When land rights are clear and recognised, people feel more secure. They are more willing to invest, use their land productively and make plans for the future. This supports food security, creates economic opportunities and helps prevent conflict. At the same time, it gives local governments a stronger foundation for land administration, taxation, spatial planning and service delivery.
The rol of local governments
VNG International works with local governments to strengthen land governance in a practical and context-specific way. Local governments play a central role in land governance, although their responsibilities differ from country to country. In many cases, local authorities are involved in land use planning, land allocation, land administration and resolving local land disputes. They may also support land registration, collect land-related taxes, protect vulnerable groups and help translate national land policies into practice at the local level.
Our approach
Better land governance grows out of stronger institutions, clear responsibilities, good coordination and sufficient local capacity. That is why we work across the whole system. We support local authorities and other land actors in improving the way land is administered, regulated and managed. We do this through technical assistance, training, peer-to-peer exchange and institutional development. The aim is always to help turn laws and policies into workable solutions that function in daily local practice.
A key part of our approach is strengthening the link between national, regional and local levels of government. Land governance only works well when these levels cooperate effectively. Local authorities need a clear mandate, practical procedures and the capacity to carry out their tasks. At the same time, national reforms are more effective when they are informed by local realities.
We also support the implementation of land laws and regulatory frameworks. This can include strengthening land registration systems, land records and administrative procedures that improve transparency, consistency and accountability. Where relevant, we promote the use of digital tools and better data management to support decision-making, improve efficiency and strengthen local tax administration.
Inclusion and conflict prevention
Strong land governance must be inclusive. That is why we promote approaches that improve access to land and participation in decision-making for women and other groups whose land rights are often less secure. We support local mechanisms for citizen participation and community consultation, so that land-related decisions are better informed and enjoy broader legitimacy.
In contexts affected by land scarcity, population pressure or fragility, we also work on conflict prevention and resolution. This includes strengthening local mechanisms to handle land disputes in a fair, accessible and timely way, including alternative dispute resolution where appropriate.
Long-term impact
Our work focuses on practical solutions that last. We align our activities with national development plans and support approaches that can be scaled up or adapted elsewhere. In this way, improved land governance contributes not only to secure land rights, but also to stronger local institutions and more resilient communities.
Where we work
In countries such as Benin, Burundi, Togo, Malawi, DR Congo, South Sudan, Mozambique and Sierra Leone, we support land governance reforms at different levels. Across all these contexts, the focus remains the same: helping local governments play their role more effectively, so that land governance leads to secure rights, stronger institutions and resilient communities.