The Convention to Combat Desertification
Swaziland National Action Programme

CONTENTS | SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION | SECTION 2: DESERTIFICATION IN SWAZILAND | SECTION 3: EXECUTION OF THE NAP PROCESS | SECTION 4: RESPONSES TO DESERTIFICATION | SECTION 5: SETTING THE PRIORITIES | SECTION 6: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL ACTION PROGRAMME | LIST OF REFERENCES AND ACRONYMS | LINKS

SECTION 3: EXECUTION OF THE NAP PROCESS

3.1 Introduction

This section specifies the process of the implementation of the NAP. Roles and responsibilities of role players in the execution of the NAP are stated. There is also a suggested format of project presentation and project approval criteria. Lastly, there is a section on funding of combating desertification projects and other activities.

3.2 NAP Execution Process

The basic principles of the NAP are founded on consultations and participation. Suggested here is a simple two - staged process for the execution of the NAP which ensures that the principles and priorities set in the First National Forum on Desertification are fulfilled.

3.2.1 The Consultative Stage

The consultative stage began with the appointment of the NSCD which is composed of representatives of the private sector, government departments, NGOs and the university. The NSCD together with the focal point has undertaken a series of activities towards the production of the NAP document. The activities include:

  1. awareness raising activities on the CCD,
  2. community and regional training workshops and meetings on issues pertaining to the NAP and
  3. National Forums on the NAP. This is an on-going process but implementation of the NAP will commence after the approval of the NAP document by Cabinet.

3.2.2 Participation and Execution Stage

This process commences after the NAP document has received Cabinet approval. Thereafter, prospective partners will be invited to make formal submissions of projects consistent with the proposed NAP programme areas. Projects will be submitted to the Steering committee for approval, funding and other kind of support which may include technical and training assistance. All sectors of the society, including all NGOs, government departments and agencies, associations, communities and individuals are free to submit projects . The project submission format is presented in section 3.5.

3.3 Specification of Roles and Responsibilities

The implementation of the NAP will involve a wide spectrum of stakeholders. The specification of roles and responsibilities is crucial to minimise confusion emanating from overlap and duplication of activities. This enhances efficient co-ordination of activities undertaken by the various stakeholders.

3.3.1 The NAP

The NAP proposes programmes for implementation under the CCD. These programmes also form part of the SEAP policy. Since the Convention to combat desertification is related to other conventions such as the CBD and FCCC, the NAP recognises the importance of other initiatives within the framework of the relevant conventions.

3.3.2 The National Steering Committee on Desertification (NSCD)

The responsibility of this committee is predominantly decision - making and influencing policy on desertification issues. Its major task is to facilitate and promote the formulation and submission of projects, and to oversee the implementation of projects by interested parties. The committee shall periodically, compile existing projects and suggest a menu of viable projects for execution. In addition, the committee may offer assistance, upon request by prospective partners, in the initiation and design of projects. Using a specified criteria, the Committee shall be responsible for the approval of projects submitted by participating stakeholders. The Committee shall not do any of the following without consultations with the participating partners:

  • Impose projects on stakeholders.
  • Decide on the agent responsible for the execution of projects
  • Decide on the time-frame for the execution of projects
  • Though the Committee may provide advise, it shall not decide on the budget and type of technology and other resources to be employed in the execution of the projects.
  • Decide on the site / location where the project would be executed.

3.3.3 Participating Partners and Stakeholders

This is a composition of all governmental and non-governmental agencies, NGOs, community groups and individuals interested in combating desertification. The participating partners and stakeholders shall initiate and design their own projects. They shall also be responsible for the execution of the projects once they have been approved. This is an independent exercise undertaken by the stakeholders using the participatory approach. They may solicit assistance from the Committee, but they are not obliged. Specified goals in their projects shall be based on needs and priorities and be in accordance with the overall goals of the CCD and the execution of the NAP.

3.3.4 Participating International Agencies

  • UNSO: Provides strategic guidance, technical backstopping, monitoring and reporting to donors for implementation of CCD activities.
  • UNDP: The country office is responsible for the management and administrative follow - up on project implementation, monitoring and reporting.
  • IFAD: Responsible for the Global Mechanism to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of existing financial resources in tackling desertification issues in affected developing countries.
  • UNEP: Co-operates with UNDP and the World Bank in the implementation of the Global Environment Facility. The Global Environment Facility provides grants and concessional funds to developing countries for projects and activities that aim at protecting the environment. UNEP also works jointly with UNSO on cross-cutting issues including information exchange and research.
  • CCD secretariat: Responsible for arranging sessions of the conference of the Parties. In addition, the secretariat has to compile and transmit reports and facilitate assistance to affected developing country Parties as well as co-ordinating all CCD activities.

