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)

Soil protection and rehabilitation for food security (ProSo(i)l)

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

01/17/2023

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

Yes

2.1 Short description of the Approach

Sustainable Land Management (SLM) through Village Development Councils (CVDs) is an approach that empowers stakeholders to implement the SLM technologies promoted by ProSoil. This approach combines land tenure aspects with those of Sustainable Land Management.

2.2 Detailed description of the Approach

Detailed description of the Approach:

Implementing Sustainable Land Management (SLM) practices and addressing land-related issues through Village Development Councils (CDVs) is a participatory approach that empowers local stakeholders by emphasizing the importance of land tenure for the success and sustainability of SLM actions.
This approach aims to proactively anticipate land conflicts by clarifying land-related aspects before initiating any development. Its aim is to secure the consensus and agreement of beneficiaries regarding the adoption of SLM technologies promoted by ProSoil.
Implemented through a participatory and inclusive approach, various methods have been utilized, including capacity-building for farmers, mapping, consultation, information dissemination, and awareness-raising. The key stages of this approach are as follows:
1. Support for local governance processes;
2. Comprehensive assessment of the physical degradation/land tenure situation;
3. Expression of interest;
4. Consultation framework;
5. Development decision;
6. Feedback on the study and consensus-building among beneficiaries;
7. Fundraising;
8. Capacity-building/awareness-raising among beneficiaries;
9. Site development;
10. Assessment of the effects and impacts of the technical and land-related measures.

The main stakeholders involved in this strategy include municipalities (communes), CDVs, deconcentrated technical services (STDs), and local land authorities such as the land services, village land commissions, and village land conciliation commissions. ProSoil facilitated the establishment of SFRs, CFVs, and CCFVs in areas where they were previously non-existent. Once established, these entities, supported by communes, ProSoil, and civil society organizations, underwent training in various topics, including:
•the causes of soil degradation, anti-erosion measures, integrated soil fertility management;
•Act 034-2009/AN on rural land tenure and local conciliation mechanisms.
The key responsibilities of these stakeholders include raising awareness among land users about the multi-actor SLM approach, strengthening connections among SLM stakeholders, clarifying roles and responsibilities, jointly organizing SLM measures, integrating SLM measures into communal planning, and aligning land tenure with the "Land First" SLM approach. Additionally, these stakeholders play a role in providing a platform for exchange between local and national SLM stakeholders, building the capacity of stakeholders for collaborative SLM projects at the communal level, and capitalizing on a long-term SLM development approach.
Village Development Councils (CVDs) actively support the establishment of CFV/CCFVs, conduct inventories of landowning families, and are responsible for training, planning, executing development actions, and managing land issues. These responsibilities align with the provisions of Decree no. 2007-032/PRES/PM/MATD of January 22, 2007, on the organization, composition, and operation of village development councils. CVDs are accountable for the day-to-day management of village activities, including examining and providing written, reasoned opinions on development projects and programs, addressing issues affecting village development, and issuing detailed recommendations in areas such as preserving social peace, mobilizing the population around socio-economic initiatives, and protecting the environment.
Farmers express satisfaction with the participatory and inclusive nature of the process for implementing this approach. The approach fostered the involvement of all village stakeholders, leading to consensus and agreement on the implementation of SLM measures.

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

This approach is designed primarily to anticipate/ pre-empt land conflicts by clarifying land tenure issues prior to any development.

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	interactive	Local land users participated in nearly every stage of establishing the approach, leading to a consensus and agreement regarding the implementation of the proposed improvements.
planning	interactive	With the exception of fundraising, land users were involved at every stage of the implementation of the approach.
implementation	interactive	Local land users are collaboratively engaged in the establishment of the approach, especially since they participate in the working groups set up to implement it.
monitoring/ evaluation	interactive	Local land users form an integral part of the process of assessing the effects and impacts of technical and land-related measures.

