Document Type: Progress Reports

USAID’s Property Rights Program (PRP) is a four-year activity that aims to address the property rights challenges and to develop a plan for the stabilization of the property rights regime in Kosovo. The program will work in partnership with the Government of Kosovo (GOK), selected municipalities and other relevant local and international stakeholders. USAID has allocated $8.5 million for the implementation of the Property Rights Program.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This quarter saw the significant advancement of project initiatives under all four PRP objectives. In addition, the new COP assumed his duties on July 16.

Objective 1: Better Coordination and Policy Priorities

To assist the MoJ’s efforts to produce a National Strategy on Property Rights, PRP provided the MoJ, with technical support to finalize the Issues Document that served to identify and frame for analysis clusters of legal and technical issues to be addressed by the National Strategy. PRP also assisted the MoJ to establish the government structures that will take ownership and responsibility to develop the National Strategy – the Core Technical Group (CTG) and Thematic Working Groups (TWGs). In addition, the CTG adopted the approach and timeframe proposed by the Project for developing the Concept Documents for the National Strategy.

PRP also conducted a tender and selected a subcontractor, Strategy & Development Consulting (SDC) to field a team of experts to assist the CTG and TWGs to conduct research and analysis and draft the Concept Documents that will then serve to inform drafting of the final National Strategy document. PRP facilitated meetings between SDC and the Chair of the CTG to agree on modalities for coordination to ensure SDC is fully integrated into the MoJ’s strategy development process.

In addition, Minster of Justice Kuci met with PRP and reiterated his support for the initiative to create the National Strategy.

PRP also developed extensive comments on the draft Law on Notary; compiled other USAID projects’ comments on the draft law; and presented USAID with a unified document with all comments, which USAID then presented to the MoJ. Among many issues implicated by the Law on Notary is the need to clarify the respective jurisdictions of the courts and the notaries over non-contested cases. This s a direct bearing on efforts to reform the procedures governing inheritance proceedings. PRP has been actively urging the MOJ to approach this issue circumspectly and with deliberation and to resolve it with due consideration for the implications this law will have for inheritance reforms.

Objective 2: Improved Court Procedures Related to Property Claims

PRP completed a Differentiated Caseflow Management (DCM) assessment of case flow practices in the four Courts of Merit, analyzing over 1,200 property cases, and developed detailed findings and recommendations for immediate action the KJC could take to improve case flow management and court performance. The principal finding was that the adjudication of all property cases, regardless of the specific subject matter, are accompanied by very significant delays that far exceed international best practice related to case disposition times.

During the first weeks of the next quarter (October 22, 2015) PRP will facilitate a workshop with the KJC, courts presidents and heads of Civil Divisions of all Basic Courts and the PRP supported Advisory Council comprising Court of Merit judges. The DCM expert who conducted the assessment will present its findings and suggest options for reform initiatives. The workshop is intended to produce consensus on reform and development of an action plan to be ratified that will define activities to be piloted and tested in the Courts of Merit to improve case flow management.

PRP also facilitated the recently arrived US Ambassador’s visit to the Ferizaj Basic Court; received the first draft of its report on inter-generational inheritance matters; and conducted the first phase of its needs assessment for judicial training with the Kosovo Judicial Institute.

Objective 3: Enhanced Women’s Rights to Use Property in Practice

PRP began development of a Public Service Announcement on women and property rights that will feature prominent Kosovar, including the President, a noted singer, and artist and a young judo champion. PRP also developed a strategy for its Social Behavior Change Communications campaign; identified the target audiences and refined its messaging for the campaign; and secured the approval of the Office of the President to conduct the campaign under the established rubric, “For the Common Good.”

PRP also conducted a tender and selected a production company for the media campaign.

In addition, PRP undertook a number of activities to support USAID E4E partner, ATRC, and its sub-grantees.  PRP supported USAID-mandated improvements in ATRC’s operations and grant management procedures and assisted ATRC to conduct capacity assessments of its sub-grantees.  PRP also assisted ATRC in conducting a training needs assessment for its sub-grantees.

Two grants were given for activities to support the ability of women to exercise property rights in Kosovo: to the organizations BIRN (Balkan Investigative Reporting Network) and ACDC (Advocacy Center for Democratic Culture), ACDC to conduct its activities in northern Kosovo.

Objective 4: Improved Communication, Access to Information and Understanding of Property Rights

PRP developed and presented to USAID a proposal for an initiative for G2G funding for municipalities. The initiative is designed, among other things, to help fill gaps in land records by engaging municipal efforts to scan and index the archived hard copy documents of the Municipal Cadastral Offices (MCOs) in two municipalities. In addition to making more information available on the ownership history of land parcels in the municipality, the initiative is designed to improve information-sharing among Kosovo institutions; facilitate the adoption of streamlined registration procedures at the MCOs; and support more effective municipal planning and use of municipal land.

PRP also completed its selection process for municipal candidates for G2G support and presented its findings and recommendations to USAID.

USAID’s Property Rights Program (PRP) is a four-year activity that aims to address the property rights challenges and to develop a plan for the stabilization of the property rights regime in Kosovo. The program will work in partnership with the Government of Kosovo (GOK), selected municipalities and other relevant local and international stakeholders. USAID has allocated $8.5 million for the implementation of the Property Rights Program.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This quarter marked the transition from assessment and preparation to implementation for major project initiatives under all four PRP objectives.

Objective 1: Better Coordination and Policy Priorities

This quarter saw the steady development of the five Concept Notes for the National Strategy on Property Rights, which was accompanied by the full and active engagement of the Thematic Working Groups. (TWGs).  During the quarter each TWG held two working sessions with the experts leading the development of the Concept Notes, and participation was lively and constructive. At the most recent TWG working sessions held in December 2015, the TWGs reviewed the draft Rationales for each of the Concept Notes and provided substantive comments and suggestions. The final versions of the Concept Notes will be provided for final review by the TWGs in February 2016.

PRP provided extensive guidance to the experts drafting the Concept to help them develop a unified and comprehensive approach to their research and to prioritize issues. PRP also played the central role in coordinating among the MoJ, the TWGs and PRP’s experts drafting the Concept Notes.

PRP continued to cooperate closely and constructively with the EU-funded Civil Code and Property Rights Project (CCPR), facilitating discussion with judges of issues in judicial practice relevant to the Civil Code; and collaborating with CCPR to complete and submit to the MoJ the analysis of international practice related to the renunciation of inheritance.

During this reporting period, PRP also provided support to the MoJ by way of organizing and participating in a three-day workshop in order to finalize consultation and drafting of the Draft Law on Notary. PRP also supported the MoJ on drafting the Concept Document for the Law on Inheritance with a focus on renunciation and provided Comments on the Draft Concept Document for the Law on Public Property which was approved by the Government of Kosovo on December 30, 2015.

