Context

The international "4 per 1000" Initiative 'Soils for Food Security and Climate' was launched in 2015 at the UNFCCC COP 21 in Paris. In 2020, it developed and adopted its strategic plan. It includes 24 objectives with clearly defined targets for 2030 and 2050, contributing to 6 goals to strengthen the different phases of the transformation continuum.

For each objective, a Task Force (TF) was established. The primary goal of the Task Forces is to develop a catalog of coordinated actions and projects that represent compelling investment opportunities, which will be brought to the attention of decision-makers and funders in the public and private sectors through the "4 per 1000" initiative.

To start the process, 126 task force experts participated in a systematic global consultation process in 2020 and 2021 to develop an implementation strategy for each objective. First, they specified the underlying problem of each objectiv, its consequences, and its causes. In the second step, they reached a consensus on the activities that need to be invested in, the obstacles that need to be overcome, and the critical success factors that need to be considered to achieve the objectives. The resulting strategy document serves as a global framework for coordinated actions and projects to achieve the "4 per 1000" vision for 2050: "Globally healthy and carbon-rich soils to combat climate change and end hunger."

From now on, task forces will focus on implementation.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Strategy Implementation Cycle (SIC) is to systematically assist Initiative partners in planning and searching for funds for projects and activities that contribute to the goals of the "4 per 1000" strategy. Under the leadership of Task Force Leaders (TFL) and Regional Representatives (TFRR), they will develop project ideas and work in project teams to forge alliances and partnerships for project development and facilitate access to funding.

The "4 per 1000" Executive Secretariat will support and monitor this process. Responsibility for the resulting actions and projects rests solely on implementing alliances and partnerships.

The secondary purpose of the Strategy Implementation Cycle (SIC) is to provide an overview of relevant ongoing activities and gaps to facilitate the coordination of investments by funding agencies and governments while demonstrating progress in implementing the strategy.

Process

Before the Strategy Implementation Cycle (SIC) starts, the Executive Secretariat will Consolidate the Task Forces to allow for decentralized management of activities.

The annual cycle includes six steps:

I. Stocktaking & Planning: Inventory current projects, activities and associated sponsors, analyze gaps and plan task force activities.

II. Ideation & Team Building: Develop project ideas and form project teams to address gaps. 

III. Project Conception: Develop concise project concepts of 2 to 3 pages using a standard template highlighting the project’s relevance to strategic objectives.

IV. Scouting for Funding: Present project concepts to decision makers, as investment opportunities, and to funding institutions to foster project teams to submit a full project proposal or to direct them to appropriate funding programs.

V. Securing Funding: Prepare and submit a complete project proposal following funder guidelines.

VI. Implementation: Project implementation

The Executive Secretariat Supports & Monitors progress throughout the cycle.

Activities, actors, and responsibilities

Step#ActivitiesPurpose / DescriptionOutputExecutive SecretariatSTCBureauTask Force Leader & Regional representativeProject Team leadersTiming
Consolidate Task Forces (TF)

1

Call for joining Task Forces (TF)

The Executive Secretariat (ExSec) asks Task Force Members (TFM) to review their membership and encourages all other members to join them. When joining, partners indicate their preferred role (Task Force Leader (TFL); Task Force Regional Representative (TFRR); ordinary Task Force Member (TFM)) and provide information about their relevant expertise and experience. The STC will review which member will take on the Role of Scientific Advisor for which Task Force.

  • Consolidated list of Task Force Members with a link to their personal and organizational profiles.
  • List of Task Force Leaders and Regional Representatives aspirants
  • Adjust the 24 Task Force registration forms
  • Prepare all the documents
  • Launch the call "4p1000 Join our Task Forces"
  • Update the list of TF Members according to feedback (e.g., A1-Members)
  • Adjust the group settings of TF Members on the collaborative platform
  • Review which member will take on the Role of Scientific Advisor for which Task Force.



