Approval for a second phase of the SARD-M Project (2008-2009)
On 29 November 2007, the SARD-M Project Steering Committee met at FAO headquarters to review the progress and results of the activities that had been conducted in 2007, discuss outcomes of the Third Adelboden Group Meeting held in Rome from 1-3 October and discuss on the possible activities for a second phase of the project. [more...]

Third Meeting of the Adelboden Group (1-3 October 2007, Rome, Italy)
The meeting culminated with the adoption of a Statement of the Adelboden Group on SARD-M, including commitments by the various stakeholders for the dissemination of SARD-M Project findings, networking and collaboration for the integration of the SARD-M approach. [more...]

First Meeting of the Carpathian Working Group on sustainable agriculture, rural development and forestry (9-10 July 2007, Vienna, Austria)
UNEP Vienna – Interim Secretariat of the Carpathian Convention in collaboration with the SARD-M Project is organising the First Meeting of the Carpathian Convention Working Group on sustainable agriculture, rural development and forestry. [more...]

Side-event: Decentralized Cooperation and Sustainable Mountain Development (20 June 2007, FAO, Rome, Italy)
During the 132nd Session of the FAO Council, a side event on “Decentralized Cooperation and Sustainable Mountain Development” was organized by FAO at the request of the Group of Latin America and Caribbean Countries (GRULAC). [more...]

SARD-M Project regional workshop: “Policies for sustainable rural development in the mountains of the Andes” (29-30 March 2007, Lima, Peru)
Organized in collaboration with the Global Mountain Program (GMP) of the CGIAR and CONDESAN, the SARD-M Project regional workshop in the Andes titled “Policies for sustainable rural development in the mountains of the Andes” was held at the Central Auditorium of the International Potato Centre (CIP) in Lima, Peru from 29-30 March 2007. [more...]

Towards a dissemination of SARD-M Project outputs through strategic mobilization of built-up social capital
The SARD-M Project Steering Committee met on 8 February 2007 at FAO headquarters and approved the project work plan and budget for 2007, the final year of the project. The project will implement follow-up activities related to the findings of the SARD-M policy assessments and disseminate the project outputs. The Third Meeting of the Adelboden Group will be an important step to define potentials for building on the momentum created by SARD-M Project activities. [more...]

Framework for a Rapid Assessment of Policies, Institutions and Processes for SARD in Mountain Regions
A practical guide on how to conduct a rapid assessment of SARD-M policies, institutions and processes, including examples of assessment processes and questionnaires utilized by the project partners is now available. [more...]

Interregional analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of policies, institutions and processes for SARD-M
This paper provides an interregional analysis of the major findings of rapid SARD-M policy assessments conducted in various region of the world. [more...]

Positive mountain externalities: valorisation through policies and markets
This discussion paper, aimed at policy actors who have to deal with immediate practical issues, identifies key issues and makes recommendations. [more...]

Country assessment reports on the strengths and weaknesses policies for SARD in the Hindu Kush-Himalayas and in the Andes
The Bhutan, China and Nepal country assessment reports for the Hindu Kush-Himalayas (HKH) as well as the Colombia, Ecuador and Peru country reports for the Andes are now available. They present the results of the assessments on the strengths and weaknesses of mountain policies, including social, economic, institutional and environmental aspects, in relation to SARD principles. [more...]

Country assessment reports on the strengths and weaknesses of policies for SARD in South Eastern Europe (Albania) and in the Carpathians (Serbia)
The Albania and Serbia country reports are now available. They present the results of the assessments on the strengths and weaknesses of mountain policies, including social, economic, institutional and environmental aspects, in relation to SARD principles. [more...]

Update of the databases on policy-related documentation and on organizations, programmes and projects
A collection of 203 documents (policy studies, partners’ experiences, case studies, etc.) related to SARD-M policy issues as well as updated information on 111 organizations, programmes and projects are now available. [more...]

