1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Approach

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

Generating Economic and Environmental Benefits from Sustainable Land Management for Vulnerable Rural Communities of Georgia (GREENLANDS)

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

Global Environment Facility Georgia (GEF Georgia) - Georgia

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

04/11/2019

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

1.4 Reference(s) to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Technologies

2.1 Short description of the Approach

In the framework of the project ‘Generating Economic and Environmental Benefits from Sustainable Land Management for Vulnerable Rural Communities of Georgia’, Land Degradation Neutrality Transformative Projects and Programmes (LDN-TPP) were developed to implement the LDN targets at municipal level.
The approach defines the process to break down global and international LDN targets and to translate these into local contributions from the municipalities of Gori, Kareli, Kvareli and Sagarejo.

2.2 Detailed description of the Approach

Detailed description of the Approach:

The three-year project ‘Generating Economic and Environmental Benefits from Sustainable Land Management for Vulnerable Rural Communities of Georgia' funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), is implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and executed by the Regional Environmental Centre for the Caucasus (RECC). The initiator and beneficiary of the project is the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia. Within this framework, Land Degradation Neutrality Transformative Projects and Programmes (LDN-TPP) were developed to implement the LDN targets at municipal level.
The project aims to create an enabling environment at the community level to achieve the country's goal of Gender Responsive Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN). The project supports local farmers to apply sustainable land management and climate-smart agricultural practices to promote food security and resilience in order to reduce the impacts of erosion, salinisation and soil fertility reduction in Sagarejo, Kvareli, Gori and Kareli on 20,000 ha of pilot land. As a result, it is expected that there will be an improved understanding of the economics of land degradation and integrated land use planning at national and sub-national levels. In the preceding approach recorded under WOCAT, namely ‘Integrated Land Use Plans (ILUPs) for sustainable agriculture and rural development with special emphasis on SLM, CSA and LDN in four municipalities [Georgia]’, ILUPs were developed for four municipalities providing a detailed spatial basis. A separate study (Ballesteros et al. 2020) compiled baseline information about LDN indicators.

This approach complements the ILUP. It combines the spatial information elaborated for land use planning, the LDN baseline information with national LDN targets, UNCCD principles for LDN and municipal stakeholder priorities to come up with a concrete plan for the municipal contribution to (inter)national targets. Thus, this approach serves to operationalise the national LDN targets at municipal level. At the time of documentation of this apporach, planning was completed and the participatory process for validation and decision-making for concrete targets had been initiated.

Taking this into account, a targeted programme was designed, which breaks down national targets into municipal targets with related activities and spatially explicit priority areas for implementation. This approach serves to operationalise LDN-related recommendations and proposed actions as presented and defined in the Integrated Land Use Plan. It seeks to define the contribution of the municipalities Gori, Kareli, Kvareli and Sagarejo to the achievement of national and global LDN targets.

The output is intended to serve as a starting point for local discussion (especially with the LDN Working Group) to further specify and prioritise the objectives and measures proposed. It provides a solid basis for discussing (a) concrete measures and (b) the areas best suited for these measures. The approach is documented in a consolidated document on how the municipality can contribute to the national LDN goals, based on the specific situation and potentials of the municipality.
The LDN TPP focuses on specific objectives and actions in the area of the municipality and its various functional land units in a pro-active, forward-looking and visionary manner as a contribution to the nationally set LDN objectives and the overall LDN vision. It presents possible and recommended development pathways and focuses predominantly on LDN implementation options through the application and adoption of various SLM and CSA practices.

2.3 Photos of the Approach

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Approach has been applied

2.6 Dates of initiation and termination of the Approach

2.7 Type of Approach

• project/ programme based

2.8 Main aims/ objectives of the Approach

The approach seeks to define the local contribution of the municipalities Gori, Kareli, Kvareli and Sagarejo to the achievement of national and global LDN targets whilst meeting local needs and priorities

2.9 Conditions enabling or hindering implementation of the Technology/ Technologies applied under the Approach

3.1 Stakeholders involved in the Approach and their roles

3.2 Involvement of local land users/ local communities in the different phases of the Approach

	Involvement of local land users/ local communities	Specify who was involved and describe activities
initiation/ motivation	none
planning	passive	Local land users were consulted to gain experience and insight into the situation of agriculture in the different areas. The interviews were then incorporated in the preparation of the maps and land use plans. Stakeholder priorities formulated during the meetings were the basis for the setting of the municipal targets. Due to COVID 19 the related participatory process to validate the proposed targets, activities and locations has only started recently. Thus, finally the classification would rather refer to "interactive planning".
implementation	none
monitoring/ evaluation	none	M&E will be provided in a later stage once the decisions are made regarding the final activities and priorities

3.4 Decision-making on the selection of SLM Technology/ Technologies

Specify who decided on the selection of the Technology/ Technologies to be implemented:

• mainly SLM specialists, following consultation with land users

Explain:

After initial consultations, the plan was prepared based on scientific and GIS-based information translating it into a muncipal programme. The process will be concluded once the programme is validated and discussed with land users and municipal administration (ongoing process).

