LAND GOVERNANCE SUPPORT ACTIVITY Technical Report FY19 Q2
January 1, 2019 – March 31, 2019
TECH
HUTH, TETRA HUTH, PHOTO CREDIT: MEGAN PHOTO
April 2019 This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development. It was prepared by Tetra Tech.
This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development by Tetra Tech, through the Liberia Land Governance Support Activity, Contract No: AID-OAA-I-12-00032, Task Order No: AID-669-TO-15-00003.
This report was prepared by: Tetra Tech 159 Bank Street, Suite 300 Burlington, Vermont 05401 USA Telephone: (802) 495-0282 Fax: (802) 658-4247 Email: [email protected]
Tetra Tech Contacts:
Yohannes Gebremedhin, Chief of Party [email protected]
Megan Huth, Project Manager [email protected]
ii LAND GOVERNANCE SUPPORT ACTIVITY FY19 QUARTER 2 REPORT (JANUARY - MARCH 2019)
LIBERIA LAND GOVERNANCE SUPPORT ACTIVITY FY19 Quarter 2 Technical Report January - March 2019
DISCLAIMER The author’s views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States Government. TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ...... V EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION ...... 4 2.0 FY19 QUARTER 2 ACTIVITIES ...... 5 2.1 SUPPORTING THE LIBERIA LAND AUTHORITY ...... 5 2.1.1 OPERATIONALIZATION OF THE LIBERIA LAND AUTHORITY ...... 5 2.1.2 DECENTRALIZATION OF THE LIBERIA LAND AUTHORITY ...... 9 2.2. CONDUCT ACTION RESEARCH AND DEVELOP A METHODOLGY FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LAND AUTHORITY ACT AND THE LAND RIGHTS POLICY ...... 9 2.2.1 DEVELOP, FIELD TEST, AND REVISE PROCESSES FOR CUSTOMARY LAND RIGHTS IMPLEMENTATION ...... 9 2.3 STRENGTHEN CIVIL SOCIETY, PRIVATE SECTOR, AND CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT IN LAND GOVERNANCE ...... 10 2.3.1 DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT PUBLIC INFORMATION CAMPAIGNS ...... 10 2.3.1 SUPPORT TO CIVIL SOCIETY ENGAGMENT IN LAND GOVERNACE ...... 12 2.3.2 DEVELOP AND MANAGE GUC SUPPORTING CIVIL SOCIETY AND PRIVATE SECTOR ...... 13 2.3.3 STRENGTHEN PRIVATE PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS OF LAND PROFESSIONALS ...... 14 2.3.4 FACILITATE ESTABLISHMENT OF PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS ...... 14 2.4 GENDER ACTIVITIES ...... 14 2.4.1 SUPPORT TO THE LLA GENDER UNIT ...... 14 2.4.2 SUPPORT TO WOMEN’S LAND RIGHTS TASK FORCE ...... 15 2.5 SUPPORT TO COMMUNITY FOREST COMMUNITIES ...... 16 2.6 MONITORING, EVALUATION AND LEARNING ...... 16 ANNEX A: SUCCESS STORY ...... 18 ANNEX B: LGSA INDICATORS AND TARGETS ...... 19 ANNEX C: LGSA MITIGATION MEASURES AND MONITORING PROTOCOL ...... 22
iv LAND GOVERNANCE SUPPORT ACTIVITY FY19 QUARTER 2 REPORT (JANUARY - MARCH 2019) ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
APLSUL Association of Public Land Surveyors of Liberia CLDMC Community Land Development and Management Committee COP Chief of Party CSO Civil Society Organization DCOP Deputy Chief of Party DEN-L Development Education Network-Liberia DLSC Department of Lands, Survey and Cartography EMMP Environmental Monitoring and Mitigation Plan FCI Foundation for Community Initiatives FDA Forest Development Authority FIFES Forest Incomes for Environmental Sustainability Project FTI Forest Training Institute GEP Geomatics Education Program GOL Government of Liberia GUC Grants under Contract LAA Land Authority Act LGSA Land Governance Support Activity LLA Liberia Land Authority LRA Land Rights Act LSA Liberia Strategic Analysis Project MEL Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning MPARD Movement for the Promotion of Agriculture and Rural Development NGO Nongovernmental Organization SDI Sustainable Development Institute STARR Strengthening Tenure and Resource Rights USAID United States Agency for International Development USG United States Government WLRTF Women’s Land Rights Task Force
LAND GOVERNANCE SUPPORT ACTIVITY FY19 QUARTER 2 REPORT (JANUARY - MARCH 2019) v
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
USAID/Liberia contracted Tetra Tech as the Prime Contractor to implement the Land Governance Support Activity (LGSA) Task Order under the Strengthening Tenure and Resource Rights (STARR) Indefinite Duration Indefinite Quantity Contract. LGSA supports the establishment of more effective land governance systems, ready to implement comprehensive reforms to improve equitable access to land and security of tenure, to facilitate inclusive sustained growth and development, ensure peace and security, and provide sustainable management of the environment. Tetra Tech and partners Landesa, CDR Associates (CDR), Sustainable Development Institute (SDI), and Parley form a collaborative team providing technical and organizational assistance to the Government of Liberia (GOL), civil society, and communities in their land rights reform process. Although LGSA was able to accomplish important works in some areas including strengthening the land governance regulatory framework, launching the Geomatics Education Program (GEP) and supporting the Liberia Land Authority (LLA) and the Civil Society Organization (CSO) Working Group on Land Reform in relation to the implementation of the Land Rights Act (LRA), at the same time some planned activities, such as providing survey training, public outreach, community land rights and other planned support to improving the LLA’s operating procedures, slowed down due to funding issues. A portion of the original LGSA work plan for Year 4 such as taking the primary steps towards reforming the land registration system were discontinued during the reporting period based on discussions with USAID. LGSA’s Chief of Party (COP), the Land Administration Specialist (when in-country), Communication and Outreach Specialist and the Gender and Land Specialist continued to be embedded within the LLA and provided advisory and technical support to the Acting Chairperson, Commissioners, the Executive Director, and other management and technical staff. In the reporting quarter, LGSA provided day-to- day advisory support with respect to the LLA’s mandates and activities, especially in regard to the implementation of the LRA, enhancing the capacity of the Gender Unit, basic infrastructure (including consolidating physical presence in the counties) required to implement the LRA and perform other land governance functions. The LLA continued to benefit from day-to-day advice and technical discussions that occur ad hoc with the LGSA COP and other technical specialists from the project. In addition to the day-to-day support, in Quarter 2 of Year 4, LGSA continued to support the LLA in strengthening the legal and regulatory framework for the land sector. Firstly, LGSA assisted the LLA in reviewing the draft strategy for the implementation of the Land Rights Act in the light of all comments and suggestions provided by several representatives of development partners/donors. Secondly, LGSA worked on developing model by-laws for the development and management of customary land. Thirdly, LGSA prepared a comprehensive draft land governance regulation required for the proper implementation of the LRA. In the reporting quarter, LGSA made significant achievement with respect to land administration personnel development and training. In the reporting period, LGSA, in partnership with the Forestry Training Institute (FTI), launched the Geomatics Education Program (GEP). The Program was launched on February 21, 2019 in the presence of representatives of major stakeholders including USAID’s Mission Director, LLA Acting Chair, LLA Commissioners, LLA Executive Director, Forest Development Authority (FDA) representative, the Superintendent of Bomi County, and other local government officials. The feedback received from the LLA senior management who attended the launching event was encouraging in terms of the continuity and sustainability of the program.
