Glossary
Activity
Actions taken or work performed through which inputs, such as funds, technical assistance and other types of resources are mobilized to produce specific outputs. Includes projects and programmes, cash transfers, deliveries of goods, training courses, research projects, debt relief operations and contributions to non-governmental organisations.
Source: OECD Development Assistance Committee, Glossary of Key Terms in Evaluation and Results Based Management, 2002. http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/29/21/2754804.pdf
Administrative unit
In the context of the PPS, this refers to the name of the administrative unit (i.e. district, province, region, etc.) that is targeted by a project, programme or initiative.
Area size
In the context of the PPS, this refers to the total area targeted by a project, programme or initiative, expressed in number of hectares.
Barrier
Any natural or human-induced factor that directly or indirectly impedes something.
Baseline
Point of reference against which measurements of an indicator are compared and changes monitored. The ideal baseline is the state of an indicator at an historical point in time, e.g. the value of an indicator at a set year.
Beneficiaries
The individuals, groups, or organizations, whether targeted or not, that benefit, directly or indirectly, from the development intervention.
Source: OECD Development Assistance Committee, Glossary of Key Terms in Evaluation and Results Based Management, 2002. http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/29/21/2754804.pdf
Beneficiary country/ Sub Region
Country(ies), subregion or region benefiting from a given project, programme or initiative.
Best practices
Measures, methods or activities that perform best or achieve the highest impact according to predefined criteria assessed through a validation process. In the context of the UNCCD, best practices are measures, methods or activities that are considered successful in terms of achieving desired outcomes (good performance) and contributing to expected impacts formulated in the 10-year strategic plan and framework to enhance the implementation of the Convention (The Strategy).
See also "practice" and "good practices".
Bilateral official development assistance (BODA)
Official development assistance provided by bilateral donors to aid recipient countries.
Civil society organizations (CSOs)
Organizations belonging to the following thematic constituencies: Environmental non-governmental organizations, Local government and municipal authorities, Indigenous people's organizations, Youth organizations, Research-oriented and independent non-governmental organizations, Business and industry non-governmental organizations, and Trade union nongovernmental organizations.
Commitment date
The date on which a financial commitment in support of a project, programme or other initiative has been formally approved by the funding source or extending organization.
Completion date
The date on which a project, programme or initiative has been completed or is expected to be completed. In the case of a financial commitment, the completion date refers to the date by which the funding was or is expected to be utilized by the recipient organization.
Component
A component is a specific area of investment within a project, programme or initiative. Components are usually described in project documents with a specific description, logical framework and assigned cost value.
Consolidated indicators (CONS)
Proposed consolidated indicators for the operational objectives of The Strategy.
Convention processes
At the field level: programmes and projects relating to desertification, land degradation and drought (DLDD). At the institutional level: meetings of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC), meetings of the COP, meetings at regional level, and processes relating to the Integrated Financing Strategy (IFS) (see below).
Cost-benefit analysis
A technique designed to determine the feasibility of a project or plan by quantifying its costs and benefits.
Source: Millennium Ecosystem Assessment - Current State & Trends Assessment Report
Currency
As per the Global Mechanism process, the currency amount is to be given in local currency. If a currency exchange is approximated, the date of the exchange rate needs to be given.
Data source
Name of institution owning the original data set.
Decisions and documents
Any decision directly or indirectly related to DLDD; any document containing declarations, conclusions and recommendations related to DLDD.
Driver
Any natural or human-induced factor that directly or indirectly causes a change in an ecosystem.