Objective 2: Improved Court Procedures Related to Property Claims

PRP completed and submitted to USAID its Final Report on Differentiated Caseflow Management, an assessment of case flow practices in the four Courts of Merit (CoM) in the adjudication of property cases. The assessment is based on an analysis of over 1,800 disposed property cases, as well as site visits to the courts and discussions with judges. The principal finding in the Report is that the adjudication of all property cases, regardless of the specific subject matter, entails very significant delays that far exceed international best practice.

The Report includes an Action Plan of immediate actions to improve case flow management and court performance, and PRP has gained the approval of the judges for the Action Plan.  Implementation will commence in early 2016 in the four CoM.

During this quarter, PRP facilitated a workshop with the KJC, court presidents and heads of Civil Divisions of all Basic Courts along with PRP’s Judicial Advisory Council to present the preliminary findings of the Report and to review and discuss the proposed Action Plan. The workshop produced consensus among the judges on the need for reform and ultimately led to the final approval of the Action Plan.

Objective 3: Enhanced Women’s Rights to Use Property in Practice

PRP provided the MoJ with its analysis of international practices on the renunciation of inheritance and presented its findings and recommendations to the MoJ Working Group on Renunciation. This was followed by a three-day workshop to draft the Concept Document on the Renunciation of Inheritance.

PRP produced its first media product for its national campaign on women’s property rights, “For Our Common Good.” The Public Service Announcement (PSA) features H.E. President Atifete Jahjaga, Minister of Justice Hajredin Kuçi, Aferdita Saraqini-Kelmendi (the Director RTV21), and the World Judo Champion (junior category)  Distria Krasniqi. PRP officially launched the PSA and its nationwide campaign on December 10, 2015 (on International Human Rights Day). President Jahjaga and Minister Kuçi were joined by US Ambassador Greg Delawie in delivering remarks at the event in support to the campaign. The PSA is currently being aired on the Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK) television network in Albanian and Serbian languages.

In this quarter, PRP also commenced the production of a series of additional media products for its campaign, holding a successful tender and awarding the contract to a local production company.  Filming and production are well underway according to schedule for final approval and airing this upcoming quarter.

PRP continued its leading role in coordinating stakeholders’ efforts related to gender equality and women’s property rights in Kosovo through the Gender Coordination Group on Women’s Property Rights.  PRP also continued to provide technical assistance to the USAID E4E implementing partner and sub-grantees, which are conducting activities to support further awareness raising of the issue of women’s ability to exercise their property rights.

PRP also cosponsored together with E4E subgrantee, KCBS, a Conference on Women in Business, which was attended by over 170 business women from Drenas/Glogovac, Kamenicë/Kamenica, and Rahovec/Orahovac.

Objective 4: Improved Communication, Access to Information and Understanding of Property Rights

During this quarter, PRP provided additional information to USAID in support of its proposal for G2G funding for municipalities. The initiative is designed, among other things, to make additional information on land holdings easily available by helping municipalities to scan and index the archived hard copy documents of their Municipal Cadastral Offices (MCOs). In addition to making more information available on the ownership history of land parcels in the municipality, the initiative is designed to improve information-sharing among Kosovo institutions; facilitate the adoption of streamlined registration procedures at the MCOs; improve local citizens’ knowledge and understanding of administrative requirements and procedures; and support more effective municipal planning and use of municipal land.

At the end of 2015 USAID informed PRP that it had selected Viti/Vitina municipality for a pre-award assessment for this initiative.

USAID’s Property Rights Program (PRP) is a four-year activity that aims to address the property rights challenges and to develop a plan for the stabilization of the property rights regime in Kosovo. The program will work in partnership with the Government of Kosovo (GOK), selected municipalities and other relevant local and international stakeholders. USAID has allocated $8.5 million for the implementation of the Property Rights Program.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Summary of results for the reporting period and key achievements.

Objective 1: Better Coordination and Policy Priorities

To support development of a National Strategy for Property Rights under Objective 1, PRP provided assistance to the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) to prepare the technical documentation required under the applicable legislation to request a decision from the Government of Kosovo (GOK) authorizing the MOJ to draft the National Strategy for inclusion in the GOK’s Strategic Plan for 2015.  In parallel, PRP worked with the MOJ, the Department for European Integration and Policy Coordination of the MOJ, the EU Support to the Civil Code and Property Rights Project (CCPR) and USAID to establish the modalities for the Property Rights Sector Working Group SWG), through which the National Strategy will be developed and presented to the GOK. The MOJ submitted the request to the Prime Minister’s Strategic Planning Office on March 10, 2015, and approval is pending.

PRP is also working with the MOJ and CCPR to assess property classifications prescribed under the laws of the former Yugoslavia to be updated consistent with the requirements of a land market to support Kosovo’s economic development. The issues of restitution, both pre and post-conflict, and challenges regarding a resolution of the claims related socially-owned enterprises (SOEs) also constrain the development of a robust land market.  These are significant issues will be addressed by the SWG through the National Strategy.

Upon request of the Adviser of the Prime Minister without Portfolio, PRP provided assistance to implement a technical agreement between the Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of Serbia related to the return of cadastral documents removed by the Serbian regime during the conflict and finalization of a draft Law on the Kosovo Property Comparison and Verification Agency (KPCVA) to resolve discrepancies between the returned documents and documents currently maintained in Kosovo’s Municipal Cadastral Offices.  A working group has been established consisting of the Director of the Legal Office of the Prime Minister’s Office, the Kosovo Cadastre Agency (KCA), the Kosovo Property Agency (KPA), a member of the US Embassy, and the European Special Representative to develop the final draft of the legislation. The Office of the Prime Minister has requested PRP to assistance to prepare by-laws to implement the new law as it expects it will be passed in the next two months.

Objective 2: Improved Court Procedures Related to Property Claims

PRP facilitated a participatory process with the Kosovo Judicial Council (KJC) to select four Courts of Merit that will work with the PRP to develop, pilot and test court procedures to more efficiently adjudicate property claims and disputes and ensure women’s rights to inherit property are fully enforced. In consultation with the KJC, the presiding judges of the seven basic courts, the presiding judge of the court of appeals, the Basic Courts of Peja, Gjilan, and Ferizaj with the Branch in Sterpce were selected as the Courts of Merits. The President of the Court of Appeals and Court Presidents highly recommended establishment of an Advisory Committee comprised of thought leaders and agents of change in the court system to assist the KJC and PRP develop procedures and processes to increase court efficiency.  It is expected the Advisory Committee will be fully functional in the next quarter.

