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The International Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative
OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES
Preamble
The Charter of the International Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative (IPSI) is the fundamental
basis of the IPSI Operational Guidelines. The present IPSI Operational Guidelines document issubordinate to the IPSI Charter.

Chapter 1 – Membership
1.1 Application for membership shall be submitted to the IPSI Secretariat (referred to in Chapter 4),
stating the applicant’s intention to become a member organization (hereinafter “member”) anddescribing expertise or their activities involving socio-ecological production landscapes andseascapes (SEPLS). Applications shall be submitted using the Application Form for IPSI.
1.2 A new member organization is required to contribute at least one case study report on one ormore SEPLS or other relevant materials in accordance with the Case Study Guidelines within
six months after its entry into IPSI, to demonstrate and share its activities in relation to SEPLS.
1.3 Acceptance of membership to IPSI shall be decided by the Steering Committee based onChapter 1.1 and criteria set by the Steering Committee. Any application for membership shallbe transmitted by the Secretariat to the Steering Committee prior to the meeting of the Steering
Committee.
1.4 Membership shall be effective until either the member withdraws its membership of its own
accord, or in case of discontinuation of membership according to Chapters 1.5 and 1.6.
1.5 Any member can choose to withdraw its membership with notification provided in writing tothe Secretariat. In such cases, the Secretariat shall report the withdrawal to the Steering
Committee.
1.6 A member may be considered for discontinuation of membership at the discretion of theSteering Committee after a review process pending the consent of the General Assembly. TheSteering Committee shall also have the authority to suspend membership pending review by theGeneral Assembly in case of a member organization’s actions in serious conflict with the visionand purpose of IPSI.
1.7 Membership implies the understanding and agreement that participation and endorsement ofIPSI activities are carried out as the member’s own responsibility and that membership does not
express, in any way whatsoever, endorsement by IPSI of the member’s activities, except for
those described in Chapter 5.4.

Chapter 2 –General Assembly
2.1 The IPSI General Assembly shall be attended by the representative(s) of member organizations.
2.2 The IPSI General Assembly shall also receive reports of the Steering Committee and takedecisions if sought and deemed necessary by the Steering Committee.

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2.3 Reaching decisions at the IPSI General Assembly shall be based on consensus in principle.
However, in the event of difficulties in deciding a matter based on consensus, voting can beundertaken to make a decision. A two-thirds majority shall be required for matters regarding theIPSI Charter, and a simple majority for all other matters.

Chapter 3 – Steering Committee
3.1 The Steering Committee shall (1) review and provide directions on the operation of IPSI
activities, (2) make decisions on its own initiative and/or in response to the request from theGeneral Assembly, (3) review and approve membership applications as provided in Chapter 1,(4) provide recommendations for consideration by the General Assembly, (5) give guidance tothe IPSI Secretariat, and (6) catalyze partnership building and resource mobilization for IPSI.
3.2 Decisions at Steering Committee meetings shall be made in principle on the basis of consensus
to the extent possible. However, in the event of difficulties in reaching consensus, voting can bedone to make decisions, and a simple majority shall be required.
3.3 The Steering Committee shall be composed of at least 11 and not more than 22 representatives
from IPSI members. Steering Committee members shall serve two IPSI General Assembly
terms which shall be renewable. Rotation of Steering Committee members shall be encouraged
in principle.
3.4 The Steering Committee members will be selected from among IPSI members, taking into
account the balance of organization types and geographical regions.
3.5 In the selection of the Steering Committee members by the IPSI General Assembly, priority
shall be accorded to those members that have (1) substantive activities related to the Satoyama
Initiative, as well as Collaborative Activities of IPSI, (2) strong links to national/sub-nationaland regional partnerships, (3) capacity to actively participate in the operation of IPSI as theSteering Committee members, and (4) ability to identify and develop potential windows andmechanisms to finance the implementation of IPSI-related projects and activities.
3.6 The Steering Committee shall elect its Chair from its members to serve two IPSI General
Assembly terms which shall be renewable.
3.7 The Steering Committee Chair may nominate Vice-chair(s) as he or she deems necessary.
3.8 The Steering Committee Chair shall have the authority to appoint sub-committee(s) for specificpurposes or tasks as he or she deems necessary, subject to the approval of the SteeringCommittee at large.
3.9 The Steering Committee shall endeavor to hold at least one face-to-face meeting each year, andalso interact through e-mails and other means on a regular basis.