Source: Millennium Ecosystem Assessment - Current State & Trends Assessment Report
Duration
Duration, in the context of the SFA, means the time frame within which the available financing is expected to be utilized.
e-SMART
Criteria applied for the selection of UNCCD performance indicators and impact indicators for strategic objective 4. 'e-SMART' stands for economic - Specific - Measurable - Achievable - Relevant - Time-bound. Economic: The data and information required for the indicator are available at a reasonable cost. The cost is affordable and worthwhile. Specific: The indicator clearly and directly relates to the outcome. It is described without ambiguities. Parties have a common understanding of the indicator. Measurable: The indicator is preferably quantifiable and objectively verifiable. Parties have a common understanding of the ways of measuring the indicator. Achievable: The required data and information can actually be collected. Relevant: The indicator must provide information which is relevant to the process and its stakeholders. Time-bound: The indicator is time-referenced, and is thus able to reflect changes. It can be reported at the requested time.
Source: ICCD/CRIC(8)/5/Add.1
http://www.unccd.int/php/document2.php?ref=ICCD/CRIC(8)/5/Add.1
Executing agency(ies)
Organization(s) in charge of the execution of a project, programme or initiative. This may be a local, national, regional or international organization.
Expected or achieved results
In the context of the PPS, expected or achieved results refer to the products, capital goods and services which result from a project or programme. It may also include changes resulting from the project or programme's output which are relevant to the achievement of outcomes, such as the likely or achieved short-term and medium-term effects.
Source: OECD Development Assistance Committee, Glossary of Key Terms in Evaluation and Results Based Management, 2002. http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/29/21/2754804.pdf
Finalized
Approved by the respective governments or responsible authorities.
Formal education
Education provided in the system of schools, colleges, universities and other formal educational institutions that normally constitutes a continuous 'ladder' of full-time education for children and young people, generally beginning at age five to seven and continuing up to 20 or 25 years old. In some countries, the upper parts of this 'ladder' are constituted by organized programmes of joint part-time employment and part-time participation in the regular school and university system: such programmes have come to be known as the 'dual system' or equivalent terms in these countries.
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics
http://www.uis.unesco.org/glossary/Term.aspx?name=Formal%20Education⟨=en&mode;=all
Funding Organization
An organization that has made a financial commitment or contribution in the reporting period.
Good practices
Measures, methods or activities that match a specific objective or are suitable for a specific natural and human environment.
See also "practice" and "best practices"
Grant
Financial transfers made in cash, goods or services where no repayment is required.
Gross domestic product (GDP), purchasing power parity (PPP)
GDP is the sum of gross value added by all resident producers in the economy plus any product taxes and minus any subsidies not included in the value of the products. It is calculated without making deductions for depreciation of fabricated assets or for depletion and degradation of natural resources. GDP, PPP is gross domestic product converted to international dollars using PPP rates. An international dollar has the same purchasing power over GDP as the US dollar has in the United States. Data are in constant or in current international dollars.
Source: Adapted from World Bank definitions
Identification code
Unique identification code (ID), number or acronym given to a project, programme or other initiative by the funding agency(ies).
Incentive
A tangible or intangible reward, financial or non-financial, meant to encourage a person or group to behave in a certain way, to do certain things, or to achieve certain goals.
Indicator
A measure, generally quantitative, used to illustrate complex phenomena in a simple manner. A 'quantitative indicator' is an indicator that has a numerical value (for example 'Number of...'). A 'qualitative indicator' is based on information requiring subjective evaluation or descriptive reporting (for example 'Type of incentives').
Indicator metadata
Information pertaining to the indicator describing the rationale for the selection of that indicator, the level of compliance of the indicator to the e-SMART criteria, the way to collect information (data needed, method of computation, unit of measurement, data sources), the geographical level of application of the indicator, and the reporting entities in charge.
Information and communication technology (ICT)
Forms of technology that are used to transmit, store, create, display, share or exchange information by electronic means. This broad definition of ICT includes such technologies as radio, television, video, DVD, telephone (both fixed line and mobile phones), satellite systems, computer and network hardware and software; as well as the equipment and services associated with these technologies, such as videoconferencing, e-mail and blogs.
Source: UNESCO website
http://www.unescobkk.org/education/ict/technologies
Information events
Events implying recordable attendance (meetings, workshops, seminars) and other events such as public debates, national/regional/ international campaigns, exhibitions, festivals and similar.
