Beyond Training: Building a Stronger Civil Society to Finance and Scale Landscape Restoration through the CS4LDN Project

August 1, 2026 - 00:01

Throughout July, the CS4LDN project brought together civil society groups from Africa, Asia, and Latin America in a series of three workshops focused on moving landscape restoration from paper to practice. The sessions were designed to move beyond simple training, targeting the practical skills needed to secure finance and build lasting partnerships.

A central theme was helping organisations speak the language of investors. Participants worked on developing bankable project proposals and understanding how to structure financial models that appeal to both public and private funders. The workshops also stressed the importance of forming coalitions, not just between NGOs, but with government agencies and the broader UNCCD network. The goal is to create a unified front that can push restoration agendas forward at the national level.

Organisers noted that while technical knowledge about restoration is widespread, the capacity to scale projects often lags behind. By strengthening the institutional muscle of civil society, the project aims to close that gap. The hope is that these organisations will return home with clearer strategies for influencing policy and unlocking the capital required to turn degraded land into productive, healthy ecosystems. The initiative signals a growing recognition that lasting change depends as much on financial acumen and political collaboration as it does on planting trees.