Objective 3: Enhanced Women’s Rights to Use Property in Practice

In February 2015 the Tetra Tech ARD Director of Grants Management and PRP Grants and Subcontracts Manager assessed capacity of USAID’s Engagement for Equity (E4E) implementing partner, Advocacy Training & Resources Center (ATRC), and provided support to ATRC to begin the process of issuing and administering grants under the E4E program. ATRC was provided training on USAID grant-making procedures, systems, and planning processes throughout the entire grants cycle.  Additionally, ATRC was provided assistance to develop RFA topics that will assist PRP achieve its program objectives related to public education, outreach, and advocacy activities to improve women’s access to property rights in practice.

PRP continued to work with key stakeholders to refine its Behavior Change Communications (BCC) strategy and messaging that will serve as a key component in the information and outreach program that the PRP will support ATRC to implement through grants to CSOs under the E4E program. PRP facilitated participatory workshops on January 28 and March 30, 2015, to further develop BCC content and messaging. Another key outcome from the workshops was the formation of a Property Rights Communications Working Group to coordinate information and outreach activities promoting women’s property rights that are currently being implemented by government agencies and donor funded projects.

The Minister of Justice expressed support for the recommendations presented in the Gender Report Dr. Sandra Joireman prepared for PRP during the last quarter.  He requested PRP to facilitate an event jointly with the MOJ to present the ministry’s support for reform based on the report’s recommendations to strengthen the property rights of women. The event is scheduled for April 22, 2015. The Minister has created a working group, on which PRP specialists will serve, to recommend amendments to legislation as part of the Ministry’s reform efforts.  PRP also worked with CCPR project experts to review legislation and practice regarding family and inheritance law and produce a draft an analysis of these laws.

PRP has secured places on both the Inheritance and Family Law working group established by the CCPR project and the working group established by the MOJ to amend the Inheritance Law.  It is expected the two working groups will begin drafting activities in the next quarter.

PRP provided technical assistance and inputs to the Agency for Gender Equality (AGE) to develop an Administrative Instruction (AI) for Registration of Common Property. A draft AI was produced and PRP will support public consultation in the next quarter. PRP also provided technical input to CCPR’s analysis of the Inheritance Law.

Objective 4: Improved Communication, Access to Information and Understanding of Property Rights

PRP developed and submitted to USAID a substantially revised proposal for activities to be implemented by municipalities with direct assistance from USAID to improve the sharing of land-related information to assist courts to more efficiently resolve property claims and to facilitate market transactions.  USAID will provide comment and feedback to further develop the proposal in the next quarter.

Key priorities for the next quarter are to advance development of the National Strategy for Property Rights; develop and implement reform activities through the Courts of Merit; assist ATRC to implement E4E activities in support of PRP efforts to change attitudes and behaviors about women’s rights to property and assist the MOJ to develop legislation to strengthen the property rights of women; and work with USAID to further develop the proposal for direct funding to municipalities to improve the sharing of land-related information to assist courts to more efficiently resolve property claims and to facilitate market transactions.

USAID’s Property Rights Program (PRP) is a four-year activity that aims to address the property rights challenges and to develop a plan for the stabilization of the property rights regime in Kosovo. The program will work in partnership with the Government of Kosovo (GOK), selected municipalities and other relevant local and international stakeholders. USAID has allocated $8.5 million for the implementation of the Property Rights Program.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Summary of results for the reporting period and key achievements.

Objective 1: Better Coordination and Policy Priorities

A final MOU between the EU-funded Support to the Civil Code and Property Rights (CCPR) project and the PRP setting out arrangements for cooperation and coordination was agreed and will be signed in the next quarter.

The PRP will contribute to the CCPR legislative drafting process by providing inputs identifying problems affecting property rights, including gaps and shortcomings in the substantive property law, both primary and secondary, and proposing practical solutions on how to address those problems as mutually agreed upon with the CCPR.

The Policy Development Specialist of the PRP met with the Director of the Legal Office of the Office of Prime Minister and the Coordinator of the Division for Policy Coordination of the Legal Department of the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) to start the process of establishing the Property Rights Sectoral Working Group (SWG).

In order to map out the roles and responsibilities of each donor and line ministry and agency dealing with property rights, the PRP Policy Development Specialist conducted key informant interviews with donor projects and line ministries and agencies to narrowly describe their terms of reference, scopes of work, or legal mandates in a report.

The Policy Development Specialist prepared a list of laws relating directly or indirectly to property rights issues and shared the list with the CCPR. He also located electronic English versions of these laws where possible.

The Policy Development Specialist prepared a list of the main topics that should be covered in a national strategy on property rights. The list includes the general legal requirements pursuant to instructions of the GOK that must be followed by the government in preparing a strategy and policy documents.

Objective 2: Improved Court Procedures Related to Property Claims

The USAID/Kosovo Effective Rule of Law (EROL) project provided an Excel spreadsheet listing data for 95,124 civil cases across all Kosovo Courts. The PRP Judicial Reform Specialist reviewed the civil court caseload and finds that the data cannot be accurately filtered by type of property claim. This is because the database is modeled on the civil court registries, which as pointed out above, do not contain the proper filters to identify all types of property cases.

The Judicial Reform Specialist met with judges from several courts and discussed their perceptions of the key obstacles to disposing of the property rights claims. Major issues are overlapping jurisdiction, conflicting legislation, and what law to apply to a particular claim.

The PRP Judicial Reform Specialist and Gender and Property Rights Specialist met with the Kosovo Judicial Institute (KJI) Director and discussed training modules developed and conducted by the KJI related to property rights. The KJI is the main institution in Kosovo providing training for judicial professionals (judges, legal associates, presiding judges and administrative staff). The KJI has already developed modules for two-day property rights courses that cover property ownership and limitations, women’s property rights including anti-discrimination laws, common and joint property rights between spouses, and division of property rights upon divorce.

The PRP, in coordination with KJI and Kosovo Chamber of Advocates training experts, will review the training curricula and training modules to identify gaps in the program and prepare a training needs assessment.

Objective 3: Enhanced Women’s Rights to Use Property in Practice

The PRP sponsored a booth and presented materials informing women and men about property rights and their value to accessing finance to increase opportunities for women to develop sustainable businesses during the Finance Fair  organized by the Kosovo Association of Banks and held on September 23 and 24, 2014 by Visitors to the PRP booth included private individuals, students, small business owners, representatives of NGOs, and representatives of other donor projects.

PRP assisted Crimson Capital to develop the agenda, organize venues, identify women entrepreneurs and publicize a joint workshop on finance and property rights for women in business that will take place in Gjakova in the next quarter. PRP and Crimson Capital anticipate replicating the event throughout the country.

Objective 4: Improved Communication, Access to Information and Understanding of Property Rights

PRP Chief of Party (COP) and Municipal Service Delivery Specialist of the PRP met with Agron Maxhuni, Head of Legal Department in Ministry for Local Self-Government, to begin coordination with this counterpart regarding work with the municipalities. He emphasized that any activities geared toward completing the registration of property are of interest.