Specify on what basis decisions were made:

• evaluation of well-documented SLM knowledge (evidence-based decision-making)
• research findings
• personal experience and opinions (undocumented)

4.1 Capacity building/ training

Was training provided to land users/ other stakeholders?

No

4.2 Advisory service

Do land users have access to an advisory service?

No

4.3 Institution strengthening (organizational development)

Have institutions been established or strengthened through the Approach?

• yes, a little

Specify the level(s) at which institutions have been strengthened or established:

• local

Describe institution, roles and responsibilities, members, etc.

Within the framework of the project, municipal Land Degradation Neutrality Groups were established comprising municipal stakeholders and land users. This board serves to discuss LDN issues, define priorities and provide knowledge about local phenomena of land degradation (e.g. participatory mapping of degradation)

Specify type of support:

• capacity building/ training

Give further details:

Basically, these groups were consulted for the identification of priorities and land-degradation mapping in the municipality. In a follow-up step, these groups will play a crucial role in decision-making and implementation of the programme.

4.4 Monitoring and evaluation

Is monitoring and evaluation part of the Approach?

No

Comments:

The current approach designed a LDN-TPP at municipal level. Once the municipality decides about the final priorities and measures to be taken, a monitoring plan will be included.

4.5 Research

Was research part of the Approach?

Yes

Specify topics:

• sociology
• ecology
• technology

Give further details and indicate who did the research:

The designed programme builds on 3 main elements: (1) local knowledge through project-based experiences and implicit knowledge of land users and the LDN group, (2) a spatial analysis of land use within the frame of the land-use planning process (see Zollner, 2021, separate approach recorded under Wocat) and (3) a LDN baseline study about the three global LDN indicators (land cover, net primary production and soil organic carbon) (Ballesteros et al. 2020).

5.1 Annual budget for the SLM component of the Approach

If precise annual budget is not known, indicate range:

• 10,000-100,000

Comments (e.g. main sources of funding/ major donors):

This amount covers the elaboration of four programmes for four municipalities excluding the final implementation. Depending on the funding source and the final political decisions, the implementation of the programmes ranges from 500,000 - 4,000,000 USD. The costs for this process were funded by GEF via UNDP.

5.2 Financial/ material support provided to land users

Did land users receive financial/ material support for implementing the Technology/ Technologies?

No

5.3 Subsidies for specific inputs (including labour)

• none

5.4 Credit

Was credit provided under the Approach for SLM activities?

No

5.5 Other incentives or instruments

Were other incentives or instruments used to promote implementation of SLM Technologies?

No

6.1 Impacts of the Approach

6.2 Main motivation of land users to implement SLM

6.3 Sustainability of Approach activities

Can the land users sustain what has been implemented through the Approach (without external support)?

• yes

If yes, describe how:

The programme seeks agricultural transformation and a change in agricultural practice both reducing land degradation and increasing land productivity

6.4 Strengths/ advantages of the Approach

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Allows for a discussion based on maps displaying degradation challenges. This makes it easier to concretly agree on measures and priorities

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Combination of stakeholder priorities, local conditions, scientific baseline information and spatially very clear maps
Linking different plans and strategies with (inter)national obligations and targets at local level. This is a good basis for attracting funding and targeted interventions
Comprehensive, intersectoral and local approach connecting climate change, agricultural development, ecological and social aspects

6.5 Weaknesses/ disadvantages of the Approach and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view	How can they be overcome?
Local capacities are rather low and require external funding	Increased capacity building of the Muncipal LDN Group as key resource

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Due to COVID 19 a more participatory discussion of targets and exact location and scope of measures is still required (but planned)	The planning process can be extended to enable the participatory process
Without a capable local lead, it will be challenging	With REC which has been involved for a long time in the region, capable support and exact knowledge of local capacities is available.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Ballesteros Canovas, J.A., Da Silva Correia, G., Schlechten, J., Zumbulidze, M. & Stoffel, M. 2020: Report. Generating Economic and Environmental Benefits from Sustainable Land Management for Vulnerable Rural Communities of Georgia. University of Geneva

Available from where? Costs?

