1. Toolkit for the Gender-Sensitive Implementation and Monitoring of the Tenure Guidelines (VGGTs)
Presented by Catherine Gatundu, ActionAid International
World Bank Land Conference – March 22, 2017

2. Contents Introduction to ActionAid’s work on Land
VGGT Assessment Toolkit Initiative
VGGT Toolkit initiative aims
Structure and contents of the tools
Status of testing – currently underway
Future plans
Questions for feedback

3. Actionaid involvement
Federation of 47 countries
Human Rights Based approach: solidarity, empowerment, campaigning and proffering alternatives
Addressing structural issues with women and smallholders farmers
increased capacity, awareness and knowledge
policy engagement all levels
collective actions, campaigns
fundamental change of attitude on women’s secure access and control over land .

4. Theory of change active agency of people living in poverty
women, and small holder farmers claim and enjoy security of tenure to the land they depend on leading to enjoyment of other rights.
small holder farmers and rural women have increased capacity, awareness and knowledge of their rights; collective actions, effective laws which promote women’s right to land.
fundamental change of attitude on Women’s ownership and control over land by leaders and family members

5. ActionAid #LandFor Campaign
Objectives
Challenge and reduce the incentives that fuel land grabs
Women and communities’ rights to land are secured and advanced through the existence and implementation of just land laws and an effective governance system.
We will support women and communities across the world to resist land grabs and to defend and claim their land rights
25 Countries involved

6. Key reports
Act On It: 4 key steps to stop land grabs : (recommendations for actualizing VGGTs) (May 2015)
New Alliance, New Risks of Land Grabs in Malawi, Nigeria, Senegal and Tanzania (June 2015)
The bitter taste of sugar: sugar in Cambodia (May 2015)
Contract farming and outgrower schemes: briefing (March 2015)
Take action – Stop EcoEnergy’s land grab in Bagamoyo: sugar in Tanzania (March 2015)
The Great Land Heist: global overview (May 2014)
Building back better: industrial park land grab in Haiti (January 2015)
No Land No Future: agribusiness land grab in Senegal (October 2014)
From Marginalisation to empowerment: experiences from women’s land rights programmes in Sierra Leone, Guatemala and India (april 2013) .

7. Context for Toolkit initiative
Growing policy recognition of the centrality of tenure security for a range of global development goals
Voluntary Guidelines on the Governance of Tenure (VGGT) adopted 2012
Reinforced in other policy frameworks
African Union Framework & Guidelines on Land Policy
Sustainable Development Goals – includes targets on land to achieve SDGs on poverty, food security and gender equality
Need tracking tools accessible to local rights-holders

8. VGGT Toolkit initiative aims
Monitor country implementation of the VGGTs with a focus on women and small-scale food producers and local communities
Incorporate a community empowerment and capacity building dimension to enhance communities’ understanding of the VGGTS (and AU-F&G) and build their capacity to advocate for implementation
Build understanding of how high-income countries are supporting and aligning actions with the VGGTs
Enable concise presentation of results, including as a basis for cross-country comparison, and for tracking changes over time
Link to other VGGT assessment processes

9. Toolkit contains 3 tools
Tool 1 records the policy and legal framework currently in place, and related actions for their implementation
Tool 2 assesses awareness and outcomes from the perspective of communities - how legal and administrative frameworks are realized on the ground
Too1 3 assesses the actions of high-income countries in supporting and aligning overseas actions with the VGGT principles

10. Main focus
All three tools are organized around six principles identified by ActionAid is central to VGGT implementation:
Inclusive multi-stakeholder platforms
Recognition of customary rights and informal tenure
Gender equality
Protection from land grabs
Effective land administration
Conflict resolution mechanisms

11. Organization of the Tools
Each tool contains 1-2 (meta) Indicators for each of the 6 Principles, questions to guide the analysis, and a scoring scale (0-1-2 – to be presented as red-yellow-green)
Principle 1
Guiding Questions
Sliding Scale
Indicator 1.1
Indicator 1.2
Principle 2
Indicator 2.1
Indicator 2.2
The results of the assessment are presented in a scorecard, including a summary of the evidence and analysis for each Indicator, and the score

12. Example Indicators
Principle 2: Recognition of customary and informal tenure rights
Tool 1
[Policy & Legal Frameworks]
[Implementation measures]
State has adopted policy and legal frameworks to recognize indigenous peoples and other communities with customary tenure systems
2.2 Formal recognition of customary tenure is implemented and protected
Tool 2
[Awareness]
[Outcomes]
Target groups are aware of their individual and/or communal land rights and the state’s protection
Target groups can access and control land and public commons under customary tenure systems
Tool 3
[Aid policies & support]
[Investment safeguards]
Government aid policies and programs include provisions to support customary and informal tenure rights and ensure against infringements
Government investment policies include requirements to respect customary tenure and guard against infringements

13. Pilot testing - underway
Country assessments in
Senegal, The Gambia (Tools 1 & 2)
Netherlands, Australia (Tool 3)
Primary methodologies:
Desk study combined with peer/stakeholder review for Tools 1 & 3
Participatory workshops
And peer reviews?

14. Some emerging issues/reflections
From country studies
Gaps between policy, implementation measures and outcomes at community level
Limited safeguards for LSLA in host and investing countries
Inadequate registration of customary tenure rights

15. Some emerging issues/reflections
From use of the tools
Requires dedicated time/team and effective peer review process
Broad scope of some (meta) indicators
Will need to conduct larger number of (alligned) assessments to have a basis for comparisons
qualitative analysis is primary; Scoring tool for analysis rather than focus on quantitative outcomes
Comparison would be interesting but requires clear methodological guidance in each country.

16. Anticipated next steps
Complete pilot testing
Peer review and learning
Prepare a synthesis report – presenting the tools and experience with first round of testing
Revise and adapt tools – including to promote links and collaboration with other VGGT/tenure assessment processes
Conduct another round of (comparative) assessments in additional countries in bi-annual cycles- many countries and partners interested

17. Questions for discussion
Comments on the VGGT Toolkit objectives or approach?
Feedback on the organization of the Tools?
Other related tools and opportunities for synergies?
Interests to collaborate (e.g., in pilot assessments)?

18. Learn more
Contact: Catherine Gatundu. International Policy and campaign Manager Check for earlier and upcoming report?

19. Thank you!