Initiative
An activity differing from a typical project or programme, and which has been funded within the reporting period (e.g. a publication, or the organization of an event). A new effort or concept aimed at developing a nurturing environment for a project or programme. Actions taken or work performed through which inputs such as funds, technical assistance and other types of resources are mobilized in order to produce specific outputs.
Integrated Financing Strategy (IFS)
Methodological framework aligned with the priorities of the affected country, and developed by the Global Mechanism to assist affected countries in their efforts to mobilize financial resources. Such strategies may be pursued by various donors/organizations within different approaches and/or frameworks. They can be developed as a tool for addressing institutional, environmental, socio-economic and financial constraints that hinder full UNCCD implementation within a country. Such an approach serves to address country priorities and tackles multiple factors within a chain of activities falling under one integrated and comprehensive umbrella programme. An accompanying set of new financing modalities, procedures and instruments has emerged within the IFSs.
Integrated investment framework
The integrated investment framework (IIF) combines the information on SLM priority investment needs and financing sources to identify potential gaps and synergies in priority investments and the related financing, to arrive with a comprehensive and representative cross-sectoral SLM investment framework which simultaneously mobilizes financing and seeks synergies for investment and financing activities.
The investment framework is defined by the government, with support from development partners. It is an agreement between the Government, development partners and, potentially, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the private sector to package investments from a blend of sources for implementing SLM programmes, including the NAP.
The aim is to catalyze investments in SLM from such sources as public expenditure at the national and local levels, private sector investments (including investment by farmers and communities) and funds from international development partners. The investment framework should not run parallel to national development processes, but be part of the country's overall resource allocation. It should include dedicated SLM budget lines in the various processes within the country's overall development planning and budgeting. The investment framework can be summarized in a document, outlining priority interventions, expected outcomes/outputs/activities, lead responsibilities, financial resources required, sources of funding available (on- and off-budget resources, including contributions from development partners) and financial delivery mechanisms.
Wherever possible, the development of an SLM investment framework should build on existing (national or sectoral) processes and frameworks. For example, if a country already has a comprehensive sector programme for forestry or rural development, it could be more effective to mainstream SLM principles into this programme rather than establishing a SLM-specific framework. The IIF will be updated regularly through an iterative process.
Joint Liaison Group (JLG)
It encompasses the secretariats of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the UNCCD and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It aims to enhance coordination between the three conventions, exploring options for cooperation and synergistic action.
Joint planning/ programming initiatives
Review of existing national plans to identify gaps in synergies; identification of relevant sector plans and policies that could benefit from cooperation on biodiversity, desertification and climate change; review of plans and policies, as appropriate, to enhance cooperation; build institutional and scientific capacity and raise awareness among different ministries, policy makers and non-governmental organizations dealing with the three Rio conventions and other relevant conventions.
Source: Adapted from UNEP/CBD/COP/DEC/IX/16, Annex II: indicative list of activities by Parties to promote synergies among the Rio Conventions
Knowledge- sharing system
A web-based system comprising structured information provided by diverse sources or a network facilitating knowledge-sharing among members, including the compilation of best practices and success stories.
Land use
The human use of a piece of land for a certain purpose.
Source: Millennium Ecosystem Assessment - Current State & Trends Assessment Report
Leveraging
The use of financial resources to increase the return on investments. Leverage is a factor by which a lever multiplies a force.
Loan
Financial transfer for which repayment is required.
Mainstreaming
This refers to the integration of adaptation objectives, strategies, policies, measures or operations such that they become part of the national and regional development policies, processes and budgets at all levels and stages.
Source: UNDP 2005. Adaptation Policy Frameworks (APF) for Climate Change: Developing Strategies, Policies and Measures
Media products
Press (articles, press releases), leaflets, flyers, brochures, comics, radio and television programmes (such as documentaries), and others.
