INTRODUCTION
SECTION I: BACKGROUND TO THE CONVENTION
Why was a convention to combat Desertification drawn up?
What is a convention?
What is Disertification?
Commitments within the convention
What is a national action programme
How should these national action programme be prepared ?
How steps will be followed ?
Who will implement national action programmes?
SECTION II: CARRYING OUT THE CONVENTION
1.How can NGOs raise awareness about the convention?
What is the convention and how will it work?
What is desertification and how can it be tackled?
The consultation process- what happens, and when
2. Preparation of NAPs to combat Desertification
Training -a key element
Policy issues- joint analysis and reflection
3. Implementing NAPs, Monitoring and Evaluation
Field level projects
encouraging collaboration
setting the NGO contribution within a wider context
Monitoring and evaluation
fundraising
SECTION III: GETTING STARTED
suggested action points
Addresses and details of whom to contact

The purpose of this Guide is to describe the main elements within the Convention to Combat Desertification and to explain their importance for different people and organisations working in drylands development. It is aimed in particular at the many NGO's involved in community-level activity in countries suffering from desertification or dryland degradation