The COP and the Municipal Services Delivery Specialist met with the mayors of Vushtrri, Istog, Fushë Kosovë, and Gjakova and the deputy mayor of Shtërpce to introduce the PRP and explain the need for an assessment of information sharing in municipalities to identify areas for possible intervention.

USAID’s Property Rights Program (PRP) is a four-year activity that aims to address the property rights challenges and to develop a plan for the stabilization of the property rights regime in Kosovo. The program will work in partnership with the Government of Kosovo (GOK), selected municipalities and other relevant local and international stakeholders. USAID has allocated $8.5 million for the implementation of the Property Rights Program.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This Quarter was very productive for PRP: it saw important developments in major initiatives in progress – the National Strategy on Property Rights; case flow management reform in Kosovo courts; and the media campaign on women’s property rights. In addition, in this Quarter PRP commenced grassroots activities on women’s property rights to complement its media campaign and launched a pilot program of activities in Viti/Vitina municipality designed to help municipal administrations improve their practices and procedures related to property rights and enable their citizens to exercise their property rights more easily and efficiently.

Objective 1: Better Coordination and Policy Priorities

WORK ON NATIONAL STRATEGY ON PROPERTY RIGHTS ADVANCING ON SCHEDULE. During this Quarter, PRP continued to move forward on schedule the development of the National Strategy on Property Rights: the Thematic Working Groups completed their work and the five Concept Notes, which will constitute the substantive basis of the National Strategy, were given final review by the Core Technical Group. PRP has finalized them. In addition, PRP prepared a first draft of the narrative core of the National Strategy – the “Zero” Draft – which provides strategic direction to the National Strategy and lays out its policy priorities. By the end of this Quarter, PRP had begun work to develop a first full draft of the National Strategy.

PRAISE FOR PRP’S EMPHASIS ON INCLUSION AND COORDINATION. PRP continued to cooperate closely and constructively with the EU-funded Civil Code and Property Rights Project (CCPR). The two projects met together each month this Quarter with the MoJ to exchange current information. PRP provided the draft Concept Notes to CCPR for comment, and CCPR has provided its Progress Reports to PRP to ensure that the positions and approaches taken in the National Strategy will be in harmony with CCPR’s vision of the Civil Code. In addition, PRP attended all meetings of CCPR’s Steering Committee.

The team of independent evaluators to assess CCPR praised the level of coordination and cooperation between the two projects as a model to be emulated by other EU projects, and also gave high praise to the inclusive approach taken in developing the National Strategy and urged that the follow-on EU project to develop the Civil Code take a similar approach. Furthermore, at the visibility event held in connection with the close-out of CCPR in June, First Deputy Prime Minister/Minister of Justice Kuçi praised USAID and PRP for its constructive cooperation with the MoJ and CCPR.

SUPPORT TO MOJ ON LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVE ON INHERITANCE. During this Quarter, PRP continued to work closely with the MoJ on significant legislative initiatives. Drawing on PRP’s comprehensive analysis of notary powers and practices in selected EU member states, which PRP provided to the MoJ in the previous quarter to inform the MoJ’s policy decisions as it finalizes the draft Law on Notary, at the MoJ’s request PRP has drafted revisions to a package of laws to create procedural safeguards to help address challenges women often face in connection
with inheritance – being omitted as heirs on the Act of Death; and being expected, and sometimes forced, to renounce their inheritance in favor of male heirs. The revisions are also designed to clarify the legal authority of the courts and notaries, respectively, with respect to non-contested inheritance proceedings. This package of revisions will be translated into Albanian and provided to the MoJ in the first weeks of the next quarter. PRP is also supporting the MoJ on drafting the Concept Document for the Law on Construction Land.

Objective 2: Improved Court Procedures Related to Property Claims

INSTRUMENT DEVELOPED FOR GATHERING CASEFLOW DATA. During this Quarter, PRP worked closely with the IT Department of the KJC to review together the Kosovo Judicial Council (KJC) Case Registration System (the Database) and identify the specific modifications that would be needed in order for PRP to use the Database in PRP’s initiative to analyze the caseflow management of property and other civil cases in the four Courts of Merit (CoMs). (The analysis of the caseflow of pending civil cases was identified as the next necessary step for identifying and developing interventions in the courts’ caseflow management of property cases. See PRP’s Report, “Caseflow Management for Property Rights Cases in the Basic Courts,” which was submitted to USAID and the KJC in December 2015 and which describes the objectives of this work and the methodology for carrying it out.)

Although PRP’s initial review of the Database, which was conducted by local STTA, suggested that it would be feasible to modify the Database for this purpose (which initial conclusions were presented in PRP’s report, “A Review of the Feasibility of Modifying the KJC Case Registration System to Support Proposed Reforms in Caseflow Management;” PRP’s subsequent hands-on review indicated that it would not be practicable to undertake modification of the Database, because it would require an indeterminate, but likely considerable, expenditure of time and money to do so. Those findings, coupled with reports that the Case Management Information System, which was being developed for the Kosovo courts with Norwegian donor funding, would be introduced in an introductory trial form in September 2016, led both PRP and the KJC IT Department to decide not to proceed with the modification.

In view of this development, PRP thereupon designed and developed an Excel spreadsheet that has been tailored to support data-gathering on caseflow management in the four courts.  In reaching this decision, PRP consulted with USAID CLE on its experience in using an Excel spreadsheet for tracking the enforcement of judgments, as was suggested by USAID.

It should be noted that, in view of its final determination not to modify the Database for its own purposes, PRP did not finalize its preliminary report on the Database to reflect USAID’s comments, since that report was premised on the view that PRP would modify and use the Database for PRP’s caseflow management initiative.

DATA-GATHERING IN COM’S COMMENCED BY PRP CASEFLOW MANAGEMENT STAFF. In this Quarter, PRP completed hiring procedures for three Court Record Management Specialists (CRMs) to work in the Basic Courts of Gjilan/Gnjilane, Ferizaj/Uroševac and Pejë/Peć to gather caseflow management data. The CRMs have been introduced to the judges of their respective courts and have been successfully integrated into those courts.  PRP provided training to the CRMs on the Excel spreadsheet and the CRMs have commenced gathering data on pending civil cases.

MAKING JUDICIAL PRACTICE IN PROPERTY LAW MORE CONSISTENT, UNIFORM AND PREDICTABLE. During this Quarter PRP began compiling and analyzing decisions of the Court of Appeals involving property and civil law claims, to identify problematic legal issues facing the lower courts in adjudicating such matters and identify inconsistencies in their application of the law.  Results of this analysis will be used to develop recommendations to help courts improve the adjudication of such claims and to make their practice more consistent and predictable.

