Platform Policy Brief

No. 10 // April 2014

target and indicators for the T Land Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Platform policy briefs outline the rationale for choosing a particular policy alternative or course of action in a current policy debate. They guide decisionmakers with their choices and advocate for a position Global Donor Platform for Rural Development Tackling rural poverty, together

// Recommendations
Given the centrality of responsible governance of tenure of land and other natural resources for sustainable development, the Global Donor Working Group on Land would like to reiterate that: The post-2015 agenda should include a target and related indicators on secure rights to land, property, and other assets that explicitly include womens rights. The Global Donor Working Group on Land is convinced that a dual land and property rights target as proposed by the High-Level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post-2015 Development Agenda in its report to the Secretary-General of the United Nations would be a very good outcome for the post-2015 development framework under a goal to eradicate extreme poverty, or under a goal to eradicate hunger and undernutrition and under a goal to achieve gender equality. Such an outcome would help the international community to focus on protecting the rights of the most vulnerable to achieve an inclusive, equitable and sustainable economic development and overcome poverty within our lifetime. It would support secure land and property rights for people who are extremely poor, undernourished, food insecure or at risk of being food insecure. It would also acknowledge the centrality of responsible land governance for sustainable development, while prioritizing benefits for women.

// Proposed target and indicators for inclusion in the SDG process

Members of the Global Donor Working Group on Land therefore strongly support the proposed target and indicators developed by the GLTN-facilitated Global Land Indicator Initiative, that via an open process and in cooperation with different stakeholders at various locations took the lead in stimulating informed discussions and consensus building, for consideration for the SDGs: Increase by XX% the number of women and the number of men who have secure tenure of land, property and natural resources that support their well-being and livelihoods This target addresses a range of challenges related to land rights in rural and urban settings by promoting gender equality and womens empowerment, acknowledging the existence of a continuum of land rights, and target adequately those most reliant on land-based resources. The target should be measured through the following key indicators which consider local contexts and allow aggregation at the global level:
Download This brief is available in PDF at donorplatform.org/publications. Hardcopies can be requested from the publishers at secretatriat@donorplatform.org

About the authors This policy brief was drafted by Christian Schulze (Platform secretariat), reflecting the views of the members of the Gobal Donor Working Group on Land.

Percentage of women and percentage of men with tenure that is legally recognised and documented Percentage of women and percentage of men who perceive their tenure is secure

Minimum data can be collected annually from a combination of sources, including administrative and census data, expert opinions, household surveys, perception surveys and other participatory methods. The language used for the proposed target and indicators is consistent with the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests, and the Framework and Guidelines for Land Policy in Africa and is therefore already globally agreed.

Platform Policy Brief I No. 10

// Entry points for land reflected in recommended focus areas of the SDGs

About the Global Donor Working Group on Land In 2013 the Global Donor Working Group on Land was initiated to support enhanced delivery on improved land governance in a climate of heightened attention, need and awareness of existing challenges and lessons. The groups first work plan comprises four priorities: 1. Exchange information, help to coordinate, and, where possible, bring together work to develop a global indicator framework on land governance, e.g. to feed into CFS reporting on VGGT implementation, in particular by showcasing successful country efforts 2. Develop, launch and ensure regular updates for a new donor programme database 3. Coordinate views and inputs into the global debate on a post-2015 agenda for land and property rights and develop joint views wherever possible 4. Take forward new G8-facilitated partnerships on land announced in 2013, coordinate work with others, seek synergies, added value and expand and deepen these partnerships where possible (also beyond G8) Further information and ToR www.donorplatform.org/land/ global-donor-working-grouponland.html

The Global Donor Working Group on Land welcomes that the 19 focus areas recommended by the Open Working Group (OWG) on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for further consideration, reflect the centrality of responsible governance of tenure of land and other natural resources for sustainable development. A future condensed set of focus areas should maintain this focus. Secure land tenure rights should be clearly spelled out and be clearly separated out. Targets and related indicators on secure rights to land, property, and other assets that explicitly include womens rights should be included under: Focus area 1. Poverty eradication, especially under d. access to property and productive assets, including associated rights, finance and markets for all women and men; OR Focus area 2. Sustainable agriculture, food security and nutrition, especially under i. enhancing adherence to internationally recognized guidelines on the responsible governance of tenure of land, fisheries and forests, including full consultation with local communities; j. improved access to credit and other financial services, land tenure, and agricultural extension services, for all, including smallholders, women, indigenous peoples and local communities; AND Focus area 5. Gender equality and womens empowerment e. equal access to assets and resources, including natural resources management;

// Conclusion
The Global Donor Working Group on Land welcomes that the 19 focus areas recommended by the Open Working Group (OWG) on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for further consideration, reflect the centrality of responsible governance of tenure of land and other natural resources for sustainable development. A future condensed set of focus areas should maintain this focus. Secure land tenure rights should be clearly spelled out and be clearly separated out.

About the Platform The Global Donor Platform for Rural Development is a network of 37 bilateral and multilateral donors, international financing institutions, intergovernmental organisations and development agencies. Members share a common vision that agriculture, rural development and food and nutrition security (ARD and FNS) are central to poverty reduction, and a conviction that sustainable and efficient development requires a coordinated global approach.

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