Monitoring system
A system implying the systematic gathering, storing and processing of data in terms of analysis and vulnerability assessment.
Name of activity funded
Name or title of the activity, project, programme or initiative supported in the reporting period through a financial commitment.
National action programme (NAP)
Reference is to articles 10 and 11 of the UNCCD. NAPs shall be specific to DLDD as a commitment to the Convention. They shall also encompass strategies to fostering synergies with climate change adaptation/mitigation and biodiversity conservation.
National capacity self-assessment (NCSA)
Global programme funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), to enable countries to carry out a systematic assessment of their capacity needs to strengthen the management of national and global environmental issues, particularly with regard to the Rio conventions.
Source: GEF NCSA website
NFP
National focal point
Non-formal education
Refers to any organized and sustained educational activities that do not correspond exactly to the above definition of formal education. Non-formal education may take place both within and outside educational institutions, and may cater to persons of all ages. Depending on country contexts, it may cover educational programmes to impart adult literacy, basic education for out-of-school children, or life skills, work skills and general culture. Non-formal education programmes do not necessarily follow the 'ladder' system, may have varying durations, and may or may not confer certification of the learning achieved.
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics
http://www.uis.unesco.org/glossary/Term.aspx?name=Formal%20Education⟨=en&mode;=all
Official Development Assistance (ODA)
Grants or loans to countries and territories in Part I of the DAC List of Aid Recipients (developing countries) which are: (a) undertaken by the official sector; (b) with promotion of economic development and welfare as the main objective; (c) at concessional financial terms (if a loan, having a grant element of at least 25 per cent). In addition to financial flows, technical cooperation is included in aid. Grants, loans and credits for military purposes are excluded. Transfer payments to private individuals (e.g. pensions, reparations or insurance payouts) are in general not counted.
Source: Adapted from DAC Glossary
http://www.oecd.org/glossary/0,2586,en_2649_33721_1965693_1_1_1_1,00.html
Official document
A document is deemed official when it is publicly published in its final version by the institution concerned and/or is endorsed by the State, or published on the Internet or as hard copy.
Operational mechanisms for joint implementation or mutual reinforcement
The scheduling of periodic meetings between focal points and focal point teams. The establishment of a national coordinating committee for implementation of the three Rio Conventions including, as appropriate, mainstreaming into sustainable development strategies, the Millennium Development Goals and other relevant sectors and strategies.
Source: Adapted from UNEP/CBD/COP/DEC/IX/16, Annex II: indicative list of activities by Parties to promote synergies among the Rio Conventions
Operational objectives
Operational-level objectives defined in the context of The Strategy to guide the actions of all UNCCD stakeholders and partners in the short and medium term with a view to supporting the attainment of the 2008-2018 vision and strategic objectives. More specifically, The Strategy defines the following operational objectives:
Operational objective 1: To actively influence relevant international, national and local processes and actors in adequately addressing DLDD-related issues.
Operational objective 2: To support the creation of enabling environments for promoting solutions to combat desertification/land degradation and mitigate the effects of drought.
Operational objective 3: To become a global authority on scientific and technical knowledge desertification/land degradation and mitigation of the effects of drought.
Operational objective 4: To identify and address capacity-building needs to prevent and reverse desertification/land degradation and mitigate the effects of drought.
Operational objective 5: To mobilize and improve the targeting and coordination of national, bilateral and multilateral financial and technological resources in order to increase their impact and effectiveness.
Source: ICCD/COP(8)/16/Add.1
http://www.unccd.int/cop/officialdocs/cop8/pdf/16add1eng.pdf
Organization(s) in the programme/ project
The names of all national focal points, country desks, agency(ies) or organization(s) associated with the entire project/programme. These include civil society organizations (CSOs) and science and technology institutions (STIs) (see below).
Partnership agreement
Written agreement among partners spelling out the terms and conditions of the support to be provided to affected country Parties for UNCCD implementation.