REC Caucasus

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Huber, M., Zollner, D., Zumbulidze, M., 2021: Sagarejo Land Degradation Neutrality Transformative Programme (LDN-TPP Sagarejo) for sustainable agriculture and rural development with special emphasis on SLM, CSA and LDN (Part B – LDN TPP Sagarejo). Version 2.0. Klagenfurt, Tbilisi, Sagarejo. 56 p.

Available from where? Costs?

REC Caucasus

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Huber, M., Zollner, D., Zumbulidze, M., 2021: Kareli Land Degradation Neutrality Transformative Programme (LDN-TPP Kareli) for sustainable agriculture and rural development with special emphasis on SLM, CSA and LDN (Part B – LDN-TPP Kareli). Version 2.0. Klagenfurt, Tbilisi, Kareli. 61 p.

Available from where? Costs?

REC Caucasus

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Huber, M., Zollner, D., Zumbulidze, M., 2021: Gori Land Degradation Neutrality Transformative Programme (LDN-TPP Gori) for sustainable agriculture and rural development with special emphasis on SLM,CSA and LDN (Part B – LDN-TPP Gori). Version 2.0. Klagenfurt, Tbilisi, Gori. 55 p.

Available from where? Costs?

REC Caucasus

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Huber, M., Zollner, D., Zumbulidze, M., 2021: Kvareli Land Degradation Neutrality Transformative Programme (LDN-TPP Kvareli) for sustainable agriculture and rural development with special emphasis on SLM, CSA and LDN (Part B – ILUP Kvareli). Version 2.0. Klagenfurt, Tbilisi, Kvareli. 54 p.

Available from where? Costs?

REC Caucasus

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Zollner, D., Zumbulidze, M., Kirchmeir, H., Fuchs, A. und Huber, M. 2021: Gori Integrated Land Use Plan (ILUP Gori) for sustainable agriculture and rural development with special emphasis on SLM, CSA and LDN. Part A – ILUP Gori. Version 2.0. Klagenfurt, Tbilisi, Gori. 80 p. + documentation volume/ annex.: REC Caucasus, E.C.O- Institute of Ecology

Available from where? Costs?

REC Caucasus

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Zollner, D., Zumbulidze, M., Kirchmeir, H., Fuchs, A. und Huber, M. 2021: Kareli Integrated Land Use Plan (ILUP Gori) for sustainable agriculture and rural development with special emphasis on SLM, CSA and LDN. Part A – ILUP Gori. Version 2.0. Klagenfurt, Tbilisi, Gori. 80 p. + documentation volume/ annex.: REC Caucasus, E.C.O- Institute of Ecology

Available from where? Costs?

REC Caucasus

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Zollner, D., Zumbulidze, M., Kirchmeir, H., Fuchs, A. und Huber, M. 2021: Kvareli Integrated Land Use Plan (ILUP Gori) for sustainable agriculture and rural development with special emphasis on SLM, CSA and LDN. Part A – ILUP Gori. Version 2.0. Klagenfurt, Tbilisi, Gori. 80 p. + documentation volume/ annex.:REC Caucasus, E.C.O- Institute of Ecology

Available from where? Costs?

REC Caucasus

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Zollner, D., Zumbulidze, M., Kirchmeir, H., Fuchs, A. und Huber, M. 2021: Sagarejo Integrated Land Use Plan (ILUP Gori) for sustainable agriculture and rural development with special emphasis on SLM, CSA and LDN. Part A – ILUP Gori. Version 2.0. Klagenfurt, Tbilisi, Gori. 80 p. + documentation volume/ annex.: REC Caucasus, E.C.O- Institute of Ecology

Available from where? Costs?

REC Caucasus

7.3 Links to relevant information which is available online

Title/ description:

UNCCD Checklist for Land Degradation Neutrality Transformative Projects and Programmes (LDN TPP)

URL:

https://knowledge.unccd.int/sites/default/files/2018-09/LDN%20TPP%20checklist%20final%20draft%20040918.pdf

Title/ description:

UNCCD Land Degradation Neutrality Transformative Projects and Programmes: Operational Guidance for Country Support

URL:

https://www.unccd.int/publications/land-degradation-neutrality-transformative-projects-and-programmes-operational