LAND GOVERNANCE SUPPORT ACTIVITY FY19 QUARTER 2 REPORT (JANUARY - MARCH 2019) 1 LGSA continued to provide advisory support to the LLA in relation to various options that are available for them to improve the delivery of decentralized land administration services in the face of continued funding constraints as well as parallel representations of the land sector. The parallel representation of the land sector in some counties surfaced recently with appointments of new ‘County Land Commissioners’ who are not administratively linked to the LLA. Despite these challenges, it is essential for the LLA to establish adequate physical presence in all counties in order to efficiently implement the LRA. In this context, LGSA provided advisory support to the LLA in considering the feasibility of establishing county land offices at this time, as envisaged by the Land Authority Act (LAA). In advance to the start of implementing the second phase of the pilot project, LGSA worked with partners (SDI and Parley) to review the new scope of work for completion of the remaining steps for the recognition of customary tenure. The scope of work was updated to include revisions to the process of engagement with the communities, reporting on work completed and feedback from community engagement and implementing partners on use of adapted procedures or steps. Early in quarter three, SDI and Parley will commence work in the seven pilot communities (Fissebu Town, Valvalah and Palma in Lofa County, Kpatawee and Kporyorquelleh in Bong County, and Dubuzon and Gayea in Nimba County), focusing on community land governance, identification and mapping of community boundaries, the verification of the community map by the LLA and remaining steps towards the submission of documents to the LLA for a community land deed. Throughout this quarter, LGSA’s Mobile Mapping Specialist and Project Manager continued to draft a training manual to use as a guide for LGSA implementing partners, staff and the LLA on the mobile mapping approach in Liberia. The Mobile Mapping Specialist and Project Manager will initiate the next phase with a training in quarter three on the technological platform and community engagement strategy for the mapping of community boundaries in the seven pilot communities. LGSA’s work regarding communication and public outreach activities during Quarter 2 of Year 4 were mainly focused on finalizing Land Rights Act Key Messages, finalizing preparations for community awareness campaigns using radio stations and providing support to implementing partners. After rigorous consultations with the LLA, CSOs and other development partners that was facilitated by LGSA, the Land Rights Act Basic Messages was finalized and approved by the LLA. During the reporting quarter, the community radio stations in the counties continue to benefit from LGSA’s empowerment activities in the land sector. As a result, LGSA has continued to witness that various community radio stations are promoting good land governance in their reportage. Because of LGSA’s technical trainings for journalists, mentorship programs and other technical support, the frequency and quality of land reporting on the radio has been steadily improving. Due to funding constraints, LGSA worked with eight radio stations to reduce the duration of their work plan from the originally envisaged six months to four to eight weeks. During this reporting period, LGSA provided technical and financial support to the CSO Working Group on Land Reform in organizing a workshop in relation to the implementation of the LRA. During the preparation stage of the workshop, LGSA COP and the Communication and Outreach Specialist supported the organizers of the CSO workshop in reviewing and refining the agenda of the working sessions. The workshop that took place from February 25 to February 28, 2019 in Gbarnga, Bong County was organized by the CSO Working Group on Land Reform, in collaboration with the LLA and sponsored by UN FAO, Landesa, LGSA, Rights and Rice Foundation, SDI, Welthungerhilfe, the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development, and the National Civil Society Council of Liberia. LGSA’s Gender and Land Specialist, Communication and Outreach Specialist and Community Land Rights Specialist actively participated in the workshop. In addition to LGSA’s support to the CSO workshop, LGSA Communication and Outreach Specialist provided technical support to LGSA partner Foundation for Community Initiatives (FCI) as they were preparing to carry out public awareness and outreach activities in some of the counties.
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As a cross-cutting issue, during Quarter 2, almost all LGSA activities involved gender mainstreaming considerations. LGSA continued working towards ensuring that the Women’s Land Rights Task Force (WLRTF) is fully functional and integrated into the Land Authority. At the same time, through the Gender and Land Specialist, LGSA continued supporting the coordination of the activities of the WLRTF. With respect to LGSA’s plan to provide support to forest communities, during this reporting period, LGSA identified and put under subcontract an implementing partner to carry out LGSA’s plan to support 11 Authorized Community Forests.