Performance indicator
Quantitative (or qualitative) measure of the achievement of an outcome. Performance indicators compare actual conditions with a specific set of reference conditions. They measure the 'distance(s)' between the current situation and the desired situation (target).
Performance review and assessment of implementation system (PRAIS)
Framework for performance and implementation review of the Convention, of The Strategy and of the Convention's stakeholders.
Practice
Any measure, method or activity.
See also "good practices" and "best practices".
Programme
Set of interventions, marshalled to attain specific global, regional, country, or sector development objectives. A development program is a time bound intervention involving multiple activities that may cut across sectors, themes and/or geographic areas.
A programme typically consists of several projects.
Source: OECD Development Assistance Committee, Glossary of Key Terms in Evaluation and Results Based Management, 2002. http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/29/21/2754804.pdf
Programme and Project Sheet (PPS)
UNCCD reporting template designed to collect quantitative and qualitative information on individual projects and programmes relating to the implementation of the Convention and/or The Strategy.
Source: GM, Financial annex and programme and project sheet, 2009. ICCD/CRIC(8)/5/Add.4 http://unccd.int/php/document2.php?ref=ICCD/CRIC(8)/5/Add.4
Project
Individual development intervention designed to achieve specific objectives within specified resources and implementation schedules, often within the framework of a broader program.
Source: OECD Development Assistance Committee, Glossary of Key Terms in Evaluation and Results Based Management, 2002. http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/29/21/2754804.pdf
Project objectives
Objectives are the intended physical, financial, institutional, social, environmental or other development results to which a project or program is expected to contribute.
Source: OECD Development Assistance Committee, Glossary of Key Terms in Evaluation and Results Based Management, 2002. http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/29/21/2754804.pdf
Project proposals
In the context of CONS-O-17, those proposals submitted to an international funding entity which are in the pipeline, i.e. being assessed by the funding entity.
Proxy indicator
Indirect measure that approximates a phenomenon in the absence of a direct measure. It is also referred to as an 'indirect indicator'.
Recipient Country(ies) or Sub Region
Name(s) of the country(ies), subregion(s) or region(s) in which a project, programme or other initiative is taking place or due to take place in the reporting period.
Recipient organization(s)
Organization(s) to which funds have been or will be transferred in the reporting period within the framework of a financial commitment for the implementation of a given project, programme or other initiative.
Relevant Activity Codes (RACs)
Classification approach devised by the Global Mechanism, identifying activities that are typically put in place to combat DLDD. RACs are grouped under the following five clusters: Monitoring and research, Resource Management, Capacity Development and Planning, Risk management, and Emergency response.
Source: Global Mechanism, Relevant Activity Codes, 2009.
http://www.global-mechanism.org/news--events/news/updated-relevant-activity-codes-racs-for-unccd-reporting-released/
Relevant international forums
Venues where topics specifically addressing DLDD or issues related to DLDD are treated or should be treated. They include venues at regional and subregional level that have a role in the international context as well as scientific and academic forums internationally or regionally recognized.
Reporting Entity
Country Party to the UNCCD and/or any other organization accredited to the UNCCD which is submitting an official report on the implementation of the Convention and/or The Strategy.
Rio marker (RM)
Indicators developed by the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) in response to a request from the secretariats of the three "Rio Conventions" (the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the UNCCD) to identify aid activities targeting the objectives of the three Conventions.
Source: OECD Development Assistance Committee, Reporting Directives for the Creditor Reporting System, Addendum, 2002. DCD/DAC(2002)21/ADD http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/44/46/35646074.pdf and http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/16/53/1948102.pdf
Role of the organization
The description of the role of the organization(s)/agency(ies) in the project/programme.
Science and technology institutions (STIs)
Bodies dealing with science and technology, from either the private or the public sector, thus also including governmental institutions.
Source of funding
Organization(s) supporting financially a given project, programme or initiative.
