The strategy and business plan for The Yazd International Centre for Living with the Desert (YICLD) were prepared by the Board of Management appointed by Yazd University, in coordination with Yazd Governorate and in consultation with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)-New York and UNDP-Tehran. The Board of Management is representing members from different acting agencies and stakeholder groups. The Board of Management conducted several meetings to discuss and approve the project work-plan, strategy framework, project activities and assess progress.
The National Steering Council representing the high level members from different acting agencies and stakeholder groups assisted the project through the discussions and approval of the centre's vision, goals and framework and supporting of the project team.
An international consultant was recruited to facilitate the development of technical working groups, provide guidance for reports and document, assist in the desertification control planning process, draft and finalize the YICLD strategy and business plan. The selection of this consultant has been done under UNDP guidance. The International Consultant has been contracted by UNOPS to supply technical assistance for the programme. This mission constitutes an essential element of UNOPS technical support of the efforts of the Islamic Republic of Iran to elaborate business plan for the Yazd International Centre for Living with the Desert (YICLD). The two objectives of the mission are:

The Project Coordinator had been recruited by UNDP in consultation with the Office of the Governor General of Yazd and Yazd University. The Project Coordinator is responsible for the implementation of all project activities in close cooperation with the national Board of Management of the Centre, the Office of General Governor of Yazd, Yazd University and UNDP-Tehran. The project activities including recruitment of the national training consultant, preparation of work-plans, terms of references for the consultants, and monitoring and reporting on delivery.
The Project Coordinator and National consultant were worked closely with Board of Management and international consultant to undertake studies and sectoral analyses, collect pertinent information and synthesize them into working papers for each selected topic. These members of national consultants were selected according to their expertise and experience in the different subjects.
A series of consultative sectoral and cross-sectoral meetings were held during the preparation of the strategy and business plan documents. Participants from different sectors were invited to meet with the project consultants to discuss desertification issues, local perceptions and alternative solutions for sustainable use and conservation of natural resources in deserts and dry areas.
An Awareness campaign was implemented including a series of public and broad media coverage aiming at increasing the awareness and understanding of the general public on the desertification control and the importance of the establishment of YICLD and its relation to people's everyday life.
Several meetings and one-day workshop were conducted in Yazd University to synthesize the inputs from the consultants. The workshop targeted the Board of Management and stakeholders staffs was held for the identification and analysis of options to meet the objectives of the YICLD strategy and business plan.
Two workshops were held in Yazd University whereby targeting representatives from different government entities and non-government agencies including the private sector.
The objectives of the first workshop were to present data from stocktaking, to explain the objectives of the project and the process involved, and to brainstorm on the possible options in the management of desertification control through YICLD strategy and business plan. The objectives of the second workshop were to validate the final objectives of the strategy, prioritize the actions proposed in the action plan and discuss the next steps involved in the implementation of the YICLD strategy and business plan.
Yazd International Centre for Living with the Desert (YICLD), based in the region, would not just operate across the region but would also operate across disciplines. These disciplines would include plant, animal and soil science, water management, economics, information technology, and social sciences.
Research is not the sole orientation of the Centre. There is also a strong commitment to teaching and to extension and networking. Research, however, is seen to be the engine that drives the energies and focus of the Centre revitalises the teaching process and provides a primary mechanism for achieving broader goals. The aim of the Centre would be to research issues and problems on behalf of the potential end-users of that research. It is crucial that research be at an internationally competitive standard, with international application. There is also a commitment to enhancing regional skills, employment opportunities and technology transfer opportunities.
The core participants of the centre will be Faculty of Natural Resources and Desert Studies/Yazd University. Faculty Of Natural Resources and Desert Studies including Desertification Combat Department, Watershed Management Department, Soil Science Department, Environmental Science Department, Ecology of Desert (Dry Land and Desert Researches Institute DDRI), Combat to Anthropogenic Desertification: (Dry Land And Desert Researches Institute DDRI).
Faculty of Art And Architecture, Settlement And Architecture In Dry Lands, Yazd Natural Resources Department, and Yazd Water Resources Authority. YICLD Centre will also participate in research and training, and will be complementary to the Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands in Iran, which also includes research in different parts of Iran.
The business plan aims to provide strategies that will allow The YICLD Centre to develop as the leading national centre for desertification combat. As such it will be a Centre which is internationally focussed and networked. The aim is to be financially self-sustaining within the next 3-5 years. The plan proposes that the Centre will develop to achieve financial independence through the attraction of research grants and fee for service research/teaching and training.
Following the first meeting of the Steering Council and several meetings of the Board of Management and the consultants, the Mission Statement, Vision and Scope of Activities were agreed to as a basis for the business plan.

To enhance the sustainable development in desert regions, through quality research, training, extension and sharing the traditional knowledge and best practices of co-existence and harmony in living with the desert.

Yazd International Centre for Living with the Desert (YICLD) aspires to be Iran's leading centre for research, its application, and training in integrated and sustainable systems for desertification combating and arid land management, drawing on Iranian and international expertise.

To become recognised nationally and internationally as a centre for excellence in applying multidisciplinary approaches to solving applied research problems in deserts and arid land environments. By so doing, to involve stakeholders in the design, operation and application of research and training.