LAND GOVERNANCE SUPPORT ACTIVITY FY19 QUARTER 2 REPORT (JANUARY - MARCH 2019) 3 1.0 INTRODUCTION
The Land Governance Support Activity (LGSA) activities are a continuation of USAID’s engagement in the land sector in Liberia, beginning with the Millennium Challenge Corporation funded Land Policy and Institutional Support project and the Land Conflict Resolution Project which ended in 2013 and 2014 respectively. These initial efforts assisted the Government of Liberia (GOL) in the development of a Land Rights Policy, the evolution of the Liberia Land Authority (LLA), and a Land Administration Policy. LGSA continues this engagement through support to the LLA in its establishment and implementation of the Land Authority Act and Land Rights Act (LRA). While LGSA is structured with four project components (see text box) the focal points of LGSA are the establishment and operationalization of the LLA, the development of a methodology for the implementation of the provisions of the Land Rights Act and raising awareness on access to gender equitable land tenure.
LGSA Components Component 1: Strengthening the policy, legal and regulatory framework for land governance • Provide advisory support and recommendations for land policy and legal and regulatory reform, • Develop and disseminate public information on proposed reforms, and • Conduct and disseminate policy research. Component 2: Improvement of human and institutional capacity for land governance • Support institutional transition to the Liberia Land Authority, • Support decentralized management and institutional capacity development, and awareness of GOL land governance institutions, • Support training in land governance, and • Public outreach and awareness campaigns Component 3: Conduct action research to support provisions of the land rights policy and land rights law • Develop a learning agenda followed by the development and field testing of processes for customary land rights implementation, and • Facilitate community-led processes to strengthen community land governance, including capacity building of communities, local institutions, and stakeholders. Component 4: Strengthen civil society, private sector, and citizen engagement in land governance • Develop and manage grants under contract supporting civil society and private sector entities engaged in land governance activities, and • Strengthen private professional organizations and public-private partnerships in activities surrounding land administration.
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2.0 FY19 QUARTER 2 ACTIVITIES
LGSA priorities in Year 4 were originally determined in accordance with the recommendation of the LGSA activity review conducted in Year 3 and subsequent consultations held with USAID and other major stakeholders in the land sector. Although LGSA needed to adjust its priorities in Quarter 2 based on budgetary and work plan discussions with USAID, to a large extent, the areas of focus remained the same as in Quarter 1. Accordingly, the Year 4 Quarter 2 project activities focused on: 1) supporting the LLA in land governance areas where the chances for producing results that will have direct bearing on improving service delivery and tenure security are good; 2) implementing community based processes to strengthen community land governance structures, including capacity building of communities, local institutions, and testing of a methodology for the recognition of customary tenure; 3) improving the legislative/regulatory framework for land; 4) improving the LLA’s operating procedures and systems; 5) reforming the land registration and land surveying aspects of the Liberian land administration system; and 6) developing and disseminating information to build public awareness on land.
2.1 SUPPORTING THE LIBERIA LAND AUTHORITY As reported in the previous quarter, with the full support of LGSA, the LLA held a retreat in Monrovia from December 4-10, 2018 with the primary objective of evaluating and reflecting on the work that has been carried out ahead of the formal launch of the Land Authority in 2019. The formal launch of the LLA was planned to take place in a proposed Transitional Committee meeting in January 2019; however, due to shifting priorities and circumstances, the plan to formally launch the LLA beyond the transitional period did not materialize during the reporting period. LGSA understands that the LLA is inclined to formally inform the Transitional Committee about the end of the Transitional Period rather than organizing a Transitional Committee event to mark the formal launching of the Authority. Throughout the reporting quarter, LGSA provided day-to-day advisory support with respect to the LLA’s mandates and activities, especially in regard to the implementation of the LRA, enhancing the capacity of the Gender Unit, basic infrastructure (including consolidating physical presence in the counties) required to implement the LRA and perform other land governance functions. LGSA’s Chief of Party (COP), the Land Administration Specialist, Communication and Outreach Specialist and the Gender and Land Specialist continued to be embedded with within the LLA and provided advisory and technical support to the Acting Chairperson, Commissioners, the Executive Director, and other management and technical staff.
2.1.1 OPERATIONALIZATION OF THE LIBERIA LAND AUTHORITY Legal and Regulatory Framework. LGSA continued to support the LLA in strengthening the legal and regulatory framework for the land sector. During the reporting quarter, the legal/regulatory support that LGSA provided focused on the implementation of the LRA. Firstly, LGSA assisted the LLA in reviewing the draft strategy for the implementation of the Land Rights Act in the light of all comments and suggestions provided by several representatives of development partners/donors. Secondly, LGSA worked on developing model by-laws for the development and management of customary land. Thirdly, LGSA prepared a comprehensive draft land governance regulation required for the proper implementation of the LRA.