3.3 Flow chart (if available)

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

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

• all relevant actors, as part of a participatory approach

Explain:

The approach was implemented through a participatory and inclusive process. This led to an agreement to implement SLM.

Specify on what basis decisions were made:

• evaluation of well-documented SLM knowledge (evidence-based decision-making)

4.1 Capacity building/ training

Was training provided to land users/ other stakeholders?

Yes

Specify who was trained:

• land users
• field staff/ advisers

Form of training:

• public meetings
• courses

Subjects covered:

• Causes of soil degradation, anti-erosion measures and integrated soil fertility management;
• Act 034-2009/AN on rural land tenure and local conciliation mechanisms;
• Conflict management;
• The procedure for submitting a request to the Town Hall.

Comments:

The aim of this training and mass awareness-raising was to prepare the local population for the smooth implementation, peaceful operation and maintenance of the facilities.

4.2 Advisory service

Do land users have access to an advisory service?

Yes

Specify whether advisory service is provided:

• on land users' fields

Describe/ comments:

The Decentralised Technical Services (STD) provide ongoing technical assistance to land users as they carry out their activities.

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.

The Rural Land Service is entrusted with the management and safeguarding of the commune's land holdings, which encompass local shared natural resources and private individuals' land within the commune. This department comprises the following offices:
•the Land Registry and Information Office; and
•the Topographic Office.
The Village Land Commission plays a crucial role in supporting the effective implementation of the Rural Land Service's missions by contributing to the security and management of the commune's land holdings while assisting in securing land tenure for all rural stakeholders. Specifically, the Commission is responsible for raising awareness about land issues, identifying local natural resource areas for common use, participating in the recording of local land rights and, in general, working to prevent rural land conflicts (Article 82). The Village Land Commission has a maximum of nine (09) members, appointed by the Village Assembly (Article 10).
The CCFV is competent to hear disputes relating to access to and/or use of rural land and natural resources, with the exception of those in areas governed by specific regimes, notably the Mining Code. The CCFV is composed of :
•one (01) chairman, who is the representative of the customary and traditional authorities responsible for land issues;
•full members and alternate members;
•one (01) full secretary and one deputy secretary (who is able to read and write in French).

Specify type of support:

• capacity building/ training

Give further details:

Capacity-building/training focused on the following topics:
•The causes of soil degradation, anti-erosion measures and integrated soil fertility management;
•Act 034-2009/AN on rural land tenure and local conciliation mechanisms;
•Conflict management; and
•The Procedure for submitting a request to the Town Hall.

4.4 Monitoring and evaluation

Is monitoring and evaluation part of the Approach?

Yes

Comments:

The tenth step in the approach involves evaluating the effects and impacts of technical and land-related measures. It consists of regularly assessing the impact or effects of developments on reducing land degradation, increasing production, and preserving the environment. This evaluation will be carried out as part of the assessment of the baseline situation of degraded land, which may take place in 2024. It is the responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture through the General Directorate of Hydraulic Facilities and Irrigation Development (DGAHDI), with the collaboration of the communes concerned and the support of civil society organizations (CSOs), technical and financial partners (TFPs), etc.

If yes, is this documentation intended to be used for monitoring and evaluation?

Yes

Comments:

The purpose of this document is to facilitate monitoring and evaluation processes. Therefore, it will help assess trends in land degradation and draw up recommendations.

4.5 Research

Was research part of the Approach?

No

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):

Prosol is the main source of funding.

5.2 Financial/ material support provided to land users

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

Yes

If yes, specify type(s) of support, conditions, and provider(s):

As part of the implementation of the approach, land users are provided with basic tools such as pickaxes, hammers, shovels, wheelbarrows, and building materials like rubble and seeds. These resources are allocated to the working groups established by ProSoil, specifically for implementing the technologies it promotes. Apart from the didactic tools provided during training sessions, farmers do not receive any other equipment. ProSoil maintains a consistent land strategy across its entire intervention zone.

5.3 Subsidies for specific inputs (including labour)

• equipment

• construction

If labour by land users was a substantial input, was it:

• paid in cash

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)?

