Microfinance Focus, September 15, 2011: Developed by the Government with technical support from the Global Mechanism (GM), 'Ecuador’s Sustainable Land Management (SLM)-Climate Change (CC) Microfinance Strategy' has been published.

The strategy offers a comprehensive and sustainable approach to mobilizing fresh financial resources for SLM and climate change adaptation activities through Ecuador’s microfinance system.

It illustrates that microfinance schemes can support improved land management practices such as sustainable agriculture and pastoralism, restoration of degraded lands, diversification of agro forestry management, reforestation, and other activities benefiting the livelihoods of rural populations and ecosystems.

The Strategy also aims to build long-term capacities and national expertise on microfinance opportunities and procedures, which the GM is supporting through the organization of national-level workshops and multi-stakeholder platforms for key players from local government, research and extension institutions, civil society organizations and international cooperation partners.

The Global Mechanism is a subsidiary body of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).