September 2022
2Nominate TF Leaders (TFL) and Regional Representatives (TFRR)

The ExSec will ask Task Force Leader candidates and TF Regional Representatives to

a) update their profiles,

b) list critical global and regional players, and

c) explain why they believe they are qualified for the role.

The ExSec will use the feedback to propose TFLs and TFRRs for each Task Force for approval by the Bureau.

  • Updated profiles of TFL and TFRR aspirants
  • Official List of Task Force Leaders and Regional Representatives
  • Overview of relevant regional and global players
  • Prepare documents and forms
  • Launch call
  • Evaluate feedback
  • Elaborate on a list of people to be nominated
  • Publish the list of nominated TFLs and TFRRs
  • Adjust the group settings of TFL and TFRR on the collaborative platform

  • Validate the list and officially nominated TFLs and TFRRs


November 2022
(after COP27)
31st Task Force Leaders MeetingTask Force Leaders will be briefed regarding their roles and responsibilities and the structure and expected outcome of the SIC.
  • Agreement on the modalities for the management of the SIC
  • Empowered Task Force Leaders and Regional Representatives
  • A tentative agenda for the TF meetings
  • List of expected results
  • Present and discuss the SIC (procedure, outputs/deliverables, modalities ...)
  • Propose an agenda for the TF Meetings
  • Share results with TF members
  • Publish SIC Strategy Implementation Cycle
  • Provide templates to facilitate documentation by Task Forces
  • Give impulse to individual meetings between TFL and TFRR
  • Present concept note template and tips/rules for project development

  • Validation of SIC
  • Participate in the TFL Meeting
  • Elaborate on an action plan for subsequent activities with TFRR

December 2022
(after COP27)

I. Stocktaking & Planning4Planning of Task Force activities

The TFLs exchange and meet virtually with the TFRR to share the results of the TFL planning meeting (see activity 3) and review the implementation strategy and list of members.

Together, they draft a TF-specific action plan that includes (a) a brief description of the general approach explaining how the TF will be organized to achieve the 2030 and 2050 targets, (b) a list of indicators, and an overview of the modalities for monitoring progress, and (c) a work plan for the first cycle indicating TFL and TFRR responsibilities for successful execution of subsequent activities.

  • Draft approach for reaching the objective
  • Propose a roadmap for reaching the targets 2030 and 2050
  • Task Force specific Action Plan baseline
  • List of indicators for tracking progress
  • Provide an action plan template on the wiki
  • Review the implementation strategy and propose indicators for tracking progress

  • The TFL shares information with the TFRR and organizes a TF planning meeting
  • TFL & TFRR meet to develop a Task Force-specific action plan
  • Elaborate on a list of appropriate indicators for monitoring progress

December 2022
5Inventory of project and sponsors

Based on the information resulting from activities 1 and 2, the TFL and TFRR will exchange with their members to compile information on relevant past and ongoing activities (title, region, sponsor, ...).

  • Baseline about relevant activities and sponsors (1st cycle)
  • Progress reports about relevant activities and sponsors (2nd cycle and following)
  • Provide a simple online form for creating a list with essential information about past and ongoing projects/activities (name, owner, URL, supporting institution, ...)


  • Exchange with TF Members and compile information about ongoing activities and sponsors on the wiki

November 2022 - January 2023
II. Ideation & Team Building6Task Forces meeting(s)

The Task Forces hold one or more meetings to review the status (implementation strategy, list of past and ongoing projects, funding opportunities, ...), identify gaps, exchange project ideas, and form Project Teams. A single idea may lead to forming several Project Teams covering different regions or thematic areas that are part of concerted action. This might be an option for more significant actions requiring the support of multiple donors.