3.3.5 The Focal Point / Secretariat / Co-ordination Unit

A co-ordination unit will be established and to serve as the secretariat and focal point for all CCD activities. This shall not be a one person responsibility as it was the case in the preparatory stages of the NAP. The Unit shall be composed of a Programme Manager (currently the focal point) and four Programme Officers (or Programme Assistant Managers). In the proposed structure the Unit will be an interface between prospective participants (stakeholders) mainly at community levels and the Steering committee and SEA at national level. This structure will avoid the creation of numerous ministerial or sectorial committees. The unit shall be accorded all the necessary facilities (including transport) and based preferably in the Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives, Land Use Section or within the SEA structure in the Ministry of Communications, Tourism and Environment. All officers of the Unit shall be full-time public servants with specific minimum qualifications as suggested below. At least one of the officers must be a female to facilitate strengthening of the role of women in the implementation of the convention.

The Programme Manager
  • Postgraduate degree in Soil Science, Environmental Science, Environmental Education, Land Use Planning, Physical Geography, Agricultural Engineering and any other relevant qualification
  • More than five years experience in Land utilisation, Land use Planning and Conservation
  • Must have been involved in CCD or Land Degradation activities
  • Possess a valid driver’s licence
  • The Programme Officers / Programme Assistant Managers
  • First degree preferably in Environmental Science, Land Use Planning , Geography or Sociology
  • Experience in working with communities and NGOs
  • Possess a valid driver’s licence

This unit shall co-ordinate the implementation of the NAP and provide continuity on long-term NAP programme activities. The Unit, shall on behalf of the NSCD, facilitate invitation and submission of projects from stakeholders. The officers shall periodically visit communities and organisations to monitor progress on the implementation of CCD projects and activities and to offer assistance and advise where needed. The Unit shall also liaise with relevant agencies, such as SADC ELMS and UNDP-UNSO for purposes of reporting, information sharing and other matters related to the implementation of CCD projects. The unit shall act as an information centre to facilitate collection and dissemination of information among the stakeholders. The specific roles of the officers are outlined below:

The Programme Manager

The officer shall work full-time on promoting the activities of the Convention with the following duties:

  • Execute recommendations of the NSCD
  • Be in charge of the Co-ordination Unit and liaise with other relevant institutions
  • Provide administrative support for the execution of the NAP
  • Be a secretary (non - voting) in all NSCD meetings
  • Make administrative decisions on behalf of the NSCD where mandated
  • Compile and present project proposal to the NSCD for decision making
  • Prepare and present reports to the NSCD on the performance of NAP programmes and activities
  • Issue invitation of project submission to all stakeholders on behalf of the NSCD
  • And any other duties that may be assigned by the NSCD in consultation with the SEA and other relevant departments
Assistant Programme Managers

These officers shall work on a full-time basis on CCD activities. They shall work closely with the Programme Manger who shall periodically delegate duties to them. They shall perform the following duties:

  • Assist the Manager in liaison with the stakeholders/ partners/communities
  • Offer assistance to stakeholders especially in the initiation and implementation of projects
  • Make regular visits to communities to monitor project implementation progress and other CCD activities
  • Present periodic reports to the Manager on the initiation, implementation and performance of projects by stakeholders
  • Collect and compile projects from stakeholders
  • Monitor and assess implementation of projects
  • Carry out duties to be assigned by the Manager periodically

3.4 Project initiation and submission procedure

A framework for project initiation shall not be suggested because project initiation is solely the prerogative of the stakeholders/prospective participants. The framework below, however, offers some guidelines on the submission of projects.

