From Degradation to Opportunity: The ELD Initiative Celebrates 15 Years of Impact
In 2026, the Economics of Land Degradation (ELD) Initiative marks its 15th anniversary, celebrating a journey defined by one central idea: turning degradation into opportunity. Over the past decade and a half, ELD has worked at the intersection of science, economics, and policy to demonstrate that sustainable land management is not only an environmental necessity, but also a sound economic investment.
To mark this milestone, ELD introduces its “15 Years of ELD” anniversary logo, reflecting a pathway shaped by evidence-based decision-making, global partnerships, and a growing recognition of the value of healthy land and ecosystems.
Turning Evidence into Action
Since its inception in 2011, ELD has focused on making economic evidence accessible and actionable. By translating complex research into practical insights, the Initiative has supported policymakers, investors, and practitioners in understanding the true costs of land degradation and the long-term benefits of sustainable land management.
Over the past 15 years, ELD has:
- Strengthened global awareness of the economic impacts of land degradation and land restoration
- Provided decision-makers with tools and evidence to integrate land values into policy and investment decisions
- Connected a diverse global network of experts, governments, and local communities to scale solutions from local contexts to the global level
A Strong Partnership Foundation
The ELD Initiative was founded with the support of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), and the European Commission, and is hosted by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
At its core, ELD is a network-driven initiative. Its impact has been made possible through the collective contributions of partners, researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and donors who share a commitment to evidence-based action for land.
As ELD looks toward 2026 and beyond, it remains committed to advancing economic approaches that make land value count for people, economies, and ecosystems worldwide.
Celebrating 15 Years and Looking Ahead
The 15th anniversary is both a moment to reflect and a platform to look forward. Throughout the year, ELD will highlight key milestones from its history, share stories of impact and testimonials from across the network, and revisit lessons learned along the way. At the same time, the Initiative will spotlight new insights, emerging innovations, and future directions for strengthening the economics of land.
A range of anniversary-related activities and communications is planned to mark the year, reinforcing ELD’s mission and providing opportunities to engage with partners and stakeholders across regions and sectors. These activities will continue to underscore ELD’s guiding principle: transforming knowledge into action and shifting perspectives from degradation to opportunity.
And thank you again to everyone who has supported ELD over the past 15 years. Here’s to 15 years of making land value count — and to many more years of transformative action for land.
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