  • Report(s) of the TF meeting(s)
  • Gaps analysis
  • List of project ideas and corresponding teams
  • Provide templates facilitating systematic reporting


  • Invite TF Members to join the meeting
  • Moderate the meeting
  • Present results of stocktaking & planning
  • Analise gaps
  • Discussion to gather project ideas
  • Formation of Project Teams
  • Prepare minutes of the meeting and share them with the ExSec

February to May 2023
III. Project Conception

7Project Team meetingThe Project Team meets to start completing the 4p1000 - Project Concept Note Template and to define an action plan for the completion.
  • List of draft concept notes
  • Action plans for concept note completion
  • Meeting reports
  • Provide a concept note template on the wiki for the various project teams and ensure correct permission settings
  • Provide a technical help desk to assist Project Teams
  • Follow up with TFL to monitor progress


  • Assist Project Team Leaders
  • If required, help find suitable partners to complete the Project Teams
March to August 2023
8

Complete project concept notesMembers of the Project Team complete the 4p1000 - Project Concept Note Template
  • Completed concept notes



  • Check concept notes of different Task Forces and identify potential overlaps/synergies and accordingly connect Project Teams
  • Coordinate completion of project concept notes with project partners
May to August 2023
92nd Task Force Leaders MeetingEvaluate progress and prepare a list of concept notes for the assessment by the STC and validation of the bureau
  • Batch of concept notes
  • report on progress
  • Organize the meeting
  • Elaborate on a meeting report


  • Report on progress (present list of concept notes and teams)

June to July 2023
IV. Scouting for funding

10

Assess the relevance of concept notes

Verify the relevance of the project for the Initiative's strategy and the quality and completeness of the concept note
  • Letter of support for relevant and validated concept notes
  • Organize the assessment
  • Organize the validation
  • Issue letters of support to Project Team Leaders
  • Assess the relevance of concept notes

  • Validate relevant concept notes

September 2023
11

Search and advocate for financial support

Exchange of concept papers with funding bodies (call for investment interest). The aim is to get an expression of interest to invest and to convince funding bodies to request the submission of a complete proposal following their guidelines.
  • Expression of interest and call for the submission of a full proposal by funding / supporting agency
  • Support in the identification of funding opportunities


  • Help to convince donors to invest in Project Teams

June to November 2023
123rd Task Force Leaders MeetingEvaluate progress and formulate recommendations for improvement of the SIC
  • Report on progress
  • Recommendations for improvement of the SIC
  • Organize meeting
  • Report about progress at the 7th "4p1000" Day / COP28 in 2023


  • Report on progress
  • Share experience and ideas for improvement

announce at COP 28 / 4p1000 Day
V. Securing funding13Develop and submit a full proposalPreparation of full proposals following the guidelines of the funding agencies.
  • Submission of full project proposals




  • Liaise with donors
  • Develop and submit a full proposal with Project Team
July to December 2023
VI. Implementation 14Implement projectsProjects that work toward the objectives of the strategy are implemented
  • Implemented projects




  • Implement projects
Permanent
Support & Monitoring 15SupportExchange regularly with TFL and TFRR and assist them if required
  • Task Forces are successful
  • Assist Task Forces




Permanent
16MonitoringDocument progress and prepare an annual progress report on the SIC and the projects that are underway and ongoing. How far have they progressed? To what extent do they contribute to achieving the strategic objectives? 
  • Annual progress report
  • Monitor progress
  • Prepare the annual report


  • Provide an annual TF progress report
  • Report on progress at the 4p1000 Day
  • Report back to TFL
Permanent

4 Comments

  1. Paul Luu

    Thank you Marc.

    The version 2 of the cycle is the best for me.

  2. Samuel Ottnad

    Thanks Marc!

    The BLE team also prefers version 2.

  3. Julia Klemme

    Hello Everybody, we were wondering: Should we define for how long the team leader has his role and when and how, a change takes place? That might be an information we should include before sending out the communication about joining the TF. 

    Also, we started writing ToR some time ago, but during the process we ended up with SIC. Does it make sense to create a page with ToR also or do you think everything is included in the SIC? 

    Best wishes from the Bonn Team (smile)

  4. Omer Jadis

    Bonjour chers collègues, nous sommes heureux intéressé de cette bonne initiative , travaillons ensemble pour protéger le sol et Lutte contre le changement climatique