Collective goals and actions criterion

The collective goals and actions criterion evaluates whether stakeholders in the landscape initiative have established a shared vision by defining long-term sustainability impact goals at the landscape scale. It also assesses whether they have developed a collective action plan and a strategy for securing the necessary funding and resources to achieve these goals.

To assess these aspects, the criterion is divided into three sub-criteria:

  1. Collective sustainability goals.

  2. Collective action plan.

  3. Funding and finance strategy.

Collective sustainability goals sub-criterion

For a landscape initiative to drive meaningful and lasting change, stakeholders must define clear, long-term sustainability impact goals. This sub-criterion evaluates whether the initiative has established measurable goals that reflect social, environmental, and economic priorities, and whether there is a process in place to regularly review and update these goals to adapt to evolving landscape conditions.

To meet this sub-criterion, the initiative should have identified at least three goals, including at least one environmental goal and one social goal.

Documentation requirements

To meet this sub-criterion, the following materials must be submitted through the LandScale platform for validation:

  • A list of the landscape initiative's sustainability impact goals.

  • Evidence that the sustainability impact goals were informed by a context analysis, baseline study, or other similar assessment.

  • Documentation of stakeholder consultation in setting the goals (optional).

  • A description of the process for reviewing and updating the goals over time, including:

    • The stakeholders responsible for the review process.

    • The frequency of reviews.

    • The decision-making process to ensure consensus on updates.

Validation criteria

Validation will confirm whether the following requirements have been fulfilled:

  • All required documentation has been submitted via the platform.

  • Goals are clearly listed and encompass social, environmental, and economic priorities.

  • At least three goals are identified, including at least one environmental goal and one social goal.

  • Goals are informed by a documented context analysis, baseline study, or other similar assessment.

  • If included, documentation of stakeholder consultation in goal setting is provided.

  • A process for reviewing and updating the goals has been established and is adequately described.

Collective action plan sub-criterion

A well-defined collective action plan is essential for translating sustainability goals into concrete steps and ensuring long-term impact. This sub-criterion evaluates whether stakeholders have agreed on a multi-year action plan that outlines clear strategies for achieving sustainability goals and whether there is a structured process in place to review and update the plan regularly.

Documentation requirements

To meet this sub-criterion, the following materials must be submitted through the LandScale platform for validation:

  • Documentation of the landscape initiative's multi-year action plan, which should:

    • Clearly define available resources (e.g., funding, technical support).

    • Include at least one action per sustainability impact goal.

    • Address diverse land-use types and/or commodities.

    • Be adopted by multiple stakeholders.

    • Be publicly available.

    • Have been updated within the last five years.

  • Documentation of stakeholder consultation and endorsement related to the action plan (optional).

  • A description of the process for reviewing and updating the action plan over time, including:

    • The stakeholders responsible for the review process.

    • The frequency of reviews.

Validation criteria

Validation will confirm whether the following requirements have been fulfilled:

  • All required documentation has been submitted via the platform.

  • The action plan is aligned with sustainability impact goals and milestones, and meets the following criteria:

    • Available resources are clearly defined.

    • Includes at least one action per sustainability impact goal.

    • Addresses diverse land-use types and/or commodities relevant to the landscape.

    • Is endorsed by multiple stakeholders and publicly available.

    • Has been updated within the last five years.

  • If included, documentation of stakeholder consultation related to the action plan is provided.

  • A process for reviewing and updating the action plan has been established and is adequately described.

Funding and finance strategy sub-criterion

A funding and finance strategy is essential for ensuring the long-term viability of a landscape initiative. It can also enhance the initiative’s appeal to companies and investors by demonstrating financial planning, risk mitigation, and long-term impact potential. This sub-criterion assesses whether the collective action plan is supported by a structured financial approach that identifies funding sources, secures diversified financial resources, and ensures sustained implementation over time.

Documentation requirements

To meet this sub-criterion, the following materials must be submitted through the LandScale platform for validation:

  • Documentation of the landscape initiative's funding and finance strategy, or a description that includes:

    • How the initiative has identified potential funding sources.

    • Efforts to secure diversified funding streams.

    • The long-term financial strategy to support the implementation of the action plan.

  • Indication of the funding secured and anticipated funding needs (optional).

Validation criteria

Validation will confirm whether the following requirements have been fulfilled:

  • All required documentation has been submitted via the platform.

  • A long-term financial strategy that supports the implementation of the collective action plan has been established and is adequately described.

  • The strategy outlines efforts to diversify funding sources and ensure financial sustainability.

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