CARDN was started in 1991 but operations began only after signing the contract with the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) as the executing agency in 1996. IFAD has supported the project with US$ 1.5 m. ACSAD has secured co-finance from the Islamic Development Bank (US$ 1.0 m for equipment) and from the French government (US$ 50,000). The network operates through national co-ordinators in 12 member countries.