General

The aim of the programme is to conserve the mountain rainforests in Muller-Schwaner area in Borneo. The area is rich in biodiversity and home to many endemic species. Also thousands of people, including indigenous groups, live in the area. However, biodive rsity and local livelihoods are threatened by unsustainable development and infrastructure. Poor governance of natural resources is a direct and indirect cause of habitat, biodiversity, productivity loss by preventing or undermining enabling conditions and incentives for sustainable use. Deforestation, driven by timber logging and forest conversion to palm oil plantations, is one of the key challenges. Also mining is becoming an increasing problem in the area.The expected result of the programme is that an effective conservation management and equitable customary land-use are in place in Muller-Schwaner area. Improvement of land ownership of local communities and strengthening of the environmental legislation and governance principles are in the focus of our approach. At the same time we are influencing the companies working in the area to adopt sustainable approaches and strengthening of local livelihoods through green economy. These all factors reduce pressure on forests and support the long-term wellbeing of people and nature in the area.Beneficiaries: People living in the area, local district governments and local NGOs/CSOs.Implementor: WWF Indonesia (http://www.wwf.or.id/). Cooperation partners: Gunung Lumut Muller Foundation, Indigenous People Aliance (h ttp://www.aman.or.id/), SUAR Institute (http://www.suarmelawi.com), PRCF (People Resource Conservation Foundation) (http://www.prcfoundation.org), FASDA Sawit Lestari Sustainable Palm oil-Facilitator.

General

Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) is a partnership programme launched in 2012 between Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN (FAO) the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the International Institute for Development and Environment ( IIED).FFF engages producer organisations of small holders women communities and indigenous peoples in decision-making and financing solutions related to forest and farm landscapes. FFF aims to enhance multi-sectoral stakeholder policy platforms involving s takeholders and government at local and national level. FFF promotes the investment capacity of local communities and organisations in the area for sustainable agriculture and forestry as well as practicing and development of sustainable forest management. This would improve the income level and food security for small producers women and indigenous peoples' communities. Moreover the FFF strengthens linkages between the local knowledge and experience and national and global agenda and initiatives.FFF looks in a holistic manner into links between forest ecosystem services poverty reduction food security and climate change impacts. It can be considered to be well in line with the integrated approach required by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Buil ding on the existing capacities in developing countries allows sustainable results. FFF is currently operational at country level in 10 countries: Bolivia Gambia Guatemala Kenya Liberia Myanmar Nepal Nicaragua Zambia and Vietnam. There are synergy effects that can be gained in countries where Finland also has bilateral development cooperation. Until now results in different countries have included: organising among small producers has contributed to higher producer prices; strengthened cooperation between t he producers and stakeholders; more women in leadership positions in producer organizations; realising functioning business plans; and achieving recognition of land rights for communities. FFF has also supported the process of preparation of the national p rograms in several countries and provided the opportunity for training and peer learning both at country and regional levels.FFF's overall performance is evaluated through a monitoring and learning framework. The mid-term evaluation which was carried out i n 2016 was very positive for the FFF. Finland's support to the FFF in 2016 is EUR 700 000.

General

United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is a legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management. The Convention aims to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought e specially in Africa. The Convention entered into force in 1996 and has currently 195 Parties. Finland ratifed the agreement in 1995.The Sessions of the Conference of the Parties (COP) are held on a biennial basis. The COP approves the budget of the Convent ion and the indicative scale of contributions to the core budget. The achievement of the UNCCD workplan objectives is dependent on voluntary support. The year 2014 is important for the UNCCD in preparing for the meetings for 2015 including the 3rd UNCCD sc ientific conference to be held in March 2015 and the COP 12 to be held in September 2015. The issues of combatting desertification and drought are also reflected in the global discussions on Post 2015 process as well as in the negotiations for a new global climate change agreement. The UNCCD Secretariat has made a proposal for the 2014 voluntary support by Finland. With the allocation of 400 000 euros Finland will support activies taken by the secretariat to enhance scientific knowledge on land-based adapta tion to organise the 3rd UNCCD scientific conference in Mexico in March 2015 to prepare a publication on drought to enhance rights-based approach to sustainable land management to prepare advocacy material on equitable access to land and to organise a Gend er Forum to be held at COP 12. In addition Finland will support developing country participation in the sessions of the COP and its subsidiary bodies. A significant part of Finland's previous support for the UNCCD has been targeted to regional coordination in developing countries and to support to developing country participation in the decision-making in the Convention processes. As a result the inclusion of the special needs of developing countries in the UNCCD negotiations has strengthened.