Short description of the best practice

This is done islandwide (2.67 million people) with mixed land uses in a tropical maritime condition with significant elevated topography and steep slopes.  Population is a lower middle income economy (UNDP-HDI) with a current GDP per capita of approx. US$3000.

Location

Jamaica

If the location has well defined boundaries, specify its extension in hectares:

1100000.0

Estimated population living in the location:

2670000.0

Brief description of the natural environment within the specified location.

tropical maritime
varied elevations from sea level to 3000 metres above sea level
varying limestone and clay subtypes

Prevailing socio-economic conditions of those living in the location and/or nearby

Tourism, agriculture, bauxite mining and services|
Varied
US$3000 per capita GDP

On the basis of which criteria and/or indicator(s) (not related to The Strategy) the proposed practice and corresponding technology has been considered as 'best'?

national public consultation processes

Main problems addressed by the best practice

Lack of awareness of SLM by stakeholders
Improvement of the possiblities for joint programming
networking of participants

Outline specific land degradation problems addressed by the best practice

Knowledge of land degradation problem
Nature and degree of participation by stakeholders
Resource requirements to carry out initial activities

Specify the objectives of the best practice

Information gathering and dissemination
Knowledge sharing

Brief description of main activities, by objective

Establishing Networks and Partnerships - increased frequency of inter-agency meetings due to the fragmented nature of institutional mandates and the plethora of CSOs islandwide
Information Gathering - informal and formal surveys (questionnaires, interviews and group meetings)|
Awareness Raising - activities include face to face meetings, presentations and discussions|

Short description and technical specifications of the technology

Pamphlets, face to face presentation with modern telecommunication technology.|
Powerpoint presentation, maps, geoinfomatic products|

Name and address of the institution developing the technology

Forestry Department|173 Constant Spring Road
Kingston 10

Was the technology developed in partnership?

Yes

List the partners:

UNDP
Forestry
Dept of Local Govt
UWI

Specify the framework within which the technology was promoted

• National initiative – government-led

Was the participation of local stakeholders, including CSOs, fostered in the development of the technology?

Yes

List local stakeholders involved:

Local NGOs
Jamaica Conservation Development Trust

For the stakeholders listed above, specify their role in the design, introduction, use and maintenance of the technology, if any.

Consultation and feedback

Was the population living in the location and/or nearby involved in the development of the technology?

Yes

By means of what?

• Consultation
• Participatory approaches

Describe on-site impacts (the major two impacts by category)

The need for change of existing bad practices and/or the search for alternative livelihoods
Greater awareness of the need for SLM

Impact on biodiversity and climate change

Explain the reasons:

Increased awareness leads to better treatment of the environment

Has a cost-benefit analysis been carried out?

Has a cost-benefit analysis been carried out?

No

Was the technology disseminated/introduced to other locations?

Was the technology disseminated/introduced to other locations?

No

Can you identify the three main conditions that led to the success of the presented best practice/technology?

Availability of resources to support consultation and feedback.
Availability of venues
Local mobilization of stakeholders

Replicability

In your opinion, the best practice/technology you have proposed can be replicated, although with some level of adaptation, elsewhere?

Yes

At which level?

• Local
• Sub-national
• National

Related to human resources

Significant knowledge and skills gaps for implementation of SLM

Related to financial aspects

The absence of financial resources has hindered progress of increased knowledge and education of SLM issues

Related to technical aspects

Technical expertise and use of technology facilitates group learning