LAND GOVERNANCE SUPPORT ACTIVITY FY19 QUARTER 2 REPORT (JANUARY - MARCH 2019) 5 1. LRA Implementation Strategic Plan The LLA senior management reviewed the feedback they received from representatives of development partners/donors on the draft LRA and revised the strategy document by considering the useful comments and suggestions received and recent developments that are relevant to the implementation of the LRA. LGSA’s COP held a series of consultations on the draft implementation strategy for the LRA with the LLA senior management and provided advisory support regarding the finalization of the draft. The LLA is expected to call a donor coordination meeting shortly regarding the implementation of the LRA. LGSA anticipates that the LLA will complete the revision of the strategy document in the next reporting period. 2. By-laws for the Development and Management of Customary Land The LRA requires the community members acting collectively to develop by-laws for the development and management of customary land. In the previous reporting quarter, LGSA, in collaboration with the LLA and other civil society organization (CSO) partners began drafting by-laws that are expected to facilitate orderly formalization of community land rights of the pilot communities. The by-laws will also be used as template document that can be adapted by other communities outside of LGSA’s pilot areas. In the previous quarter LGSA went through a process for developing the model by-laws that involved engaging partner CSOs and LGSA pilot communities to gather essential information regarding current community land governance processes and conducting a series of consultations with the LLA. In the reporting period, LGSA and LLA recruited a Liberian legal consultant to further develop and refine the zero draft by-laws developed in the previous quarter by a joint LLA-LGSA working group. In close collaboration with the joint LLA-LGSA working group, the legal consultant prepared a final draft By-laws for the Development and Management of Customary Land. During the process of developing the model by-laws, LGSA held targeted consultations with several prominent members of the CSO Working Group for Land Reform. In the next reporting period, LGSA and the LLA will share the model by-laws with CSOs and various communities. 3. Regulations for the Management of Community Land Development and Management Committees The LRA requires important regulations to facilitate the implementation of its provisions. In the last quarter, LGSA and LLA commenced work to develop regulations for the management of the Community Land Development and Management Committees (CLDMCs). In the reporting quarter, while developing a draft regulation for the management of CLDMCs, LGSA and the LLA found it more useful to broaden the scope and purpose of the draft regulations to facilitate the proper and coherent implementation of the LRA. Accordingly, both sides agreed to develop a comprehensive Customary Land Governance Regulations. Consequently, LGSA, in close collaboration with the LLA, prepared a first draft Customary Land Governance Regulation. The purpose of this draft Regulation is to establish rules and procedures for the administration, governance and management of Customary Land. The specific objectives of the regulations are to provide steps and procedures by which land-owning communities can obtain Customary Land status, assist communities establish governance structures for their Customary Land, regulate the functions of the CLDMCs, and provide communities with guidance for the appropriate use, transfer, sale, and benefit of their Customary Land. Following a series of consultative meetings that took place to review the first draft, LGSA produced a second draft Customary Land Governance Regulation. The second draft Customary Land Governance Regulation will be reviewed by a joint LGSA-LLA working group composed of the LLA Commissioner for Policy and Planning, LGSA COP, LGSA short-term legal consultant, LGSA Community Land Rights
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Specialist and two other LLA staffers. LGSA’s legal consultant will then incorporate the feedback that he received during the discussions and any subsequent written comments/suggestions provided by LGSA and/or LLA and finalize the draft Customary Land Governance Regulations early in the next reporting period. The LLA and LGSA have agreed to subject the draft regulations for targeted consultations before the LLA takes it through the adoption process. Survey Staff Development and Training. The success USAID Mission Director Dr. Anthony Chan launching the GEP training of the LLA in building a functioning land administration system will largely be contingent upon the skills and integrity of its human resources who are responsible to discharge the various aspects of land administration functions. Surveying and mapping are important aspects of a land administration system in Liberia. However, the surveying and mapping sector lacks adequate human and material resources that are required to respond to the current needs. Building well-trained human resources will enable the LLA to promote the efficient functioning of surveying activities through the introduction of new standards, systems, procedures and equipment. Therefore, LGSA believes that a comprehensive program of training for surveyors will be required as part of the capacity building of the Department of Land Administration of the LLA and Association of Public Land Surveyors of Liberia (APLSUL). In this regard, LGSA will continue adhering to its two- pronged approach: 1) produce new survey technicians through a certificate program offering surveyors’ curriculum; and 2) provide skill upgrading training to existing surveyors. Establishing a Surveyor’s Training Curriculum. LGSA worked in partnership with the Forest Training Institute (FTI) and the LLA to support the establishment of a one-year Geomatics Education Program (GEP). In the reporting period, LGSA, in partnership with FTI, launched the GEP on February 21, 2019 in the presence of representatives of major stakeholders including USAID’s Mission Director, LLA Acting Chair, LLA Commissioners, LLA Executive Director, Forest Development Authority (FDA) representative, the Superintendent of Bomi County, and other local government officials. The feedback received from the LLA senior management who attended the launching event was encouraging in terms of the continuity and sustainability of the Program. The launching of the GEP was preceded by careful preparatory activities. In addition to the preparatory works carried out in the previous reporting quarter, in quarter 2, LGSA’s Land Administration Specialist, along with the two LGSA GEP Instructors, held several preparatory working sessions as a team and along with the Executive Director and key staff of FTI. The planning tasks included the development of lesson plans, study guide and class schedule. Following the conduct of the work sessions, LGSA organized a three-day workshop at FTI in Tubmanburg, Bomi County from January 30th to February 1st, 2019. The focus of the workshop, attended by LGSA’s Land Administration Specialist, the GEP Coordinator, GEP Instructor, and FTI
LAND GOVERNANCE SUPPORT ACTIVITY FY19 QUARTER 2 REPORT (JANUARY - MARCH 2019) 7 instructors and administrative staff, was to provide orientations regarding FTI’s administrative and academic activities, policies and procedures and the finalization of lesson plans, study guide, class schedule and orientation package for students. Furthermore, prior to starting the program, LGSA’s Land Administration Specialist and the GEP instructors, in partnership with FTI administrative and academic staff, organized a full-day orientation program for old and new students of the General Forestry, Wood Science and Technology, Auto Mechanic, and the newly established GEP. The orientation program introduced the students’ handbook and administrative and academic requirements at FTI. During the orientation program, LGSA’s Land Administration Specialist provided an overview of the GEP and its expected outcome and impact to land reform and the land governance system. He also underscored the relevance of selecting students from across the nation and motivated the students to focus on their studies and make their various counties of origin proud by becoming the first group of surveying technicians trained in modern surveying methods and equipment. In addition to preparing for the launch of the GEP program, LGSA participated in efforts to ensure the sustainability of the program. LGSA has promoted enhanced national ownership of the program and support from other donors to ensure continuity of the program beyond LGSA’s support. To enhance national ownership, at an FTI meeting held during the reporting period, an LGSA representative recommended that the Board consider opening a seat for an LLA representative. After listening to a presentation about the GEP program delivered by LGSA’s Land Administration Specialist in regard to the GEP program, the Board reiterated the importance of ensuring the sustainability of the Program and asked LGSA to assist in forming a strategic planning committee that deals with ways to ensure the sustainability of the program. The Board Chair and Managing Director of the FDA also expressed support to LGSA and the GEP. With respect to preparing facilities and equipment to make the program adequately operational, LGSA refurbished key buildings on the FTI campus. The refurbishment was completed over the course of two
Students of the GEP program with LGSA Chief of Party Dr. Yohannes Gebremedhin and USAID Missions Director Dr. Anthony Chan
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months. The refurbishment revitalized two dormitories, two bathrooms, and two classroom buildings (classroom and computer lab) for FTI. Moreover, LGSA signed a fixed price subcontract agreement with FTI that provides financial support for the implementation of the GEP. Providing Skill Upgrading Surveying Training. LGSA had drawn plans to implement a skill upgrading training program for land surveyors in Year 4. The training plan is designed in consultation with the LLA. According to LGSA’s original Year 4 work plan, LGSA agreed with the LLA and APLSUL to organize two such training programs that would be delivered to private and public surveyors. However, due to funding issues and in accordance with discussions with USAID, LGSA agreed with the LLA to revise its original plan and begun planning a Training of Trainers (TOT) short course for registered/licensed land surveyors on the use of modern surveying methods and processes and professional and technical standards. LGSA has started preparations to implement the TOT in the next quarter.