ADDITIONAL TOPICS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT ON MINORITIES’ PROPERTY RIGHTS. In the previous quarter PRP submitted to USAID drafts of two additional and comprehensive analytical reports – “Informality in the Land Sector: The Issue of Delayed Inheritance in Kosovo” and “Issues Affecting the Ability of Members of Minority Communities in Kosovo to Exercise Their Property Rights.” The first of the two reports presents PRP’s analysis of and proposed solutions for the challenges posed by the fact that many land records are registered in the name of deceased persons. The second of the two reports presents findings and recommendations related to issues faced by displaced persons and members of minority communities in connection with their property rights.

After receiving comments from USAID on both reports, in this Quarter PRP revised them accordingly and submitted revised versions to USAID. USAID has approved the report on delayed inheritance. As for the report on minorities’ property rights, USAID has accepted the report but has requested that the report be expanded to include two additional topics – the challenges facing minorities in connection with actions taken by the Kosovo Privatization Agency and in taking part in judicial proceedings. PRP will complete this additional research and finalize the report during the next quarter.

Objective 3: Enhanced Women’s Rights to Use Property in Practice

MEDIA CAMPAIGN EXPANDED. This Quarter saw an expansion of PRP’s media campaign on women’s property rights. Additional public service announcements were released for dissemination through TV, radio and social media; and the media coverage given to the campaign was extended to include local TV and radio stations in both Albanian and Serb communities. Anecdotal accounts indicate that the campaign is generating discussion within Kosovo society.

NATIONAL GRASS-ROOTS CAMPAIGN COMMENCED. PRP has begun a number of activities designed to bring the campaign on women’s property rights to local communities using a variety of means and approaches. In this connection, PRP has also made preparations for a launch event for its national grassroots campaign, which will be held in Viti/Vitina on July 19 with the US Ambassador scheduled to attend.

SUPPORT FOR ABILITY OF SPOUSES TO REGISTER PROPERTY JOINTLY. PRP has provided a range of support for the development of the Administrative Instruction (AI) to allow spouses to register property jointly. Following on PRP’s previous support to the Agency for Gender Equality (AGE) in drafting the AI and consulting with other relevant government bodies, such as the Kosovo Cadastral Agency and the Ministry of Finance, during this Quarter PRP produced an animated video public service announcement, with Albanian and Serbian versions, that is being broadcast on Kosovo TV to inform the public that spouses can now register property jointly. The animated video was unveiled at the round-table on the AI that was sponsored by the AGE and chaired by the Prime Minister, with remarks by USAID Mission Director James Hope.

PRP’S OUTREACH TO JOURNALISTS PRODUCES MORE WELL-INFORMED COVERAGE OF PROPERTY RIGHTS ISSUES. PRP and the MoJ conducted a roundtable for journalists to give them a better understanding of the property rights issues confronting Kosovo today and of the measures being taken to address them in the National Strategy. The roundtable gave the journalists a heightened interest and deeper comprehension of the subject and of how these problems are creating difficulties for citizens in their daily lives. This was evidenced by an increase in coverage of property rights issues in the national media.

Objective 4: Improved Communication, Access to Information and Understanding of Property Rights

RESEARCH AND FIELD WORK COMMENCED IN MUNICIPALITY. During this Quarter PRP began to implement in Viti/Vitina PRP’s action plan of activities to promote reforms at the municipal level. These activities entail desk research and on-site interviews with officials and citizens to identify ways to improve the delivery to citizens of municipal services related to property rights. PRP developed the action plan in close cooperation with the Viti/Vitina municipal administration.

To bolster the close ties developed with Viti/Vitina and to draw the attention of the local community to PRP’s public outreach on women’s property rights, PRP also conducted a children’s art activity in Viti/Vitina that was followed by a press conference featuring the Viti/Vitina Mayor and USAID, as is planning to hold the launch event for its national grassroots campaign in Viti/Vitina in July 2016.

USAID’s Property Rights Program (PRP) is a four-year activity that aims to address the property rights challenges and to develop a plan for the stabilization of the property rights regime in Kosovo. The program will work in partnership with the Government of Kosovo (GOK), selected municipalities and other relevant local and international stakeholders. USAID has allocated $8.5 million for the implementation of the Property Rights Program.

HIGHLIGHTS FOR YEAR ONE

Objective 1: Better Coordination and Policy Priorities

• Establishment of MOU with CCPR – USAID emphasized early on the importance that PRP coordinate and collaborate closely with the European Union (EU) funded Support to the Civil Code and Property Rights (CCPR) Project, to coordinate their efforts to assist the Government of Kosovo to develop its property rights reform strategy and improve the legal framework governing property.  On December 12, 2014, the USAID/Kosovo Mission Director witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the PRP and the CCPR that establishes the basis for their collaboration.  The MOU provides that PRP will lead donor and line ministry coordination to support development of strategy for reforming property rights and will contribute to CCPR legislative drafting by providing technical analysis of substantive property law and by developing secondary legislation to strengthen the property rights of women and members of minority communities.  The MOU also recognizes PRP’s role to lead development of improved court procedures to improve efficiency of court processes and enforce property rights of all Kosovars, especially the rights of women and members of minority communities.
• GoK Authorizes MOU to Lead Development of National Strategy on Property Rights – The MOU with the CCPR originally envisioned that PRP would facilitate coordination between government entities and donor partners to assist the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) to lead development of the National Strategy on Property Rights (Strategy). In response to a change in the CCPR’s scope, PRP and USAID agreed PRP would take the lead in providing substantive technical assistance to the MoJ to develop the Strategy. On May 20, 2015, after extensive advocacy by PRP, the Government of Kosovo (GoK) issued its decision authorizing the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) to draft the Strategy and include it on the Government’s Annual Work Plan. The GoK decision also provided the MoJ with the authorization to form the Property Rights Sector Working Group (SWG). The SWG is chaired by the Ministry of Justice and is comprised of over 80 government and donor stakeholders. The SWG monitors the development of the Strategy, and will validate its contents and officially present the Strategy to the Government when ready.
• Establishment of Structures for the National Strategy: CTG and TWGs – With the GoK authorization in place, PRP assisted the MoJ to identify and secure membership of stakeholders to the Core Technical Group (CTG), which is responsible for leading the development of the Strategy.  The CTG is comprised of representatives from key line ministries and the CCPR and PRP projects.  The CTG has appointed Thematic Working Groups (TWGs) on an ad hoc basis to provide guidance for drafting specific components of the Strategy.
• Two-Day National Stakeholder Workshop on Property Rights – PRP worked closely with the MoJ’s Director of the Department of European Integration and Policy Coordination and a team of MoJ staff to plan and organize a two-day national stakeholder workshop to launch the development of the Strategy.  The workshop, which was entitled “Kosovo’s National Strategy on Property Rights: Identifying Key Thematic Pillars Clustering a Wide Range of Property Rights Challenges,” was held on June 22-23, 2015.  The workshop also served as the initial session of the SWG.  The workshop successfully obtained stakeholder consensus on the topics and issues to be addressed in the Strategy.  The Minister of Justice stated that his top priorities are the development of the National Strategy on Property Rights, along with a clear action plan for its implementation, and the development a new Civil Code.  He expressed his gratitude to the participants, noting that the high rate of diverse participation set a high standard for an inclusive process over the coming months to develop the Strategy. The USAID Mission Director was also present at this event.
• Development of an Issues Document on Property Rights – In advance of the workshop, PRP and MoJ developed an Issues Document that was distributed to workshop participants. The document clustered the property rights challenges into five (5) Thematic Pillars.  Under each Pillar, key challenges were summarized, implications discussed and strategic considerations listed to guide stakeholder discussion during the workshop. These pillars support three aspirational objectives: to strengthen the rule of law, promote economic development, and support Euro-Atlantic integration.
• Commenced Development of Concept Notes for National Strategy – PRP conducted a tender and awarded a sub-contract to Strategy & Development Consulting (S&D) to develop five analytical Concept Notes, aligned with the five technical clusters presented in the Issues Document, to inform the drafting of the National Strategy.  The Concept Notes will present research and analysis and provide detailed recommendations on the specific actions that need to be taken to change property rights policy, law, and practice to achieve the National Strategy’s reform objectives.

