The concept of Integrated Financing Strategies (IFS) was developed by the Global Mechanism (GM) of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in 2005 – 2006 as a response to the international call for better coordination between governmental institutions in developing countries, civil society, the private sector as well as the bilateral and multilateral development partners as a means to increase financial resources at the country level.  

The goals of the UNCCD are geared at sustainable land management and land rehabilitation and, therefore, are positioned at the interface between rural development, sustainable livelihoods, food security and economic growth. These goals thus call for cross-sectoral coordination and mutual agenda setting by all relevant actors and institutions

In keeping with the principles of the OECD Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness (2005), the IFS concept was designed as a process-oriented approach to guide resource mobilization efforts within the context of national development planning and programming.

New and additional financing instruments and sources of finance are now available for adapting to climate change and mitigating emissions, as documented in the nationally determined contributions (NDCs) of the UNFCCC Paris Agreement. Climate resilience through sustainable land management is a major driving force for enhanced investments in UNCCD priorities. In order to meet the NDCs, it is paramount to establish sustainable land management in agriculture and forestry as development priorities in fighting climate change. The IFS, with all its facets, responds directly to that challenge in development agenda setting. As blended finance needs to be complemented by a related bundle of progressive policies, the IFS concept also provides interesting guidance in this regard.

This webpage seeks to share useful references for those involved and interested in advancing innovative financing approaches in support of development priorities that need a coordinated agenda setting, institutional collaboration and blended finance for effective national programming and budgeting. Are notably included: an overview of the IFS concept; a practical guide to designing IFS; a results-based impact assessment methodology; and examples of country-specific IFS.

Further to making the IFS material once again available to the international development community, this page is also a testimony of the successful partnership between the Global Mechanism of the UNCCD and Unisféra in developing progressive instruments on the quest for sustainability.

Marc Paquin, CEO, UNISFERA

Christian Mersmann, Former Managing Director, Global Mechanism