2.1.2 DECENTRALIZATION OF THE LIBERIA LAND AUTHORITY In the reporting period, LGSA continued to provide advisory support to the LLA in relation to various options that are available for the LLA to improve the delivery of decentralized land administration services in the face of continued funding constraints as well as parallel representations of the land sector. The parallel representation of the land sector in some counties surfaced recently with appointments of new ‘County Land Commissioners’ who are not administratively linked to the LLA. Despite these challenges, it is essential for the LLA to establish adequate physical presence in all counties in order to efficiently implement the LRA. In this context, LGSA provided advisory support to the LLA in considering the feasibility of establishing county land offices at this time, as envisaged by the Land Authority Act (LAA).
2.2. CONDUCT ACTION RESEARCH AND DEVELOP A METHODOLGY FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LAND AUTHORITY ACT AND THE LAND RIGHTS POLICY LGSA is supporting the GOL to develop a process for the recognition of customary lands that will inform the design of new laws, regulations, administrative procedures, and guidelines to implement the LRA. Customary lands are deemed legally recognized and equal to private land according to the LRA. The process of recognition requires town, villages, clans, and districts to self-identify, demarcate their boundaries and establish land governance structures. LGSA support to the LLA to develop model by- laws and regulations, as discussed in Section 2.1.1, assisted in the development of steps and processes leading to the establishment of community by-laws and a governance entity. LGSA continues to update its Methodology for the Recognition of Customary Land based on the research findings from the learning agenda, the LLA’s Field Guide for Developing a Framework for Implementing Customary/Community Land Rights Recognition Nation-Wide, the Tenure Facility and LLA’s Community Self-Identification Guide, and the draft community by-laws and Customary Land Governance Regulations drafted with LGSA support. These guidelines are updated with feedback from the LLA and the pilot activities conducted under LGSA, and lessons learned from other donors.
2.2.1 DEVELOP, FIELD TEST, AND REVISE PROCESSES FOR CUSTOMARY LAND RIGHTS IMPLEMENTATION With the passage of the LRA in October 2018, LGSA has examined the guidance the Act provides on the establishment of CLDMCs, the roles and responsibilities of the CLDMC, and the nomination or election of sub-unit’s representatives to the CLDMC. Throughout the quarter, LGSA, in collaboration with its partners (SDI and Parley) and the LLA, continued to develop draft by-laws for the development and management of customary land. With buy-in from the LLA, these model by-laws and steps for the
LAND GOVERNANCE SUPPORT ACTIVITY FY19 QUARTER 2 REPORT (JANUARY - MARCH 2019) 9 establishment of CLDMCs as presented in the draft Customary Land Governance Regulations will be adopted in the second phase of the pilots, updating the governance work carried out by project partners to-date. With sponsorship from international organizations including LGSA, the Civil Society Organization Working Group on Land Reform and the LLA organized a four-day workshop comprising of CSO members from across the fifteen counties of Liberia under the theme, “Know Your Land Rights Law” to debrief other CSOs on the progress made thus far and what is required for the implementation of the LRA. Critical among the issues were the validation of Tribal Certificates and the conduct of the confirmatory survey. Feedback from this workshop will inform LGSA’s discussions with the LLA on what constitutes a confirmatory survey and how this process will be applied in the seven pilot communities upon completion of the community boundary maps. In advance to the start of implementing the second phase of the pilot project, LGSA organized a coordination meeting with partners (SDI and Parley) to review the new scope of work for completion of the remaining steps for the recognition of customary tenure. The one-day meeting was attended by six persons representing Parley, SDI and LGSA personnel. At the end of the meeting, the scope of work was updated to include revisions to the process of engagement with the communities, reporting on work completed and feedback from community engagement and implementing partners on use of adapted procedures or steps. Early in quarter three, SDI and Parley will commence work in the seven pilot communities (Fissebu Town, Valvalah and Palma in Lofa County, Kpatawee and Kporyorquelleh in Bong County, and Dubuzon and Gayea in Nimba County), focusing on community land governance, identification and mapping of community boundaries, the verification of the community map by the LLA and remaining steps towards the submission of documents to the LLA for a community land deed. Throughout this quarter, LGSA’s Mobile Mapping Specialist and Project Manager continued to draft a training manual to use as a guide for LGSA implementing partners, staff and the LLA on the mobile mapping approach in Liberia. The Mobile Mapping Specialist and Project Manager will initiate the next phase with a training in quarter three on the technological platform and community engagement strategy for the mapping of community boundaries in the seven pilot communities.
