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Drynet partners build momentum
16 November, 2009
Drynet is a network of 14 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) working in 17 countries at policy and community level on sustainable rural development, dryland issues, and community empowerment. For three years now, Drynet partners have been implementing a joint networking and advocacy project at national and international level, with support from the European Commission and the GM, among others.
In this context, the Global Mechanism (GM) hosted the 3rd annual meeting of Drynet partners from 2 to 6 November in Rome. Thirteen civil society organisations (CSOs) from across the globe met to exchange experiences, views and brainstorm. The meeting included a day-and-a -half exchange with bilateral and multilateral organizations on Drynet, its achievements, and future plans.
During the meeting,the CSOs evaluated their strengths as a network and the challenges they face in promoting UNCCD issues at national and international level. Even though National Action Programmes to Combat Desertification (NAPs) are not strong politically and financially, concerted efforts to build nationally-based coalitions of CSOs and engage with government agencies have resulted in greater awareness, and in some cases, action on the part of governments to deliver on their UNCCD commitments.
The partners also reflected on Drynet’s added value at international level in terms of knowledge exchange on technical and strategic issues, participation in international policy processes, and partnership building with global institutions and organizations.
The CSOs put forward a proposal for a new phase of the project to consolidate and build on their achievements that will be shared with potential partners at regional and international levels in the coming months. Areas for future work presented and discussed include:
- strengthening national CSO platforms through which CSOs engage with government and development organizations;
- increasing Drynet’s participation in international policy processes, including the UNCCD; and
- developing local knowledge hubs to bridge the gaps between communities and decision makers.
Participating organisations expressed their interest in and support for Drynet’s work. They made recommendations for linking with other related initiatives and noted how the current focus and resources on climate change and food security provide potential interesting opportunities for Drynet CSOs to promote desertification issues.
For more information:
Ms Paule Herodote, Civil Society Investments Advisor
Tel. +39 06 5459 2760
p.herodote (at) global-mechanism.org
Tel. +39 06 5459 2760
p.herodote (at) global-mechanism.org
Marie José van der Werff
Drynet
drynet (at) bothends.org
Related Links
Read more about the GM's Civil Society Investments Programme