Accelerating action for resilient dryland forests and livelihoods
Dryland forests and trees support livelihoods, food security and resilience across some of the world’s most vulnerable landscapes. Yet they remain under-recognized in policy and investment, while many successful approaches to their sustainable management and restoration struggle to move beyond individual projects.
The Dryland Forest Support Accelerator (DFSA) is an FAO-anchored, country-driven mechanism designed to help countries scale action for dryland forests and agrosilvopastoral systems.
Building on FAO’s experience, partnerships, tools and approaches – including the work of the COFO Working Group on Dryland Forests and Agrosilvopastoral Systems (COFO-WG) and experience gained through the GEF-7 Dryland Sustainable Landscapes Impact Program (DSL-IP) – the DFSA connects evidence, technical support, investment and learning to help countries take proven solutions to scale.
Bridging policy, finance and knowledge gaps
Countries already have considerable knowledge and experience on how to sustainably manage, restore and protect dryland forests. However, progress is often constrained by interconnected policy, finance and knowledge gaps.
Dryland forests are not always sufficiently reflected in national policies, strategies and commitments related to forests, climate, biodiversity, land degradation and food systems. Investment also remains fragmented and often project-based, while many countries face challenges in developing investment-ready programmes and accessing appropriate sources of finance.
At the same time, successful approaches, tools and lessons already exist, but they are not always systematically shared, adapted or scaled across countries and regions.
The DFSA is designed to bridge these gaps by connecting country priorities with technical expertise, financing opportunities and knowledge exchange.
From evidence to action: Collect, Act, Track
The DFSA follows a simple pathway from evidence to implementation and results
COLLECT – Build the evidence for action
The Accelerator supports countries in strengthening data, assessments and knowledge on the extent, condition and trends of dryland forests and landscapes. Better evidence helps identify priorities, strengthen planning and direct resources where they can have the greatest impact.
ACT – Turn knowledge into implementation
The DFSA supports countries to apply and scale proven approaches for sustainable forest and land management, restoration, institutional strengthening, sustainable value chains and investment. It connects countries with technical expertise, tools, partnerships and financing opportunities so that successful approaches can move beyond individual projects.
TRACK – Measure progress and learn from results
The Accelerator strengthens monitoring, learning and knowledge exchange to understand what works, where and under which conditions. Results and lessons can then inform national planning, investment decisions and regional and global processes.
SCALE – Move from successful approaches to systemic impact
The Accelerator helps countries scale proven approaches across landscapes and regions, moving beyond individual projects towards sustained impact. It strengthens policy integration, institutional coordination and cooperation, while linking successful approaches with long-term investment and national systems.
Across this pathway, countries can access tailored technical support, knowledge and exchange opportunities, as well as support to strengthen investment pipelines and connect national priorities with appropriate sources of public, concessional, catalytic and private finance.
Building on experience, scaling through partnerships
The DFSA does not start from zero. It builds on experience generated through the GEF-7 Dryland Sustainable Landscapes Impact Program (DSL-IP) and other FAO initiatives working on dryland forests, sustainable land management and resilient production systems.
These efforts have generated tools, networks and approaches in areas such as integrated landscape assessment and monitoring, sustainable forest and land management, sustainable value chains, capacity development, Regional Exchange Mechanisms, Communities of Practice, South-South cooperation and knowledge sharing.
The Accelerator provides a framework through which this experience can be adapted, expanded and embedded in longer-term country-led action.
Scaling action in drylands also requires collaboration. The DFSA brings together countries, technical organizations, financing partners, research institutions, civil society, producer organizations and the private sector around country-led priorities.
By connecting evidence, expertise, finance and implementation, the Accelerator aims to help successful approaches reach more landscapes and deliver lasting benefits for people, forests and ecosystems.
