SDS project guidelines

Develop SDS specific projects

Developing a project focusing on addressing the impacts of SDS should include the following specific steps and use the guidance from the Checklist for Land Degradation Neutrality Transformative Projects and Programmes. Of course, these steps come in addition to standard procedures for project development (see, for instance, the International Labour Organization’s Guidance Note 1.1: Project Design and Theory of Change):

1. Identify whether the project area is a source and or impact location. This can be done by using one of the methods in Module 4.
2. Assess the level of risk or vulnerability to SDS events. This can be done using one of the methods in Module 3.
3. Develop project goals and objectives to address the causes of SDS risks as identified in the risk assessment and through discussions with stakeholders, including those affected by SDS, government officials and experts.
4. Depending on the nature of SDS risks or vulnerabilities, select methods in Module 4 and Module 5 to reduce level as of risk or vulnerability.  Note that Module 4 focuses on source management while Module 5 focuses on impact mitigation. The focus of a project on source management, impact mitigation or both would depend on the goal of the project. For instance, a project with a goal of reducing land degradation would use the methods set out in Module 4. A disaster preparedness project would use the methods set out in Module 5. Any decision on methods should take into account gender, as men and women and girls and boys are affected differently by SDS.
5. In selecting the most effective methods, it may be necessary to conduct an economic assessment to assess the costs to benefits of each intervention. Tools for economic analysis can be found in the SDS Compendium, chapter 6.

Integrate SDS into existing projects 

Identifying opportunities to integrate measures to address SDS into an existing project can be based on the following steps:

1. Identify whether the project area is a source and or impact location. This can be done by using one of the methods in Module 4.
2. Assess the level of risk or vulnerability to SDS events. This can be done using one of the methods in Module 3.
3. Depending on the nature of SDS risks or vulnerabilities and project goal, select methods in Module 4 and Module 5 to reduce level as of risk or vulnerability. Note that Module 4 focuses on source management while Module 5 focuses on impact mitigation. Using methods to manage sources or mitigating impacts or both would depend on the goal of the project. For instance, a project with a goal of reducing land degradation would use the methods set out in Module 4. A disaster preparedness project would use the methods set out in Module 5. Any decision on methods should take into account gender, as men and women and girls and boys are affected differently by SDS.
4. In selecting the most effective methods, it may be necessary to conduct an economic assessment to assess the costs to benefits of each intervention. Tools for economic analysis can be found in the SDS Compendium, chapter 6.