Fair and secure access to land and water is vital to maintain or improve the well-being of rural populations. But in many places around the world, people’s land access is threatened by commercial or speculative land acquisitions. While investment in land is important for development, it must be made sustainable – benefitting local populations rather than contradicting their interests.
Together with others, CDE works on behalf of transparent information and fairer access to land. To this end, its scientists have developed global information systems on land deals as well as national-level data platforms. They create tools for participatory mapping and study issues of joint resource management – such as land use cooperatives for grazing areas.
