The Practical Guide to Designing Integrated Financing Strategies for Combating Desertification is a reference manual of instruments and methodologies used in the formulation of Integrated Financing Strategies. It illustrates the steps to be followed in the development of the strategy, highlighting the main concepts that should be elaborated, and proposes approaches for addressing the central issues surrounding land degradation. The Guide provides practical tools that can be used in the analysis of data, synthesis of information, and development of practical action plans.

The Guide outlines clearly the procedural methodology that will assist in the formulation process. It is anticipated that during the financing strategy formulation process, the country team will be able to use this Guide as a roadmap to achieve the following:that the strategy is rooted in a true analysis of the country situation that the key elements necessary for designing the strategy are elaborated that the accompanying processes of consultation, partnership building, coordination and awareness raising are undertaken concurrently with the development of the strategy that the contributions of all relevant stakeholders are integrated to make sure the strategy is comprehensive, pragmatic and implementable.
What has been included in the Guide is only the essential information needed for specifying the scope and content of the strategy.