Results of policy assessments on the strengths and weaknesses of mountain policies for SARD in the Mediterranean basin
The report presents the results of a multi-stakeholders survey coordinated by CIHEAM-IAM Bari in 2005 and 2006 for a preliminary assessment of the types of policies and policy packages, institutions and processes that are important to achieve SARD in Mediterranean mountain areas. [more...]

Policy assessments on the strengths and weaknesses of mountain policies for SARD: Lebanon and Morocco country reports
The Lebanon and Morocco country reports are now available [more...]

Results of policy assessments on the strengths and weaknesses of mountain policies for SARD in the Hindu Kush-Himalayas
A four-page information sheet presenting the main results of the SARD-M Project activities in the Hindu Kush-Himalayas (HKH) is now available. [more...]

Results of policy assessments on the strengths and weaknesses of mountain policies for SARD in the Hindu Kush-Himalayas
A brief summary on the SARD-M Project activities in the Hindu Kush-Himalayas (HKH) is now available. [more...]

Results of policy assessments on the strengths and weaknesses of policies for SARD in the Mediterranean basin
A four-page information sheet and a brief summary presenting the main results of the SARD-M Project activities in the Mediterranean basin mountains are now available. [more...]

Country assessment reports on the strengths and weaknesses policies for SARD in the Hindu Kush-Himalayas (India), Carpathians (Czech Republic, Poland) and South East Europe Mountains (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia)
Four more national assessments of the strengths and weaknesses of SARD-M policies, institutions and processes are now available for the following countries: India (Sikkim State), Czech Republic, Poland and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. [more...]

International Mountain Day 2007
Since 2003 the UN has designated 11 December as the International Mountain Day. In 2007 theme will focus on climate change: “Facing Change: Climate Change in Mountain Areas”. [more...]

Useful tools for potential funding sources: Global Plan of Action for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, and Mountain Partnership databases
Information on potential funding sources for activities in the field is available through databases developed by the Global Plan of Action for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (GPA) and the Mountain Partnership Secretariat. [more...]

UNEP-ISCC Vienna: side event on “Mountain Partnerships” (10 October 2007, Belgrade, Serbia)
The United Nations Environment Programme Vienna – Interim Secretariat of the Carpathian Convention is organizing a side event on “Mountain Partnerships” to be held on 10 October 2007 during the Sixth Ministerial Conference on "Environment for Europe". [more...]

Natural Resources Forum quarterly journal (UN-DESA): call for Papers 2007-2009 for a Special Series on CSD sessions 16 and 17 themes: Agriculture, Rural Development, Land, Drought, Desertification and Africa
The Natural Resources Forum, a quarterly journal issued by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), announces a call for papers for a special series over the 2007-2009 period. This series is focussing on inter-linked, multidisciplinary issues related to sustainable development with special attention paid to developing and in-transition countries. [more...]

FAO Seminar on “Quality Food Products Linked to Geographical Origin and Traditions in the Mediterranean” (8-9 November 2007, Casablanca, Morocco)
The Seminar is organized in collaboration with the Moroccan Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries. [more...]

Implementation of follow-up activities to the SARD-M policy assessments in the Mediterranean basin and the Hindu Kush-Himalayas (HKH)
With the aim of translating the findings of SARD-M policy assessments conducted so far in the Mediterranean basin and in the Hindu Kush-Himalayas (HKH) into concrete action on the ground, follow-up activities, identified by the regional and national stakeholders themselves, are currently being implemented. [more...]

Side-event “A Higher Priority for Mountain Activities” (14 March 2007, Rome, Italy)
On March 14, during the 18th FAO Committee of Forestry (COFO), the FAO Country Focus Group on Mountains organized a side-event on “A Higher Priority for Mountain Activities”. The aims were to share updated information on mountain development both inside and outside FAO and to highlight the need for continued political and financial commitment from member countries for mountain development. [more...]