Standard Financial Annex (SFA)
Financial reporting format of the UNCCD for listing all financial commitments made by reporting entities during the reporting period for initiatives they have financially supported at national and/or international level towards the implementation of the Convention.
Source: Global Mechanism, GM, Financial annex and programme and project sheet, 2009. ICCD/CRIC(8)/5/Add.4
http://unccd.int/php/document2.php?ref=ICCD/CRIC(8)/5/Add.4
Start date
The date on which a project, programme or initiative has started or is due to start. In the case of a financial commitment, the start date refers to the date on which funding has been or is expected to be made available to the recipient organization.
Status
In the context of the PPS, it refers to the status of a project, programme or initiative at the time of reporting. Valid entries for this field include pipeline (i.e. project/programme proposals that have been submitted for funding in the reporting period), ongoing (i.e. projects/programmes under implementation and in an active phase), completed (i.e. projects/programmes completed or terminated in the reporting period), or inactive (i.e. projects/programmes the implementation of which has been suspended).
Strategic objectives
Higher level objectives defined in the context of The Strategy to guide the actions of all UNCCD stakeholders and partners in the 2008-2018 decade. More specifically, The Strategy defines the following strategic objectives:
Strategic objective 1: To improve the living conditions of affected populations
Strategic objective 2: To improve the condition of affected ecosystems
Strategic objective 3: To generate global benefits through effective implementation of the UNCCD
Strategic objective 4: To mobilize resources to support implementation of the Convention through building effective partnerships between national and international actors
Source: ICCD/COP(8)/16/Add.1
http://www.unccd.int/cop/officialdocs/cop8/pdf/16add1eng.pdf
Successfully submitted proposals
In the context of CONS-O-17, those project proposals that have been approved by the international funding entity and are ongoing.
Sustainable land management (SLM) technology
An intervention at the field level (on cropland, grazing land, forest land, or other land) which maintains or enhances the productive capacity of the land in areas affected by or prone to degradation (including prevention or reduction of soil erosion, compaction and salinity; conservation or drainage of soil water; maintenance or improvement of soil fertility, etc.). A technology consists of one or more measures belonging to the following categories: agronomic measures (e.g. intercropping, contour cultivation, mulching), vegetative measures (e.g. tree planting, hedge barriers, grass strips), structural measures (e.g. graded banks or bunds, level bench terrace), management measures (e.g. land use change, area closure, rotational grazing).
Target
A quantitative value usually referring to international policy objectives. Often, the target has a time deadline that should be met. Targets express 'desired situations'. Targets refer to various geographical levels: targets at country level (i.e. national targets) contribute to achieving the overall targets set at the global level.
Target groups
The specific individuals or organizations for whose benefit the development intervention is undertaken.
Source: OECD Development Assistance Committee, Glossary of Key Terms in Evaluation and Results Based Management, 2002.
http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/29/21/2754804.pdf
Technical support
Physical aid (material aid - machines, hardware or software) and knowledge aid (technical assistance or know-how).
Tenure
Property rights. The right to specific uses of ecosystems and their services.
Source: Adapted from Millennium Ecosystem Assessment - Current State & Trends Assessment Report
Term/concept
Definition
Title
Name of a programme or project either in the pipeline (i.e. proposal submitted for financing), under implementation or completed within the reporting period.
Type of funding
The type of funding provided in support of a project, programme or initiative within the reporting period. Examples of funding types include grants, concessional loans, commercial loans, basket funding, sectoral support, debt swap, equity, etc.
Vulnerability
Exposure to contingencies and stress, and the difficulty in coping with them. Three major dimensions of vulnerability are involved: exposure to stresses, perturbations, and shocks; the sensitivity of people, places, ecosystems, and species to the stress or perturbation, including their capacity to anticipate and cope with the stress; and the resilience of the exposed people, places, ecosystems, and species in terms of their capacity to absorb shocks and perturbations while maintaining function.
Source: Millennium Ecosystem Assessment - Current State & Trends Assessment Report
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