UN Agency Gives USD 395,000 to 39 Land Restoration Projects Worldwide

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

In a decisive step to reverse land degradation, 39 land restoration projects led by grassroots organisations have been awarded USD 395,000 through the inaugural Small Grants Programme of the G20 Global Land Initiative (GLI), a flagship initiative of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

Drawn from 22 countries, the winning projects were selected for their innovation, impact and sustainability. Over 650 organisations from more than 100 countries applied for the award. The winners were selected following three rounds of review by separate UNCCD staff teams, with varied expertise in land management and restoration.

Awardees will receive between US$5,000 and US$15,000 to fund grassroots efforts that boost local economies, improve food and water security and strengthen ecosystem resilience. 

The announcement was livestreamed at an event showcasing the grant winners. 

The Small Grants Programme is an important tool for achieving the G20 GLI’s mission of reducing degraded land by 50 percent by 2040.

Speaking during the award ceremony, Director of the G20 Global Land Initiative, Dr. Muralee Thummarukudy, said: “We are aware that these big numbers, cannot be achieved by small initiatives alone.

“Yet, we feel, it is important that tens of thousands of small actors, engaged in land restoration around the world, be supported, promoted and recognized.”

Special priority was given to organisations accredited to UNCCD and to projects empowering Indigenous Peoples, youth, women and the elderly.

The programme was set up in 2024 to support community-level non-profit organisations worldwide. According to a statement, by directly supporting civil society and grassroot actors, these grants will generate measurable progress across global restoration priorities, such as soil fertility enhancement, forest regeneration, sustainable agriculture, agroecology and ecosystem-based adaptation.

The statement added that beyond      reclaiming  land,  the  projects  are  enhancing  livelihoods, strengthening  community climate resilience, and fostering social enterprise and eco-preneurship.

“When we do these small grants program, it is not just about the grant. It’s about the network which we create and the visibility it provides – both for those within it and those outside who can benefit from their knowledge and experience,” Thummarukudy added. 

Three of the highest-scoring projects were showcased at the UNCCD Conference of the Parties held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in December 2024, to highlight their potential for scaling and replication across regions. 

The statement also revealed that winners will also be showcased at select high-level events in the future, stating that the G20 GLI is committed to inclusive and continuous engagement, and is exploring future collaboration opportunities for the applicants not selected in this round.

Stressing that “this is just the beginning, this will be an annual process, the next cohort is about to start,” Dr Thummarukudy invited community organisations doing land restoration to apply to join the network because both “big and small” [efforts] are important.

He noted that the second  call  for  applications  will  open  in  2025  with  increased  fundng  and expanded support for grassroots restoration efforts worldwide.

Innovative  community led  restoration  initiatives  are  essential  for  creating  green  jobs, especially for youth and women. The awards provide support that can transform restoration into a catalyst for economic opportunity and sustainable environmental management.

Examples of selected 2024 grantees include:  Legacy of War Foundation (Rwanda), which will restore six hectares of degraded soil while empowering  90  women  as  landowners  of  fully organic cooperative  farms.  By  integrating climate-smart  and  artisanal farming methods, the project aims  to improve soil fertility and agricultural resilience in post-conflict rural communities.

Up2Green Foundation (India) is restoring mangroves and riverbanks in Tamil Nadu, India. The project is reforesting 60 hectares and planting 15,000 fruit trees, enhancing biodiversity, strengthening coastal resilience for flood prevention, and training local communities in sustainable agroforestry practices.

Sustainability  and  Environmental  Studies  Endeavor  (Nepal) is  working  to  restore ecological  balance along the mythological  Nagaraj Trail. By  revitalizing  degraded  farms, wetlands and forests using nature-based solutions, the project promotes nature-inclusive agriculture and convivial conservation approaches.

The G20 Global Land Initiative was launched in 2020 under the Saudi G20 Presidency. Hosted by the UNCCD, its ambition is to reduce degraded land by 50 percent by 2040. By showcasing land restoration, empowering civil society, engaging the private sector and building capacity, G20 GLI is driving restoration to scale and energizing a restoration economy. The Small Grants Programme is a key component of this vision, empowering civil society to restore degraded lands and promote sustainable land management at scale.