Context
Reliable access to land plays a central role in food security and poverty reduction as well as for the sustainable use of natural resources. In contrast, poorly defined land use rights encourage conflicts between different population and land user groups and prevent investment in the conservation and restoration of biodiverse landscapes.
In Cameroon, the outdated legislation in need of reform does not allow adequate and affordable recognition of land use rights. Especially in rural areas, land use is mainly governed by customary regimes which are not systematically documented or legally recognized. Traditional land management is often based on collective rather than individual ownership. Women, young people and marginalised groups are especially disadvantaged in accessing land.
Approach
The project “Responsible Land Policy” (ProPFR) in Cameroon contributes to strengthening land use rights in the Centre Region, safeguarding the livelihoods of the rural population and at the same time promoting the protection and restoration of forest-rich landscapes. It supports sustainable access to land, particularly for women, young people and marginalised groups (e.g., Mbororo pastoralists and internally displaced persons), as well as in resolving land conflicts, especially of an agropastoral nature.
The project’s systematic approach aims to improve the documentation of individual and collective tenure and land use rights to forest, agricultural as well as pasture land, and their recognition by national, regional and local as well as traditional authorities. Furthermore, civil society and private sector actors are involved and strengthened in the implementation of responsible land policies.
Project objectiveThe access to land as an essential prerequisite for restoring and preserving forest landscapes and combating poverty and hunger in rural areas has improved for specific population groups, particularly women and marginalised groups, in the Centre Region of Cameroon. The project aims to
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Resources
Here on Landportal, the GPRLP shares its knowledge products, which come directly from the projects in the countries. These include good practices, impact stories, as well as manuals and guidebooks on topics like tenure security, dispute resolution and implementation strategies. You can find all our resources from Cameroon down below!
ProPFR knowledge map
This map provides a clear and concise overview of the challenges, objectives, tools and results of the project Responsible Land Policy (ProPFR) in Cameroon. It enables those wishing to learn about ProPFR’s work to gain a quick understanding of the key issues (insecure land rights, land conflicts, data loss, exclusion of vulnerable groups) and the innovative solutions implemented:
- Land conflicts: Prevention and management of land conflicts through expanded councils of community leaders, local charters and grazing agreements (EN/FR);
- PLADDT: Land-use planning through the identification of essential land via participatory mapping (EN/FR);
- Integrated Peace Agent (IPA): Inclusion of women as a local mechanism in the management of land conflicts (EN/FR);
- Land tenure security: Securing customary rights using tools such as certificates (ARDFC and AJPTER) and GPS (EN/FR);
- Archiving + SIFL: Archiving and the Local Land Information System (SIFL) to ensure a reliable record of land tenure (EN/FR).
This map serves as a starting point for exploring ProPFR’s work. Readers can then deepen their understanding by consulting the associated guides (PLADDT, IPA, conflict prevention and management, land tenure security, archiving), which can be found in the library section below. The guides in turn refer to further reference documents for more detailed reading.
Project information
Duration: January 2023–May 2026. Project value: €4,800,000. Status: Completed. Implementer and data provider: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. Donor: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.