Objective 2: Improved Court Procedures Related to Property Claims

• Selection of Four Courts of Merit – PRP facilitated a participatory process with the Kosovo Judicial Council (KJC) to select four Courts of Merit to work with the PRP to develop, pilot, and test court procedures to enable the courts to adjudicate property claims and disputes more efficiently and ensure that women’s rights to inherit property are fully enforced.  In consultation with the KJC, the presiding judges of the seven basic courts, and the presiding judge of the court of appeals, the Basic Courts of Peja, Gjilan, and Ferizaj and the Branch Court in Sterpce were selected as the Courts of Merit.
• Development of a Court Strengthening Action Plan – In May 2015, PRP developed a Court Strengthening Action Plan to guide development of activities under Objective 2.  The Action Plan was built on a strategy to reduce the number of property-related claims that are resolved under the Law on Contested Procedure.  A number of procedural requirements have been identified in this law that creates case flow bottlenecks that contribute to case backlogs.  Additionally, a significant number of all properties recorded in the cadastre are registered in the name of deceased persons and, therefore, do not convey clear title to land. Because inheritance proceedings are required to convey rights from the deceased to living heirs, the Action Plan also provides for a strategic approach to develop more streamlined inheritance procedures to address this inter-generational inheritance issue.  To begin to implement the Action Plan, PRP engaged a Differentiated Case Management (DCM) expert to conduct a closed-case study of property related cases in the four PRP supported Courts of Merit to produce accurate, empirical data of the specific substantive and procedural caseflow issues that constrain efficient resolution of property claims in the courts.
• Comprehensive Analysis of Caseflow Management for Property Rights Cases in Basic Courts – PRP completed a comprehensive analysis of caseflow management for property cases in the four Courts of Merit and presented its findings to USAID in its Report entitled “Caseflow Management for Property Rights Cases in the Basic Courts.”  PRP designed and applied the DCM methodology mentioned above to develop substantive and procedural data elements with which to disaggregate and analyze court procedures to process and resolve property cases in order to formulate recommendations to improve efficiency and court performance.  PRP applied this analysis to a total of 1,276 property rights cases that were filed and disposed within a 30-month period (2013-2015).  The Report served as the basis for further analysis that has produced an action plan to improve caseflow management in Kosovo courts.
• Judicial Training Needs Assessment – PRP commissioned an assessment of the Kosovo Judicial Institute’s (KJI) judicial training curricula on property rights.  PRP and the KJI held a working session with a focus group of 8 judges to identify and discuss judges’ and lawyers’ professional needs with respect to substantive knowledge of property law and practical skills.  The discussion also covered possible ways to meet those needs, e.g., through training, developing a bench guide and other strategies.  The assessment confirmed that the legal framework governing property rights is contradictory and confusing for judges; and that the judges lack guidance on adjudicating property cases owing to a lack of a bench book providing guidance on best practices, a lack of published case law, and a lack of continuing professional training.  The assessment also noted the need to change judges’ attitudes and behaviors with respect to gender-related matters. PRP is working closely with the KJI to agree and begin implementing the assessment’s recommendations, prioritizing the development of training modules on property rights, improving judges’ understanding of gender issues and the constraints women face in implementing their rights in practice, training on improved case management practices when developed, and the development of a bench book to provide guidance to judges on property rights cases.

Objective 3: Enhance Women’s Rights to Use Property in Practice

• Publication of Major Gender Assessment – On April 22, 2015, PRP presented to stakeholders the “Gender, Property, and Economic Opportunity in Kosovo” report produced by an expert consultant, Dr. Sandra Joireman.  The report identified and discussed cultural attitudes and behaviors that result in women being pressured to renounce their rights to inherit property; administrative constraints that prevent women from exercising their rights in practice; and how the frustration of these rights negatively impacts economic development in Kosovo.  In response to the report’s findings, the Minister of Justice created a legislative working group and publically stated his commitment to supporting development of legal safeguards to protect women from being pressured to renounce their rights to inherit property.
• Publication of a National Baseline Survey for Property Rights in Kosovo – On June 10, 2015, PRP organized an event to present empirical baseline data from the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) survey it conducted to facilitate discussion among relevant stakeholders about the public’s knowledge and cultural attitudes and behaviors surrounding women’s rights to inherit property.  The meeting was attended by over 50 stakeholders, including representatives from local CSOs, government agencies, and donor projects.  The meeting validated the findings of the KAP survey and helped inform PRP’s development of further activities to put in place legal safeguards that will afford women the opportunity to exercise their property rights on an informed and deliberate basis.  Furthermore, the data were repurposed and presented as trigger messages that have been periodically posted on USAID/Kosovo’s website and social media to reach a wider audience with empirical data on citizens’ perceptions and the ability of women to exercise their property rights in practice.
• Establishment of the Gender Coordination Group – To improve coordination among government agencies and civil society organizations implementing activities that promote equality for women, PRP established the Gender Coordination Group (GCG).  The first GCG meeting was held on June 2, 2015, that saw the development of its Mission Statement, Coordination Action Plan and Learning Agenda.  The group has prioritized legislative changes needed to strengthen women’s ability to exercise their property rights.  PRP also worked closely with the Agency for Gender Equality to develop administration instructions (AIs) creating financial incentives for joint registration of property.
• Support to Engagement for Equity Implementing Partner – Since February 2015, PRP has been providing capacity assessment and capacity building support to the USAID Engagement for Equity (E4E) implementing partner, Advocacy Training & Resource Center (ATRC), to assist ATRC to begin issuing and administering grants under the E4E mechanism.  PRP provided training to ATRC on USAID grant-making procedures, systems, and planning processes throughout the entire grants cycle.  Additionally, ATRC received assistance to develop RFA topics that were designed to support PRP’s program objectives related to public education, outreach, and advocacy activities to improve women’s access to property rights in practice.  With PRP support, ATRC has successfully executed its first round of grant making, has set up its rapid response grant mechanism, and is preparing its second ground of grant-making.  PRP is providing continued support to ATRC by recommending specific improvements to their current organizational policy manual and incorporating USAID-specific requirements in managing a Cooperative Agreement.

