News on Land

Much arable land in developing countries is inefficiently managed or lies fallow: Since this became the accepted, World Bank-endorsed narrative in 2008, it has shaped the agricultural policies of many developing countries. At the same time, it has opened the doors to private investors seeking to acquire land for the long term. A country that has relied heavily on this model is Lao PDR. The Southeast Asian country has managed to generate an economic boom, reducing poverty and creating a significant number of jobs in rural areas. A Lao researcher examined the data as part of his doctoral studies at CDE, University of Bern, – and the results are sobering.  

The Land Portal just released the completely updated Land and Conflicts portfolio, a comprehensive guide exploring the complex, multifaceted relationships between land use, rights, and conflicts across various contexts.  

On 29 September, Zimbabwe granted a UAE-based firm conservation rights over 7.5 million hectares of its forests – about 20% of the country’s landmass. Under the deal, touted to be worth $1.5 billion, Blue Carbon General Trading will run forest preservation projects that will generate carbon credits to be sold on the global market.

The Land and Development Expertise Center (LADEC) and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) are excited to announce their partnership for a new LAND-at-scale project in Burundi: "Justice pour Toutes et Tous dans la Gestion des Conflits Fonciers" (JTT-GCF) (in English: Justice for all in the management of land conflicts. Starting September 2023, the project will run for a period of three years, focusing on promotion equality and non-discrimination in the management of land conflicts.

Dhaka Declaration: Mainstreaming land rights in the narrative of climate change

Carbon and nature offsetting perpetuates business as usual in a broken system, and will not fix the climate crisis

In communities’ visions of a secure future, good governance, transparency, and respect for customary rights matter more than a piece of paper

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), the Netherlands embassy in Bagdad (EKN) and the Netherlands Enterprise and Development Agency (RVO) are delighted to announce a LAND-at-scale project in Iraq. Over the coming three years, the project will work to initiate policy dialogue on the land legal framework reform and work to secure tenure rights for Internally Displaced People (IDPs) and returnees in Iraq

Sometimes at high-level international events, like the Africa Climate Summit held in early September 2023, we do not have the opportunity to, or forget to, include the voices of people who are going through the very issues discussed.

The Land Portal Foundation and the Open Data Charter have released the report State of Land Information in Madagascar: An Open Data Action Framework for Madagascar, shedding light on the state of the land data ecosystem in Madagascar. The report serves as a comprehensive diagnostic tool and guide, aiming to catalyze change and foster conversations about data transparency and land governance in Madagascar.

Do you have experience in grant monitoring, financial, and personnel administration? Are you experienced in overseeing the financial obligations of a small no-profit organization?  Would you like to work remotely and offer your services to a small international team of enthusiastic and driven people in the nonprofit sector? The Land Portal offers you a great opportunity in a diverse work environment and would like to hear from you!

Do you have experience in grant, financial, and budget administration? Are you experienced in the financial obligations of small nonprofit organizations?  Would you like to work remotely with a small international team of enthusiastic and driven people in the nonprofit sector? The Land Portal offers you a great opportunity in a diverse work environment and would like to hear from you!