The aim of the project is to develop an operational concept on "Best practices to combat desertification", on the basis of the application of an original conceptual framework derived from the SLIM research project (http://slim.open.ac.uk) to a number of case studies in the most vulnerable Italian regions (Sardinia, Sicily, Calabria, Basilicata and Puglia). The case studies are being selected together with the referees appointed by the National Committee to Combat Desertification of the Italian Ministry of Environment, Landscape and Sea. The emerging learning process of this interdisciplinary research team with the case study stakleholders involved in the analysis, is expected to result into operational guidelines for national or regional administration for the implementation of the UNCCD (www.unccd.int) in Italy.

Title and acronym: Best practices to combat desertification

Dates: from: 31 July 2009 to 15 November 2009

Location: Italy

Partnership: Italian Ministry of Environment, Territory and Sea NRD - UNISS

Source of Funding: Ministero dell'Ambiente e della Tutela del Territorio e del Mare (MATTM - Italian Ministry of Environment, Territory and Sea)

Role of NRD: author

NRD Scientific responsible: Prof Pier Paolo Roggero

NRD members and staff involved: Prof. P. P. Roggero, Dott.ssa G. Seddaiu, Dott. C. Zanolla, Dott. P. Pisanu, Dott.ssa S. Solinas

Keywords: best practice, desertification, evaluation.