• uncertain

If no or uncertain, specify and comment:

The expenses associated with implementing SLM technologies endorsed by ProSoil are substantial. Consequently, it will be difficult for land users to sustain the implemented measures through the Approach without external support.

6.4 Strengths/ advantages of the Approach

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Information/awareness-raising/training
Collaboration
Consensus / Agreement

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Assessment of the physical degradation of the land.
Assessment of the land tenure situation on the site
Formulation of a request regarding development requirements.

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?
Risk of conflict over developed lands	Emphasize information/awareness-raising for beneficiary communities and consultation under the responsibility of SFRs and CVDs. Subsequently, local land charters governing the management of the sites concerned will need to be drawn up and secured through the issuance of Rural Land Ownership Certificates (APFR).

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
A lack of interest on the part of technical and financial partners (TFPs) in financing SLM and land tenure.	Emphasize research and diversification of TFPs.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Stratégie Nationale de Restauration, Conservation et Récupération des Sols (SNRCRS) au Burkina Faso 2020 – 2024, Ministère de l’Agriculture et des Aménagements Hydro-Agricoles, 2019/National Soil Restoration, Conservation and Reclamation Strategy (SNRCRS) in Burkina Faso 2020 - 2024, Ministry of Agriculture and Hydro-Agricultural Development, 2019

Available from where? Costs?

Available at ProSol

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Act 034-2009/AN on land tenure in Burkina Faso, Burkina Faso, 2009

Available from where? Costs?

Available on the Internet

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Decree No. 2007-032/PRES/PM/MATD of January 22, 2007 on the organization, formation and operation of Village Development Councils (CVD), Burkina Faso, 2007

Available from where? Costs?

Available on the Internet

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Catalogue de fiches techniques des mesures d’amélioration de la fertilité des sols, Projet « Réhabilitation et protection des sols dégradés et renforcement des instances foncières locales dans les zones rurales du Burkina Faso » (ProSol), 2020/Technical data sheet catalogue on soil fertility improvement measures, "Rehabilitation and protection of degraded soils and strengthening of local land tenure authorities in rural areas of Burkina Faso" (ProSol), 2020

Available from where? Costs?

Available at ProSol Burkina Faso

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Réalisation d’un diagnostic de l’état des ressources naturelles et de la gestion foncière dans les régions du Sud-Ouest et des Hauts-Bassins au Burkina Faso, Projet « Réhabilitation et protection des sols dégradés et renforcement des instances foncières locales dans les zones rurales du Burkina Faso » (ProSol), 2015/Conducting a diagnosis of the state of natural resources and land tenure management in the South-West and Hauts-Bassins regions of Burkina Faso, "Rehabilitation and protection of degraded soils and strengthening of local land tenure bodies in rural areas of Burkina Faso" (ProSol), 2015

Available from where? Costs?

Available at ProSol Burkina Faso

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Module de Gestion Durable des Terres (GDT) sensible au Genre, ProSol, 2021/Gender-sensitive Sustainable Land Management (SLM) Module, ProSol, 2021

Available from where? Costs?

Available at ProSol Burkina Faso

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Decree No. 2010-404__/PRES/PM/MAHRH/MRA/ MECV/MEF/MATD on the attributions, formation, organization and operation of local land management bodies, Burkina Faso, 2010

Available from where? Costs?

Available on the Internet

Title, author, year, ISBN:

National Soil Restoration, Conservation and Recovery Strategy in Burkina Faso (2020 - 2024), Ministry of Agriculture and Hydro-Agricultural Development of Burkina Faso, 2019

Available from where? Costs?

Available on the Internet

7.3 Links to relevant information which is available online

Title/ description:

Technical Guide on the Integration of the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security into the Implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and Land Degradation NeutralityFAO, Rome and UNCCD

URL:

https://www.unccd.int/sites/default/files/2023-04/VGGT%20guide%20FRE.pdf