FAO launches global initiative to strengthen land tenure governance

This article was originally published on the FAO website: https://www.fao.org/land-water/news-archive/news-detail/en/c/1759031/

The Global Inception Workshop of the GEF‑funded project “Addressing tenure governance and gender equality in land rights to strengthen Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) initiatives” marked the start of a three‑year global effort to embed tenure security and gender‑equal land rights in support of Land Degradation Neutrality.

Held from 11 to 13 May at IFAD headquarters, the workshop brought together national executing partners from four countries: Kyrgyzstan (Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic; Kyrgyz Forest and Land Users Association), Paraguay (National Institute of Rural and Land Development – INDERT; Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development – MADES), South Sudan (Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development), and Sri Lanka (Ministry of Environment). Participants also included the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the project’s global executing organizations — the International Land Coalition (ILC), Landesa and TMG Think Tank for Sustainability — as well as strategic partners such as GIZ and UNCCD, alongside other initiatives working at the intersection of land tenure, gender equality and LDN.

Implemented by the FAO and funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the project aims to address a critical but often overlooked barrier to achieving Land Degradation Neutrality: the lack of secure and gender‑equitable land tenure. By strengthening tenure governance and women’s land rights, the initiative seeks to create enabling conditions for more inclusive, effective and sustainable land restoration and management strategies at   global, regional and national levels.

Building a shared vision for implementation

Designed as a highly interactive and collaborative space, the Global Inception Workshop focused on building a shared understanding of the project’s vision, theory of change and implementation approach.

Participants explored how tenure security and gender equality can be systematically integrated into LDN initiatives, and discussed the project’s first key deliverables, including assessment tools, learning products, a communication framework and the monitoring and evaluation approach. Particular emphasis was placed on fostering dialogue, strengthening networks and positioning participants as champions and ambassadors of the project who can amplify its results within their respective institutions and regions.

Strengthening partnerships across regions and sectors

By bringing together global organizations, national executing and strategic partners, the workshop helped lay out the foundations for strong collaboration across regions and institutional mandates. Participants exchanged perspectives on current challenges and opportunities in aligning land tenure governance, gender equality and LDN objectives, and identified areas for joint action and coordination going forward.

Looking ahead

The Global Inception Workshop represented the first key milestone in positioning the project within the broader ecosystem of LDN, tenure and gender initiatives. Building on the momentum generated in Rome, project partners will now move forward with implementation at global and national levels, supported by strengthened networks, shared ownership and a common vision for transformative impact.