Objective 4: Improved Communication, Access to Information and Understanding of Property Rights

• Proposal for G2G Activity – PRP has designed a detailed proposal for government-to-government (G2G) support to select municipalities.  The initiative is designed to address the problem that land records in Kosovo are often incomplete and outdated (as noted above in regards to inter-generational cases), which means that many citizens lack clear title to their land.  This situation often impedes the smooth handling of inheritance matters and makes it difficult for courts to adjudicate land rights claims.  These factors in turn seriously impair the development of a healthy private land market and the effective use of public land.  PRP’s proposal builds upon and further develops the GIS applications developed by the EU-funded ‘Implementation and Enforcement of Rural Spatial Planning (IRuSP) project to link archived land records to parcel maps to provide information required by courts to adjudicate rights and municipal offices to improve their data sharing practices.
• Municipal Selection Process Completed – PRP designed and carried out a multi-phased and transparent selection process for identifying the municipalities most eligible to receive USAID Forward G2G assistance.  The project used objective performance criteria, including the collection of performance data on Own Source Revenue; the number and type of regulations produced by the municipality to provide citizens with property-related services; the publication of audit reports and the publication of transactions involving municipal property assets as required by law.  Through these and other criteria, including their participation in informational workshops held by PRP, the project evaluated proposals from the 11 top-scoring municipalities and provided its recommendations to USAID.

The Land Governance Support Activity (LGSA) supports the establishment of more effective land governance systems, ready to implement comprehensive reforms to improve equitable access to land and security of tenure, so as to facilitate inclusive sustained growth and development, ensure peace and security, and provide sustainable management of the environment. Tetra Tech and partners Landesa, Namati, CDR Associates (CDR), Sustainable Development Institute (SDI), and Parley form a collaborative team providing technical and organizational assistance to the Government of Liberia (GOL), civil society, and communities in their land rights reform process.

Throughout the Year 1 work plan, LGSA made the assumption that the Land Rights Bill and Liberia Land Authority Bill would be passed in a timely fashion. While the Land Authority Bill passed the Senate in April it did not pass the House until late September. No action has been taken on the Land Rights Bill as the Legislature has now adjourned and will only reconvene in January 2017. The Land Commission’s mandate expired in early January 2016 and in late March was replaced by an Interim Land Task Force (ILTF) appointed by the President to institutionally bridge the gap between the Land Commission and the Liberia Land Authority. LGSA has updated its risk analysis and mitigation table in Section 1 to reflect the changing situation.

Delays in the legislative agenda have not had a significant impact on LGSA’s ability to continue project activities and meet the Year 1 objectives. In January 2016 LGSA consultant John Bruce completed his analysis of the legal reform process surrounding the land sector which reviewed the experiences of the Land Commission during its lifetime, but also developed a prioritization strategy for future policy, legal, and regulatory reform. LGSA completed institutional audits of the principle entities to be consolidated into the new Liberia Land Authority: the former Land Commission and Land Coordination Centers (LCCs), the Center for National Documents and Records Agency (CNDRA), the Department of Land, Surveys and Cartography of the Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy, and the County Land Commissioners of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. At the request of the ILTF, LGSA also prepared a draft transition plan for the Liberia Land Authority. LGSA, in consultation with the ILTF, developed a learning agenda comprised of seven studies to broaden the understanding of issues surrounding customary land with the work focusing on the process of negotiating boundaries and boundary harmonization, an impact assessment of the establishment of community governance structures under previous People, Rules, and Organizations Supporting the Protection of Ecosystem Resources (PROSPER), SDI, and Land Commission activities, women’s land rights, the determination of community membership, and the economics of livelihoods in areas impacted upon by concessions.

LGSA has also developed the necessary monitoring and evaluation tools for data collection, analysis, and reporting; finalized a draft of a communication strategy for the land sector reform agenda and project implementation and worked to re-establish the Women’s Land Task Force and the Association of Public Land Surveyors of Liberia (APLSUL).

Administratively, all senior, administrative, and technical project staff have been hired. Weekly general staff meetings are held to keep all project staff abreast of project activities. Weekly technical staff meetings are also held to ensure coordination of field activities both technically as well as logistically. Financial management, procurement, and administrative procedures are in place and continue to be followed.

The Land Reform Project in Tajikistan (LRPT) works with government stakeholders to reform policy and land legislation, provides legal assistance to farmers to improve legal aid, and builds capacity through training and outreach for lawyers, judges, and local government officials on land issues.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SECOND PROJECT YEAR

• Developed amendments to the Land Code as part of the Land Code Working Group and submitted final draft to the Government of Tajikistan (GoT)
• Completed draft to amend the Law on Dehkan Farms, supporting the efforts of the Dehkan Farm Working Group and receiving input through a public-private dialogue with farmers, legal aid center (LAC) lawyers, and local government authorities
• Assisted the Cooperatives Working Group to complete a draft Law on Cooperatives for submission to the GoT
• Awarded 10 grants to local organizations through a competitive process to serve as the project’s LACs during Year 2, providing training and legal services to farmers and rural citizens
• Carried out a comprehensive survey with the World Bank to gather data on farmers’ knowledge of their land use rights, the status of freedom to farm, and information seeking behaviors
• Conducted 12 public-private dialogues to bring a variety of stakeholders, including dehkan farmers and dehkan farm heads, into the reform process
• Trained more than 15,000 dehkan farmers and 2,445 local government officials on land use issues in their local communities
• Published 24 editions of the project newspaper with a circulation of 97,500 copies; nationally broadcasted 64 radio programs and 48 television shows
• Co-facilitated a half-day workshop on gender and land reform together with the World Bank and Helvetas/Swiss Development Corporation (SDC)

The Land Reform Project in Tajikistan (LRPT) works with government stakeholders to reform policy and land legislation, provides legal assistance to farmers to improve legal aid, and builds capacity through training and outreach for lawyers, judges, and local government officials on land issues.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FIRST PROJECT YEAR

