This collection brings together practical tools, guides, and resources for land researchers, practitioners, policymakers, civil-society organizations, community partners, and others working to strengthen land and resource tenure security around the world.
The resources featured here offer guidance on land-based programming and on development, climate, agriculture, conservation, governance, and investment initiatives that include land and resource tenure considerations. They are intended to help users understand key concepts, design more responsible and inclusive programs, support evidence-based decision-making, and apply recognized principles for equitable land and resource governance.
Many of the tools currently available in this section were originally developed through U.S. government-funded initiatives, including USAID-supported work. TenureSecurity.org is preserving and sharing these materials because they remain useful to a global community of researchers and practitioners. Over time, this collection will expand to include tools, guidance, and practical resources from a wider range of institutions, regions, disciplines, and community-based sources.
Tools
Mobile Applications to Secure Tenure (MAST) Learning Platform
USAID’s Mobile Applications to Secure Tenure (MAST) is a collaborative, participatory approach that builds sustainable local capacity to efficiently map resource rights and secure land tenure. The approach is inclusive and promotes participation and leadership of women and other marginalized groups in project activities. It is technology-agnostic; the approach can be combined with many types of mobile tools, including USAID’s open-source MAST application.
Intimate Partner Violence and Land Toolkit
This Toolkit supports the objectives of the United States Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence Globally and USAID’s Gender Equality and Female Empowerment Policy. It addresses activities and projects that USAID staff may design to strengthen and secure land tenure, property rights and land governance in rural, peri-urban and urban areas.
Guidelines
Guidelines on Compulsory Displacement and Resettlement in USAID Programming
The Guidelines describe good practices regarding compulsory displacement and resettlement (CDR). This voluntary tool is intended for use by USAID Operating Units and their partners at all stages of the program cycle, whether for implementation of activities or as a good practice guide for project design.
Operational Guidelines for Responsible Land-Based Investment
The Operational Guidelines for Responsible Land-Based Investment are now available as an e-book for tablets and e-readers. USAID is increasingly partnering with the private sector through efforts such as the New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition (New Alliance). Some of these initiatives, particularly in the agriculture sector, involve land-based investments in countries where land governance is weak.
Available Tools and Resources
These toolkits can provide useful information for development practitioners related to programming challenges around cross-sector issues, including conflict, gender and natural resource management.