The Inspection Panel is an independent complaint mechanism for people who believe that they have been, or are likely to be, adversely affected by a World Bank-funded project. The Panel provides for accountability and redress through its process and its assessment of Bank compliance with operational policies. Most of the complaints come to the Inspection Panel alleging harm caused by the World Bank’s non-compliance with its environmental and social policies, which are also called safeguard policies, currently undergoing review and update.

On the 10th May 2013 the Inspection Panel released a document containing the main lessons the Bank has to consider for better complying with its safeguard policies.

The document assesses in particurar four areas:
1) project area of influence;
2) consultation;
3) land management;
4) supervision.

About the Land Management, the Inspection Panel says:
"Over the past years, there have been a growing number of complaints related to land use and land management projects. Panel cases have revealed a policy lacunae with respect to impacts from land management projects. How to address consequences for people’s livelihoods from changes in rights to land and land based resources is not clear within the Bank’s safeguards framework. Bank Management issued a Guidance Note on Land Use Planning noting that the Involuntary Resettlement Policy does not apply to such projects.
In its investigation reports on projects dealing with land registration and land use management, the Panel has noted:
1 - Inadequate assessment of social, political, institutional and legal risks during project preparation.
2 - Impact of such projects may warrant application of the policies on Involuntary Resettlement and Indigenous Peoples.
3 - Projects involving indigenous peoples should carefully assess the social and legal importance of collective titles for certain groups.
4 - Longer term impacts of land titling for tenure security of poor and marginal communities need careful consideration.
5 - The importance of paying greater attention to changing social, political, institutional and legal circumstances in land related projects."

Click here to read the full document.