Chapter 4 – Secretariat
4.1 The United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS)
shall serve as the Secretariat of IPSI. Relocation of the Secretariat to another member
organization may be made upon agreement to do so and upon approval at the IPSI GeneralAssembly.
4.2 The Secretariat shall be responsible for (1) the preparation, coordination and arrangement ofIPSI General Assembly and Steering Committee meetings, and any other relevant IPSI-relatedactivities, (2) receiving new membership applications and liaising with IPSI members and otherPage | 3

stakeholders in general, (3) facilitating IPSI Collaborative Activities, (4) carrying out
awareness-raising and public outreach activities and facilitating knowledge-sharing activities,(5) establishing and managing the portal site of IPSI, and (6) in close collaboration with IPSI
members, facilitating partnership-building including resource mobilization for its activities andthe activities of IPSI.
4.3 All official communications on behalf of IPSI shall be handled by the Secretariat.

Chapter 5 – Activities
5.1 Members shall acknowledge that a wide range of ongoing or planned activities can provide
common ground with IPSI.
5.2 IPSI activities shall in principle be in accordance with priorities identified in the IPSI Strategyand Plan of Action.
5.3 Members shall be encouraged to enhance IPSI's outreach through use of the Satoyama Initiative
logo in knowledge and communications materials, including online and printed publications
and at events, in accordance with the Satoyama Initiative Logo Guidelines.
5.4 IPSI Collaborative Activities are the activities that shall be undertaken by more than one IPSI
member and constitute an important part of IPSI activities with the purpose of fosteringcollaboration within the IPSI membership and implementing the IPSI Strategy and Plan ofAction. The IPSI Collaborative Activities shall be developed and implemented with theendorsement of the Steering Committee in accordance with the Collaborative Activity
Guidelines. Resource mobilization for IPSI collaborative activities shall be the responsibility ofthe implementing members in principle.
5.5 IPSI will also build on and promote synergies with ongoing and planned activities of themembers, relevant to IPSI purposes and activities. Members shall provide inputs on theactivities and lessons learned and acknowledge IPSI’s contribution where appropriate.
5.6 IPSI shall regularly convene a Global Conference, which shall be composed of meetings of theGeneral Assembly and its associated Steering Committee, and a Public Forum.
5.7 The Public Forum will be attended by all interested stakeholders, (1) to strengthen collaborationand synergies among members as well as between the Satoyama Initiative and other relevant
initiatives and programmes, and (2) to enhance understanding and raise awareness of theimportance of SEPLS.
5.8 This Chapter does not impose any binding limits upon individual members’ mandates oractivities.

Chapter 6 – Resource Mobilization
6.1 Members shall strive to mobilize resources to undertake their activities in the context of IPSI.
6.2 Members shall pursue the financing of their activities under the existing financing mechanisms
and programmes while exploring new financing mechanisms.

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Chapter 7 - Acceptance, Entry into Force, Amendment and Interpretation
7.1 Acceptance of these Operational Guidelines shall be expressed when the application for joining
IPSI is submitted.
7.2 The present Operational Guidelines shall take effect on 4 October 2014.
7.3 Amendments to the present Operational Guidelines may be made by the IPSI Steering
Committee, except for the provisions of Chapter 2 – IPSI General Assembly and Chapter 3 –Steering Committee, which shall require a decision of the IPSI General Assembly foramendment.
7.4 Interpretation of any provision of the present Operational Guidelines shall be a matter for theSteering Committee and the Secretariat on behalf of the General Assembly.