Program Briefs
USAID Program Brief: Land Tenure and Property Rights in Timor-Leste
This brief looks at the successes, challenges, and future plans to support assessments of land tenure and property rights,community consultation, and legal reforms including the Decree Law on State Leases (2004), Law on Private Leases (2005), and most recently, the Ministerial Regulation on the Cadastre—the legal basis for the current Project’s land claims collection activities. (April 2011)
USAID Program Brief: Land Tenure and Property Rights Kenya SECURE Project
The USAID-funded Securing Rights to Land and Natural Resources for Biodiversity and Livelihoods in the Kiguna, Boni and Dodori Reserves and Surrounding Areas Project (SECURE Project) works with the Ministry of Lands in Kenya’s north coast region of Lamu to help implement the new NLP. The Lamu environs are recognized as international hotspots for biodiversity and the home to three national reserves that incorporate 2,500 kms² of coastal forest, mangrove, estuarine, and marine ecosystems hosting numerous vulnerable and endangered species. Lands in this region have long been categorized as government lands, but local communities manage them under customary land tenure arrangements. (April 2011)
USAID Program Brief: The Kimberley Process in the Central African Republic
This brief looks at the successes, challenges, and future plans for identifying and registering property rights claims of artisanal diamond miners using the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.
USAID Program Brief: Land Tenure and Property Rights Sudan
The Sudan Property Rights Program (SPRP, September 2008 – March 2011) assisted the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) to develop a draft land policy based on extensive public consultation and research, as well as provided support to build the capacity of the Southern Sudan Land Commission (SSLC). A follow-on project, the Sudan Rural Land Governance Project (SRLG, 2011 – 2013) will help harmonize the land policy with the 2009 Land Act and support selected State and local governments for more effective land administration and planning. (USAID Program Brief)
USAID Program Brief: Land Tenure & Property Rights, Kenya
Kenya’s land reform, initiated in the 1950s, involved large-scale conversion of customary land tenure systems to private, individualized ownership. However, land privatization failed to increase agricultural productivity or provide the level of tenure security anticipated. Many smallholders lost land to wealthy, influential individuals. Efforts were also made to secure group tenure for pastoralist communities residing on lands in arid and semi-arid areas which comprise approximately 80% of the country. These reforms resulted in serious consequences, particularly for resource governance and wildlife conservation.
USAID Program Brief: Property Rights and Artisanal Diamond Development (PRADD)
The Property Rights and Artisanal Diamond Development (PRADD) project is a joint USAID/Department of State initiative to assist the governments of the Central African Republic (CAR) and of Liberia to fulfill their commitment to the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS). Launched in CAR in 2007 as a pilot initiative, and in Liberia in mid-2010, the project aims to increase the amount of alluvial diamonds entering the formal chain of custody while improving the benefits accruing to mining communities through an approach of strengthening property rights.
USAID Program Brief: Colombia
This brief looks at the successes, challenges, and future activities for an integrated approach across four components MIDAS aimed to create new and alternative licit income sources to strengthen Colombia’s economy and lead private initiative away from illicit economic activities.
Property Rights and Artisanal Diamond Development (PRADD); Supporting the Kimberley Process in the Central African Republic and Liberia
The Property Rights and Artisanal Diamond Development (PRADD) project is a joint USAID/Department of State initiative to assist the governments of the Central African Republic (CAR) and of Liberia to fulfill their commitment to the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS). (USAID Program Brief)
USAID Program Brief: Land Tenure and Property Rights in Ethiopia
This brief looks at the successes, challenges, and future plans to reform the legal framework for land and property by harmonizing regional land administration and use laws with federal legislation; improve the awareness of land users and stakeholders about land administration and land use laws and regulations; and strengthen the capacity of federal and regional governments to implement second level land registration and certification.
USAID Program Brief: Liberia
USAID/Liberia’s Land Rights and Community Forestry Program (LRCFP) works with government, pilot communities, and other stakeholders to establish and demonstrate a framework for community land and forest resource rights that will provide equitable local benefits while safeguarding national and international forest conservation obligations. Key government partners comprise the Forestry Development Authority, the recently formed Land Commission, and local government including traditional authorities. LRCFP’s engagement with pilot rural communities seeks to inform emerging land and community forestry policies and build capacity in practice regarding issues and workable solutions to sustainable management of forest lands.