2.3 STRENGTHEN CIVIL SOCIETY, PRIVATE SECTOR, AND CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT IN LAND GOVERNANCE
2.3.1 DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT PUBLIC INFORMATION CAMPAIGNS LGSA’s focus on communication and public outreach activities during Quarter 2 of Year 4 focused on finalizing Land Rights Act Key Messages, finalizing preparations for community awareness campaigns using radio stations, networking, and providing support to implementing partners. Finalizing the Development of Land Rights Act Key Messages. During the previous quarter, LGSA, in collaboration with the LLA, developed key messages on the LRA that can be used by all stakeholders who plan to conduct outreach and awareness activities on the law. The main objective of developing the LRA basic messages was to ensure that messages provided by each partner’s respective engagements with communities are clear, accurate and coordinated in a manner that promotes effectiveness and avoids confusion. During this quarter, with the technical support of LGSA, the LLA in collaboration with other NGOs, organized an LRA messaging workshop with other NGOs and CSOs. During the workshop some CSOs that had developed basic messages on the LRA presented the messages and a working group was formed to consolidate all the messages and produce a single set of messages that all stakeholders can use during the implementation of the LRA. This technical working group was co-chaired by the LLA and
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LGSA and the three-day technical working group meeting was hosted by LGSA. During these meetings, the committee reviewed the messages developed by the LLA and LGSA and made additional inputs. The committee later reviewed messages from the CSOs that were presented during the two-day messaging conference. Issues that were not captured in the LGSA/LLA messages were copied and incorporated to produce a single document. LGSA presented the LRA Key Messages in the aforementioned CSO Working Group on Land Reform workshop that took place in Gbarnga, Bong County. The participants of the Gbarnga conference appeared satisfied with the clarity, brevity and coherence of the LRA Key Messages. Soon thereafter, the LLA formally approved the LRA Key Messages for use during public awareness campaigns on the LRA. The Acting Chairman of the LLA, through a letter sent to all partners and stakeholders encouraged partners to endeavor to use the messages in their public outreach campaigns. Community Awareness Campaigns Using Radio Stations. Over the last three years, LGSA has put a great deal of effort to build the capacity of local radio stations in understanding the workings of the land sector. During the reporting quarter, the community radio stations in the counties continued to benefit from LGSA’s empowerment activities in the land sector through ongoing mentoring from the Communication and Outreach Specialist. As a result, various community radio stations are promoting good land governance in their reportage. Because of LGSA’s technical trainings for journalists, mentorship programs and other technical support, the frequency and quality of land reporting on the radio has been steadily improving. LGSA had planned to conduct outreach activities with community radio stations with respect to the LRA. Initially, LGSA completed work with all the 17 stations in selecting 26 communities each where the program will target on a weekly basis. This plan envisaged 442 outreach activities over a period of six months. Due to budgetary issues, LGSA revised its plan to start working with eight of the originally selected 17 radio stations. LGSA worked with the eight radio stations to reduce the duration of their work plan from the originally envisaged six months to four to eight weeks. The outreach programs will present discussions on various aspects of the LRA and will take the form of expert and local leader presentations, open discussions, questions and answers and phone-in sessions. With the phone-in session, people that are in other communities but listening to the show from the specific community through the broadcast can also participate in the discussions through questions, comments or other contributions. The specific focus of the discussions will be on the following: • Overview of the Land Rights Act and Who is Entitled to Own Land • Types of Land Ownership • Private Land: o Nature, Proof of Ownership o Responsibilities of Land Owner o Abandoning Your Land • Customary Land: o Nature and Ownership • Community Land Management • Confirmatory Land Survey • Customary Land and Concessions • Tribal Certificates • Government and Public Land • Gender and Land Rights
LAND GOVERNANCE SUPPORT ACTIVITY FY19 QUARTER 2 REPORT (JANUARY - MARCH 2019) 11 2.3.1 SUPPORT TO CIVIL SOCIETY ENGAGMENT IN LAND GOVERNACE During this reporting period, LGSA provided technical and financial support to the CSO Working Group on Land Reform in organizing a workshop in relation to the implementation of the LRA. During the preparation stage of the workshop, LGSA’s COP and the Communication and Outreach Specialist supported the organizers of the CSO workshop in reviewing and refining the agenda of the working sessions. The workshop took place from February 25 to February 28, 2019 in Gbarnga, Bong County and was organized by the CSO Working Group on Land Reform, in collaboration with the LLA and sponsored by UN FAO, Landesa, LGSA, Rights and Rice Foundation, SDI, Welthungerhilfe, the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development, and the National Civil Society Council of Liberia. The overall objective of the workshop was to create a space for learning and dialogue and provide an opportunity for the different stakeholders in tenure governance at various levels to discuss and identify relevant messages to pass onto communities in carrying out awareness on the LRA. LGSA’s Gender and Land Specialist, Communications and Outreach Specialist and Community Land Rights Specialist participated in the workshop. The retreat brought together CSOs from the fifteen counties and focused on three main thematic areas: 1) Presentation of the LRA, 2) Presentation of synchronized messages developed by the CSOs and the LLA with the support of LGSA; and 3) Dissemination of messages to the community.
LGSA Communications and Outreach Specialist responds to questions from participants at the CSO Retreat in Gbarnga after presentation on basic land rights messages.
As part of the program, in the first session, the LLA delivered a presentation entitled “Know Your Land Rights Act”. During this session, LLA Acting Chairman and LLA Commissioner Jackson explained portions of the LRA to participants. There was an opportunity for the participants to ask questions as well.
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The workshop session on basic messaging on the LRA was facilitated by LGSA’s Communication and Outreach Specialist and the LLA’s Public Relations Officer. Both presented all the messages that have been developed on the LRA and the presentation was followed by a questions and answers session. During the discussions, the LGSA Gender and Land Specialist explained the messages on women’s land rights and provided expert opinion during discussions. The gathering afforded the CSOs to better understand the LRA and to have fruitful discussions with the LLA on some issues of concern which included tribal certificates vetting and processing in relation to the full participation of the community, the conduct of the confirmatory survey (who pays the fee), and the participation of CSOs in the development of guidelines and regulations. Though the issues were discussed at length, in order to give the LLA time to adequately respond, it was decided that the CSOs would put their concerns in writing and submit them to the LLA for a formal response. The final session that the LGSA Communication and Outreach Specialist took part in was on the dissemination of the LRA and it was led by LGSA partner SDI. In addition to LGSA’s support to the CSO Working Group on Land Reform, during the reporting quarter, LGSA Communication and Outreach Specialist provided technical support to LGSA partner Foundation for Community Initiatives (FCI) as they were preparing to carry out public awareness and outreach activities in some of the counties. The Communication and Outreach Specialist spent a day at their Duazon office, in Margibi County where FCI held a general staff meeting. At the meeting the Communication and Outreach Specialist delivered a presentation of the key messages on the LRA that was recently developed with the support of LGSA. After the presentation, FCI staff had an interactive discussion about the LRA in general and the key messages for the forthcoming outreach campaign on the LRA. LGSA will continue to provide follow up support to FCI.
