Soil Erosion &
Desertification in Malta:
resource mobilisation
and cooperation
Committee for the Review of the Implementation of
the Convention 11th – 22nd November 2002
Rome, Italy
Malta, CRIC (1) UNCCD 2002 Slide 1
Desertification in Malta – a
multisectoral issue
• Malta is a small island state which is
affected by desertification processes
• About 80% of arable land is terraced with
dry rubble walls requiring expensive
maintenance.
• Soil erosion, land degradation and
preservation of rubble walls are closely
interlinked processes
Malta, CRIC (1) UNCCD 2002 Slide 2
Desertification in Malta – a
multisectoral issue
• Urbanisation and road
construction negatively
affects contiguous fields.
• Farmers compete with
national water company for
irrigation water from
aquifers.
• Rural landscapes are also
tourist resources.
• Eroded soil is transported
by stormwater onto dive
sites and bathing areas.
Malta, CRIC (1) UNCCD 2002 Slide 3
Problems with Funding
• Malta does not qualify for a number
of environmental funds, e.g. GEF.
• Need to increase profile of land
degradation/desertification in
National agenda.
• Much of the cost of land degradation
is borne by farmers and does not
appear in national financial
estimates.
Malta, CRIC (1) UNCCD 2002 Slide 4
Funding sources
• National
– Dept. of Agriculture
– Malta Tourism Authority
– Malta Environment & Planning Authority
– Private sector
• International
– EU LIFE/SMAP
– UNEP/MAP
– Bilateral/multilateral cooperation
Malta, CRIC (1) UNCCD 2002 Slide 5
Addressing the Problem of Funding (1)
• Ratification of UNCCD
provided rationale for
some domestic resources
– E.g. National Awareness
Seminar June 1998
(supported by UNCCD
Secretariat)
• From external and
bilateral cooperation
– E.g. Qlejgha Valley Project
– Training courses on erosion
mapping
Malta, CRIC (1) UNCCD 2002 Slide 6
Addressing the Problem of Funding (2)
• Low costs/Non financial resource
mobilisation
– Academic research & student theses
– Inputs from stakeholders, NGOs, Farmers’
Cooperatives, Local Councils
– Increased awareness has permeated into
other publications, e.g. children’s
educational publications
Malta, CRIC (1) UNCCD 2002 Slide 7
Addressing the Problem of Funding (3)
MAP CAMP a • Land degradation/
desertification projects
case study in proved very difficult to
resource finance from established
mobilisation domestic budgets.
• The issue was, therefore,
addressed through an
integrated coastal area
management framework.
• This secured necessary
funds for the realisation of
a key pilot Project.
Malta, CRIC (1) UNCCD 2002 Slide 8
MAP CAMP domestic partners
Several National institutions involved providing
personnel, material, and financial resources:
–Environment Protection Department
–Department of Agriculture
–University of Malta
–Planning Authority
Malta, CRIC (1) UNCCD 2002 Slide 9
MAP CAMP international partners
MAP CAMP was also partially funded by:
MAP Priority Actions
Programme/Regional Activity
Centre (UNEP)
Provided technical
assistance and financial
support
Malta, CRIC (1) UNCCD 2002 Slide 10
MAP CAMP Structure
5 thematic activities 3 umbrella
activities
Sustainable coastal management
Data Management
Public Participatory Program
Analysis
Systemic Sustainability
Marine conservation areas
Integrated water resource
management
Soil erosion/ desertification
control management
Tourism and Health
Malta, CRIC (1) UNCCD 2002 Slide 11
CAMP: Thematic Map Outputs
Malta, CRIC (1) UNCCD 2002 Slide 12
CAMP: Thematic Map Outputs
Malta, CRIC (1) UNCCD 2002 Slide 13
MAP CAMP: value added
• The funding structure for
CAMP had some expected
benefits.
• The participating funding
agencies benefited from the
integrative input of the SE/D
project.
• SE/D thematic activity within
CAMP benefited from inputs
from the other thematic
activities.
Malta, CRIC (1) UNCCD 2002 Slide 14
Cooperative Funding - Benefits
• Secured funds through an integrated
programme.
• Respectability gained through CAMP
improves chances of securing international
funds for future projects.
• Excellent working relationship between
members of the working teams was an
added bonus.
Malta, CRIC (1) UNCCD 2002 Slide 15
Future Funding
• Funding is needed to
establish base-line data and
apply SE/D risk mapping to
other parts of Malta and the
island of Gozo.
• Mapping methodology was
adapted to suite island
conditions, therefore funding
is required to extend this
method to other island
countries and carry out joint
projects.
Malta, CRIC (1) UNCCD 2002 Slide 16