Contributions by Major Groups of civil society are an important part of the SARD Initiative because they recognize that the expertise, resources, and skills of civil society have a critical role to play in implementing SARD and in achieving the Millennium Development Goals. This role is particularly important for reaching the world’s poorest and most marginalized peoples, for whom rapid and tangible improvements in social, economic and environmental well being are urgently needed and can only be accomplished if the key actors affected work together.

The collection of Civil Society contributions found on this page is, however, just a small subset of the many civil society ideas to achieve SARD, many of which remain invisible or unrealized due to linguistic, cultural and geophysical barriers, poor access to information, or gaps in capacities and technologies. These contributions were selected from a larger set on the basis of their relevance to the SARD Initiative themes (access to resources, good practices for SARD, fair conditions of employment), goals, activities, and mechanisms, their potential to demonstrate clear and measurable benefits for the poorest rural communities at country level, and the relevance and scope of the background, capacity, and experience of implementing partners.

We continue to collect Major Group contributions. Civil society groups wishing to report on and propose contributions are invited to contact the relevant Major Group focal point, the contact for which is available on our Stakeholders page.

Governments, UN Agencies, private foundations and others who are interested in funding or otherwise becoming involved in these efforts are invited to communicate directly with the appropriate contact person listed at the bottom of each sheet. For those interested in becoming involved in the SARD Initiative, please write to SARD-Initiative@fao.org.