2.3.2 DEVELOP AND MANAGE GUC SUPPORTING CIVIL SOCIETY AND PRIVATE SECTOR During the reporting period, the LGSA team saw the completion of Phase II of the women’s land rights awareness activities by our grantees Development Education Network-Liberia (DEN-L), FCI, and Movement for Agriculture (MPARD). Final deliverable submissions covered activities including; women’s land rights awareness sessions, the set-up of Women’s Land Rights Committees, and recommendations by each grantee on what communities the next phase should cover to continue the work now completed. MPARD provided training and ran awareness sessions aimed at promoting and increasing women’s participation in activities focused on education on land rights in nine communities (Zodru, Gayea, Barr Town, Nelson Village, Dubuzon, Karlay Town, Deowoblee II, Tiahblee and Kparblee) with a total of 299 people participating (161 men and 138 women). FCI provided trainings for women and traditional women leaders using the LGSA provided training manual/facilitators’ guide. Women were trained separately from men and participated in discussions through group work on various topics. Translation of materials was done through an interpreter who translated into local vernaculars for all participants to understand the materials. Presentations from group discussions were done by participants and key areas were highlighted by the facilitator. The training lasted for two days each in Palama and Valvalah Clans with total number of 232 participants. DEN-L provided training to 210 participants in Kporyorquelleh and Kpatawee Clans in Suakoko District, Bong County. Trainings covered gender and development, leadership, conflict mediation and advocacy, women’s land rights, inheritance rights and the land right laws of Liberia.
LAND GOVERNANCE SUPPORT ACTIVITY FY19 QUARTER 2 REPORT (JANUARY - MARCH 2019) 13 2.3.3 STRENGTHEN PRIVATE PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS OF LAND PROFESSIONALS In Quarter 2, LGSA continued its efforts for the establishment of professional land organizations. The focus in this regard continued to be on strengthening the capacity and role of professional associations in regulating and conducting of professional services in the land sector. Association of Professional Land Surveyors of Liberia. In Quarter 2, LGSA continued to work with APLSUL to redesign appropriate training programs for skill upgrading to private surveyors in accordance with LGSA’s revised work plan for Year 4. LGSA will continue to work with APLSUL to complete the development and implementation of the training course that is being redesigned to balance the needs of surveyors and the available amount of funding to organize and deliver the training.
2.3.4 FACILITATE ESTABLISHMENT OF PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS LGSA continued its support to the LLA to gradually privatize surveying functions. In this regard, as indicated earlier in this report, LGSA worked with both the LLA and APLSUL to expedite the proper transitioning of the privatization of surveying functions and the collaborative regulation of the survey profession.
2.4 GENDER ACTIVITIES As a cross-cutting issue, almost all LGSA activities involved gender mainstreaming considerations. During the reporting quarter, LGSA’s activities with respect to gender and land rights focused on strengthening the institutional foundation for promoting women’s land rights. Accordingly, LGSA provided technical support to the LLA Gender Unit and the WLRTF as described below.
2.4.1 SUPPORT TO THE LLA GENDER UNIT Throughout the reporting quarter, the Gender and Land Specialist continued providing technical support to the LLA Gender Unit. The support took various forms including assisting the Gender Unit staff in conducting different gender related assessments, providing training, coaching, mentoring and facilitating discussions with stakeholders. Gender Mainstreaming Capacity Assessment. During the quarter, the Gender and Land Specialist, in collaboration with Landesa’s Gender and Policy Adviser, supported the Gender Unit of the LLA to conduct a gender mainstreaming capacity assessment of the LLA structure and staffing. The findings of the assessment were reviewed, analyzed and subsequently informed the finalization of a three-month work plan for the Gender Unit. Appointment of Gender Focal Points. The LGSA Gender and Land Specialist provided advisory support to the LLA Gender Unit in engaging the senior management of the LLA to promote the appointment of staff who would serve as Gender Focal Points in the various departments of the LLA. Consequently, LLA senior management has appointed Gender Focal Points in various departments. The purpose of appointing Focal Points is to work with the Gender Unit to ensure an effective gender integration in all areas (structure, processes, and activities) of the LLA. Additionally, the LGSA Gender and Land Specialist worked with the Gender Unit of the LLA to plan appropriate training that would enhance the capacity of the Gender Focal Points to carry out their new responsibilities. Gender and Women’s Land Rights Introductory Training. In addition to the Gender Focal Points the LLA also assigned additional staff to strengthen the Gender Unit. Following the appointments of the Gender Focal Points and appointment of additional staff to the Gender Unit, the Gender and Land
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Specialist co-facilitated with the LLA Gender Advisor an Introductory Gender and Women’s Land Rights Training for the newly appointed staff. The training was organized in response to the gaps identified during gender mainstreaming capacity assessment that was carried out by LGSA in the reporting quarter. The training aimed at enhancing the capacity of the newly appointed focal points and the Gender Unit staff to perform their role of advancing the work of the Gender Unit. The topics covered by the training included: Introduction to the Concepts of Gender, Gender Analysis and Integration, Why Gender Maters in Development and the Role of Gender Focal Points in an organization. The training created the opportunity for the participants to understand the concept of gender, understand key land rights issues faced by women in Liberia as well as causes of gender inequalities in land rights in Liberia. The participants gained basic skills in identifying gender issues in their work and how to conduct a gender analysis.