• Led the Working Group on Structural and Land Reform’s preparation of a comprehensive set of proposed amendments to the Land Code that will create the framework for a market in land use rights;
• Advocated for amendments to the Law on Mortgage to introduce “truth in lending” provisions in line with international best practices;
• Prepared a legislative agenda for the Government of Tajikistan’s (GoT) Agricultural Reform Program that included a specific legislative road map for legislative development in 2011;
• Carried out four public-private dialogues to introduce public participation in land policy development and legislative drafting;
• USAID legal aid centers (LACs) successfully defended their clients in 17 out of 17 court cases with an additional seven cases pending;
• Provided more than 4,000 legal consultations in LAC offices and over 2,600 consultations directly in farmers’ fields on land-related legal issues;
• Conducted 300 local trainings in farmers’ fields on demand-driven topics with more than 5,000 participants;
• Developed and published the following informational brochures: Commentary on the Law on Dehkan Farms, Land Use Contracts for Dehkan Farms, the Reorganization and Creation of Dehkan Farms, and Legislation on Land Relations; and
• Informed farmers and the general public about land rights issues though nine editions of the project newspaper, 21 television programs, and 22 radio programs.

The purpose of the Ethiopia Land Administration to Nurture Development (LAND) program is to expand and extend two previously successful projects—Ethiopia Strengthening Land Tenure and Land Administration Program (ELTAP) implemented in 2005-2008 and Ethiopia Strengthening Land Administration Program (ELAP) implemented in 2008-2013 – financed by The United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/Ethiopia Mission and implemented by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and six regional states with technical assistance provided by Tetra Tech ARD. These projects helped strengthen rural land tenure security and women’s land use rights; encourage efficient land transactions; build capacity of federal and regional land administration agencies to improve service delivery and pilot cadastral surveying and certification methodologies to recognize and document rural land use rights.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

During the reporting period, LAND continued to make significant progress across all project components.

Under Component 1 (Improved legal and policy frameworks at national and local levels)

Bahir Dar University and Hawassa Universities submitted the final version of their assessments on the implementation of land administration and land use (LALU) laws for Amhara and SNNP National Regional States (NRSs) respectively. Both universities conducted validation workshops on their findings during the reporting period. Some 45 participants drawn from regional councils (parliaments), representatives of zonal administrations, land administration and use offices as well as other relevant sectors took part in each workshop.

LAND subcontractor, the Amhara Design and Supervision Works Enterprise, delivered the second draft of the Afar National Regional State pastoral communal land expropriation, valuation and compensation guidelines.

LAND has been advocating for an overarching and comprehensive national land use policy that provides a framework for a holistic, regulated, and integrated use of land to advance socio-economic development of the country.

The policy development process reached another milestone during the reporting period as the Prime Minister officially announced the country’s decision to develop a comprehensive national land use policy. The Prime Minister made the announcement at a high-level meeting held in his office on June 9, 2016. He said, “Land use policy is at the heart of all development endeavors that aim to bring about economic transformation. Our success in achieving the transformation depends on the effective use of our land according to its potential.” LAND will be responsible for developing the draft policy through a combination of in-house experts and independent consultants.

Under Component 2 (Strengthened capacity in national, regional, and local land administration and use planning)

LAND had engaged an Ethiopian consultant to provide the Ethiopian Mapping Agency (EMA) with technical assistance to rehabilitate and make fully operational its Continuously Operating Reference Station (CORS). The consultant assisted EMA to resolve telecommunication and power supply issues that hampered proper functioning of the CORS stations and trained 16 EMA and four Information Network Security Agency (INSA) staff in installing, operating and maintaining CORS.

The consultant has submitted the draft proposal on the expansion of geodetic network of the country based on CORS Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) on short-, medium- and long-term plans. EMA expressed its satisfaction on the project proposal. The consultant is incorporating minor comments provided to him by LAND and EMA staff and writing a report on the progress on EMA’s capacity building program supported by LAND. Upon receiving the final document, LAND will organize a one-day stakeholder workshop to discuss the proposal and the way forward.

Under Component 3 (Strengthened capacity of Ethiopian universities to engage in policy analysis and research related to land tenure and train land administration and land use professionals)

The first batch of 41 students enrolled in the Institute of Land Administration of Bahir Dar University’s
(ILA/BDU) in the summer M.Sc. program have commenced their thesis research work in their respective regions. They are expected to graduate in October 2016. The second group of 42 students have completed their first session at the ILA/BDU in August 2015 and have taken home assignments that they will complete before their second and final summer session in June-August 2016.

The grantees selected under LAND’s competitive grant scheme made satisfactory progress towards completing field research. On the spot monitoring visits were conducted by LAND experts. The visits along with desk reviews have confirmed that data collection activities are completed and analysis and report writing is in progress. WLRC has already conducted validation workshop in Dessie on 22-23 May, 2016 with the participation of 60 stakeholders representing federal, regional and woreda land administration officials and experts from Amhara and Tigray regional states including two staff members from LAND. Grant closeout procedures were discussed with grantees at meetings held with the leadership and principal investigators of each grantee.

Preparation for the 2016 Ethiopian Annual Land Conference by ETHIOLANDNET is in progress. All of the research grantees have committed themselves to present papers from their findings.

Under Component 4 (Strengthened community land rights in pastoral and agro-pastoral areas to facilitate market linkages and economic growth)

LAND organized a two-day meeting with the Afar Environmental Protection and Rural Land Administration and Use Agency (EPLAUA) staff on LAND’s Afar Action Plan and Formation of the Afar Regional Pastoral Advisory Committee (APAC) on May 11-12, 2016. LAND’’s presentations in the meeting included preparation of the Afar draft regulation for empowering community land governance; customary governance entities of pastoral landholdings; customary landholding boundaries to be demarcated, surveyed, registered and certified; public information and awareness (PIA) activities to be conducted in Chifra and Amibara woredas; key findings of the LAND Afar rapid assessment; and the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the Afar Regional APAC.

During the same meeting, the Afar Regional Pastoral Advisory Committee (APAC) was established and orientation on APAC’s roles and functions was provided. The woreda APACs were also formed in the two pilot woredas, Chifra and Amibara, in early June 2016. Both the regional and woreda APACs will meet quarterly on a regular basis.

The LAND team held four meetings with representatives of all the 18 rural kebeles by splitting them into 4 groups to discuss their preferred unit of certification of pastoral landholdings.

LAND drafted the manual on adjudication, demarcation, surveying and registration and certification of pastoral communal landholdings after incorporating the comments given at a consultative meeting that was held from February 23-24, 2016 at Awash town.

As part of preparatory works for surveying, demarcation and registration of pastoral landholdings in Chifra and Amibara woredas of Afar region, LAND obtained Spot5, Wv012 and Google earth images. The google maps of both woredas have been downloaded, geo-referenced, and mosaics were made in required resolution.