Regional Exchange Mechanisms (REMs):
Driving Cohesion, Coordination, and Impact Across the DSL-IP
At the core of the Dryland Sustainable Landscapes Impact Program (DSL-IP) lies a strategic innovation: the Regional Exchange Mechanisms (REMs). These REMs serve as dynamic platforms that connect country-level projects to regional and global coordination efforts, ensuring that local actions resonate across borders and contribute to a unified global impact.
What are REMs?
REMs are regionally anchored platforms established to facilitate collaboration, knowledge exchange, and technical support among DSL-IP country projects. Three REMs have been created to reflect the program’s eco-regional clusters: the Miombo-Mopane landscapes in Southern Africa, the Savannas of East and West Africa, and the temperate grasslands and shrublands of Central Asia. Each REM is tailored to the specific ecological, socio-economic, and institutional contexts of its region, enabling targeted interventions and shared learning.
How do REMs work?
Functioning as the “extended arm” of the Global Coordination Project (GCP), REMs bridge the gap between country-level implementation and regional/global coordination. They operate through structured Communities of Practice (COPs), regional knowledge platforms, and thematic hubs that support technical assistance, capacity development, and stakeholder engagement. REMs are not standalone entities—they leverage existing regional platforms and networks, avoiding duplication and reinforcing ongoing efforts.
Transboundary challenges require transboundary solutions. REMs provide the institutional infrastructure for countries to collaborate on issues that cross borders—such as ecosystem restoration, forest management, and climate adaptation. They host joint planning sessions, facilitate data sharing, and support harmonized policy development.
REMs play a pivotal role in ensuring that country projects are effectively “docked” into the broader DSL-IP architecture. This docking process begins during project design and continues through implementation, aligning national priorities with regional strategies and global goals. Through REMs, country teams engage in structured consultations, harmonize methodologies, and co-develop solutions that reflect both local realities and regional imperatives.
REMs empower countries to prioritize investments by offering a regional lens on common challenges and opportunities. Through thematic exchanges—such as those focused on drought resilience, wildfire management, and sustainable value chains—REMs help countries identify high-impact interventions and align them with available funding streams.
Rather than reinventing the wheel, REMs build on existing regional initiatives and platforms. They integrate with programs like the SADC GGWI and the Maputo Declaration, ensuring that DSL-IP country projects benefit from established networks, technical expertise, and stakeholder engagement mechanisms.
REMs are designed to be inclusive and participatory. They amplify the voices of local communities, indigenous groups, women, and youth by embedding their experiences and lessons into regional and global narratives. Through newsletters, workshops, and digital platforms, REMs document and share stories of transformation, resilience, and innovation from the ground up.
Map displaying the three Regional Exchange Mechanisms of the DSL-IP.
Country Projects
Miombo and Mopane Woodlands
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Savannas of East and West Africa
Great Steppes of Central Asia
