread support is needed to stimulate the massive scaling up of FMNR throughout the Sahel. We participate in the UNCCD\u2019s annual conference to urge decision-makers to adopt policies that enable FMNR and ensure that funding flows to locally-led regreening efforts.<\/p>\n In 2024, at the UNCCD COP16 in Saudi Arabia, we met with policymakers, and organised and participated in side events to showcase the results of FMNR and the Communities Regreen the Sahel programme. At one side event, we joined our allies in the Drynet network<\/a> to present ten detailed recommendations for the UNCCCD. Among other things, we called for robust implementation of the UNCCD\u2019s landmark decision recognising informal, collective and customary land tenure. Strengthening tenure security<\/a> for local communities, especially women, youth and pastoralists<\/a>, is a critical piece of the regreening puzzle. People are more likely to invest in the long-term effort of regreening when they know they will reap the benefits.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.communitiesregreenthesahel.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/story-UNCCD-Members-of-the-CRS-consortium-from-Burkina-Faso-present-at-UNCCD-COP15-in-Abidjan-Cote-d_Ivoire.png” title_text=”story UNCCD – Members of the CRS consortium from Burkina Faso present at UNCCD COP15 in Abidjan, Cote d_Ivoire” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.communitiesregreenthesahel.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/story-UNCCD-Both-ENDS-representative-makes-the-CSO-statement-at-UNCCD-COP15-in-Abidjan.png” title_text=”story UNCCD – Both ENDS representative makes the CSO statement at UNCCD COP15 in Abidjan” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Our participation in the UNCCD also provides an important opportunity to link up with other actors \u2013 local, national and international organisations and policymakers \u2013 who share our vision of locally led ecosystem restoration. We exchange experiences and lessons learned from the Communities Regreen the Sahel programme, and explore opportunities for collaboration to strengthen impact.<\/p>\nLocally-led solutions<\/h4>\n
Mobilising support at UNCCD COP16<\/h4>\n
Members of the CRS consortium from Burkina Faso present at UNCCD COP15 in Abidjan, Cote d_Ivoire<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n
Both ENDS representative makes the CSO statement at UNCCD COP15 in Abidjan<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n
Movement building<\/h4>\n