This publication is a product of the GEF-funded FAO project "Decision Support for Mainstreaming and Scaling Out Sustainable Land Management" which has developed a decision support framework (DSF). The DSF integrates experience from work with land degradation and SLM into an overall strategy for mainstreaming and scaling out SLM at different spatial and temporal scales. Such a strategy, put in place at the beginning of a project or programme, can ensure impact beyond a project’s implementation area and timeframe. Furthermore, if SLM is integrated appropriately into existing decision-making processes, the dependency on project-bound financial and technical support decreases, and there is a better chance of enhancing a process with sustained impact.

This publication serves as a step-by-step guide for the application and implementation of the DSF during planning, design and implementation of SLM interventions. It includes elements – both in its modules and proposed tools and methods – which can support countries in pursuing land degradation neutrality.

The guide will be launched at WOCAT's side event "Learning from each other: successful experiences on knowledge exchange and South South Cooperation for achieving Land Degradation Neutrality" organized by Brasil at UNCCD CRIC21 on Friday 17 November 2023, 13:00 - 15:00, MET-10.

Furthermore, the guide will be relevant for the side event "Integrated land use planning to reverse the trend: from degraded land to healthy soils – for food security and land degradation neutrality" organized by FAO on Thursday 16 November 2023, 08:00 - 10:00, MET-12.