How to Develop a Pro-poor Land Policy - Process, Guide and Lessons

Developing new land policies can be a long and difficult process. It is even more so if the policies are to be pro-poor – if they are to help correct the disadvantages that poor people typically suffer in many areas of land policy.

This guide suggests a way forward. Based on experience in various countries in Asia and Africa, it is not a recipe-book, but outlines a process that can be adapted as appropriate to the situation in each country and the specific aspect of land policy that needs to be addressed. This process is participatory: it involves a wide range of stakeholders from all aspects of land policy, including civil society and the poor themselves. Including all these groups is vital if the resulting policies are to be politically acceptable, technically feasible, pro-poor and capable of being enforced.

This guide is intended for Ministers and senior policymakers responsible for land issues, donors, professionals, consultants, and NGOs involved in developing land policies.