  • Stakeholders in consultation with affected communities identify desertification problems and design projects of their own choice, but consistent with the CCD programmes.
  • The Project Manager, on behalf of the NSCD, invites stakeholders to submit projects worthy of consideration.
  • The stakeholders then make formal submission of project proposals (see submission format in section 3.5) to Project Assistants for registration in the Co-ordination Unit.
  • The Project Manager compile the proposals and formally register and submit them to the NSCD for deliberations.
  • The NSCD, guided by specific criteria (section 3.6), select and approve projects deserving implementation.
  • Approved projects are then forwarded to relevant organisations and agencies (partners) for co-operation, funding and technical assistance.
  • The relevant agency/partner execute the project .
  • The co-operating agency/partner and the Co-ordination Unit, through the Project Assistants, monitor the implementation of projects and submit periodical progress reports for technical appraisal and evaluation.

3.5 Project submission format

It is important that projects are submitted in a uniform format. This allows for a consistent assessment by the NSCD when it comes to projects’ approval. The format includes the following items:

  • Name of the agency/organisation/individual and (contact) address
  • Project title / theme
  • Outline of aim and objects
  • The geographic position / location of the project
  • Identification of participating communities / villages or individuals in the execution of the work or activities
  • Plan of project activities
  • Material resources required
  • Execution / implementation time frame
  • Breakdown of required funds including other sources such as those generated locally by communities, participating partners and from potential donors

3.6 Project approval criteria

While the decision to approve or not to approve a project is the prerogative of the NSCD, it may however consider the following factors in its project proposals’ assessment:

  • Seriousness of the land degradation / desertification problem to be addressed
  • Feasibility of the project in terms of resource availability for implementation as well as its potential to address the identified problem
  • General acceptance of the project by the target population to facilitate its implementation
  • Contribution of the proposed project activities to socio - economic activities, particularly poverty alleviation
  • Consult with the criteria set out in Article 11 of SEAP vol.1

3.7 Renumeration and funding

The NAP is produced entirely to guide and ensure the successful implementation of the CCD in Swaziland. The execution of the NAP on long-term and sustainable basis requires the availability of funds not only to support the project initiatives but also to encourage and sustain the momentum of various role players towards the implementation of the CCD in the country. The NAP suggest the creation of a renumeration and funding facility for role players and projects within the NAP structure. These include the NSCD, the Co-ordination Unit, Community committees and individuals, and NGOs.

The NSCD

While this committee is representative of all stakeholders, it would be false to hope that their participation in committee deliberations would be sustained over a long time without renumerative incentives. A renumerative facility may have to be established on the lines of sitting allowances to encourage and sustain the momentum among the NSCD members irrespective of the parent organisation where they are drawn.

The Co-ordination Unit

Officers of the Unit shall work on full - time basis exclusively on activities related to combating desertification. Funds must be made available to pay their salaries consistent with government salary format. Sources of this line of funding may be solicited from co-operating international agencies such as the UNDP. The government may also establish this structure within an existing ministry or department and create the necessary posts and make budget arrangements.

Regional committees These are involved in the identification and execution of project activities which may include tree planting, stone collection, construction of embankments and many others. Regional committees have an important role to play in assisting communities to identify and execute project activities. They also play a pivotal role in ensuring the success of the NAP within their regions. A line of funding which can be easily incorporated into the entire project budget as personnel or technical costs needs to be explored to cater for the regional committees.

3.8 Potential sources of funding

UNDP-UNSO

Funds are currently available to finance the preparation of the NAP. This is covered in a memorandum of understanding between UNDP-UNSO and the Swaziland government. UNSO has made available US$ 250 000 to the government of Swaziland, through the UNDP, to support activities leading to the formulation of the NAP. The funds are aimed at capacity building for Community Based Organisations (CBOs) and NGOs. There is need to solicit funds for the implementation of activities under the Convention to Combat desertification. Government should commit herself to funding the activities.

National Desertification Fund (NDF) / National Environmental Fund (NEF)

The Convention recommends that signatory nations create a special fund to provide financial resources for combating desertification activities. The government of Swaziland is in a process of initiating a broad - based national environmental fund to deal with the entire environmental issues not desertification alone, as it is the case with the NDF. The NEF is preferred mainly to avoid excessive logistics and red tape associated with small separate funds serving more or less similar goals. Financing of the NEF would be derived from taxes imposed on commercial projects associated with environmental exploitation.

Private Sector Funding

The private sector recognises its responsibility in the overall development of the country including protection of its environment. However, its willingness to contribute to environment related funds is discouraged by past experiences where such noble funds were initiated only to be abandoned immediately. The private sector need government assurance and guarantee on survival of such a fund to encourage its effective contribution. Moreover, the private sector would like to have a say in the management of the fund.