Rural development is frequently influenced by political, social and economic reform processes at a higher level: decentralization, devolution of executive functions to civil society and the private sector, land restitution or privatization, to name but a few. In a similar way, international initiatives and multilateral regimes – such as the International Arrangement on Forests (IAF) or various forest-related multilateral environmental agreements – increasingly impact upon national policies and governance.

Governments face the challenge to adapt their policies, divise new roles, responsibilities and budgets to decentral administrations, provide legal security and integrate new service providers from the private sector, in a global market context. UNCCD, UNCBD and UNFCCC have provided a frame for national policy-making processes. Yet such processes can only be successful if coherent action is taken at all levels of intervention – from decision-making at the national level down to the formulation of village development plans, with due participation of all relevant stakeholders.

Through its subsidiary branch ECO Strat the ECO CONSULTING GROUP provides advice particularly in the field of sustainable land management in the context of the international environmental conventions and other initiatives of the post-Rio process.

ECO Strat renders assistance to:

• the formulation of coherent strategies and action programmes and their implementation planning;
• the participation of all relevant stakeholders in this process (including NGOs);
• the mobilization of resources for land management through mainstreaming into relevant development initiatives;
• the use of existing experience in the process of mainstreaming land management at all levels.

Planning nature reserves, Russia

Local planning, Tadjikisztan

Your contact:
Günter H. Winkler