2.4.2 SUPPORT TO WOMEN’S LAND RIGHTS TASK FORCE In Quarter 2 of Year 4, LGSA continued working towards ensuring that the Women’s Land Rights Task Force (WLRTF) is fully functional and integrated into the Land Authority. At the same time, through the Gender and Land Specialist, LGSA continued supporting the coordination of the activities of the WLRTF. In this regard, in Quarter 2, LGSA’s main activities were as follows: Collaborative Efforts to Increase Awareness of Women’s Land Rights. In January 2019, the LGSA Gender and Land Specialist led a team from the WLRTF to hold a joint awareness outreach with the Women’s NGOs Secretariat of Liberia. The collaborative outreach program, which focused on women’s land rights and the functions of the LLA, targeted five local women’s organizations and one youth group in the township of Bensonville, Montserrado County. In addition to the members of the women’s and youth groups, the awareness building session was also attended by key local authorities of the township. During the outreach session, the team provided information on key women’s land rights messages based on the provisions of the LRA as well as information on the LLA and its functions. During the awareness session, the participants asked questions on the LRA and how they could access land administration related services. The team from the WLRTF and LGSA Gender and Land Specialist provided appropriate answers to most of the participants’ questions, and with respect to certain legal questions they referred the participants’ questions to the Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia for legal advice and to the LLA for additional information. The participants expressed their appreciation for the information they received and for the selection of their community to hold the outreach event. Most of the participants informed the team that they were not adequately informed about the contents of the law, although they had heard of its enactment. They attested to having many issues regarding land and in most cases, they did not know where to go to seek redress. The women’s groups were pleased that under the new law they have been given rights as a group. They said they would hope now to be able to freely request land for their cooperatives to make small agricultural farms to support their activities. According to the women, access to land has been quite challenging for them in the past, something they said had impeded the advancement of women cooperatives in their community. Meanwhile, the local authority that were present expressed their appreciation to the team and promised to protect women’s rights to land in their township. Seventy-four persons (52 women and 22 men) representing women and youth groups, local authorities and community dwellers benefited from the awareness session. Facilitating Women’s Land Rights Task Force Meetings. During the quarter, LGSA continued working to strengthen the capacity and intensify the activities of the WLRTF regarding women’s land rights, including the following:
LAND GOVERNANCE SUPPORT ACTIVITY FY19 QUARTER 2 REPORT (JANUARY - MARCH 2019) 15 Advocacy Engagement with the LLA. During the quarter, with the support of LGSA’s Gender and Land Specialist, the WLRTF continued its advocacy engagements with pertinent LLA officials to allow the Taskforce to participate in some of the ongoing processes for developing regulations and guidelines relating to the LRA. In this regard, LGSA’s Gender and Land Specialist led a team of the WLRTF members to hold discussions with LLA Gender Advisor about the Taskforce’s desire to support the work of the LLA Gender Unit with respect to influencing the formulation of policy and regulations that promote women’s land rights. The discussions with the LLA resulted in a positive understanding in the sense that the LLA agreed to share relevant documents with the WLRTF for review and comments. Global Women’s Land Rights Campaign. LGSA facilitated WLRTF meetings to discuss the participation of the Taskforce in a global women’s land rights campaign. The campaign entitled “Closing the gaps between Law and Practice” is an initiative aimed at enhancing women’s land rights though community engagements and public outreach. The goal is to minimize the gaps between land rights laws and enforceability of these laws to benefit women. The campaign is planned to be piloted in five countries and Liberia is being considered as one of the five pilot countries. In preparation for the prospective campaign, the Taskforce mapped out Liberian institutions that work in the land sector to form a coalition for carrying out the campaign. Accordingly, the CSO Working Group on Land Reform, the Female Journalist Association of Liberia, the National Rural Women Association of Liberia and the National Traditional Council were identified as potential coalition members. A strategic meeting is being planned with the international campaigners to further discuss and strategize Liberia’s participation.
2.5 SUPPORT TO COMMUNITY FOREST COMMUNITIES In the previous quarter, LGSA conducted the groundwork in preparation for implementing a pilot initiative to assist affected Authorized Forest Communities in Nimba County, and their respective Community Forest Management Body, Executive Committee and Community Assembly membership, by providing training, information and legal advice with respect to negotiating Commercial Use Contracts or Social Agreements, entering into agreements with timber companies where community development projects are clearly identified and implementation is time bound, or legal rights associated with contract or agreement monitoring. During this reporting period, LGSA identified an implementing partner to carry out LGSA’s plan to support 11 Authorized Community Forests around the Kparble Community Forest. Through a competitive procurement process that saw six organizational submissions, FCI was identified as having the most thorough implementation strategy to carry out the work. The scope of work includes the provision of training, legal support and advisory support to Authorized Forest Communities that fall within USAID’s Forest Incomes for Environmental Sustainability (FIFES) and LGSA project areas. LGSA along with FIFES has identified eleven community forest communities in Kparblee District, Nimba County to implement the pilot initiative. These communities include: New Yourpea, Kpanblee, Kanblee, Dewoblee 1, Behwalay, Dubuzon, Dewoblee 2, Tuzon, Old Yourpea, Zodru and Moses Town. The contract will run from April 2019 through February 2020.
2.6 MONITORING, EVALUATION AND LEARNING During the reporting quarter, with respect to monitoring, evaluation and learning, LGSA focused on two main activities: 1) review of online – Performance Indicator Data system (PIDS), and 2) review of partners data.
2.6.1 REVIEW OF LGSA ONLINE DATA (PIDS)
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During the reporting quarter, after the review of PIDS data showed that LGSA data collected prior to the launch of PIDS was not available in PIDS online system, LGSA requested USAID to have the Liberia Strategic Analysis (LSA) project open PIDS for data entry. Subsequently, LGSA entered the data successfully.
2.6.2 REVIEW OF IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS DATA During this quarter, as part of its technical support to LGSA’s implementing partners, LGSA MEL Specialists reviewed implementing partners data. During the data review exercise, LGSA specialists found that the implementing partners have shown improvement in their data management. The MEL Specialists also assessed that the implementing partners’ data collectors have also improved in the way that they conduct their data collection at the data source level. Although the partners have shown improvements in data collection and management, LGSA will continue conducting its quarterly data validation with the implementing partners as indicated in the MEL Plan.
LAND GOVERNANCE SUPPORT ACTIVITY FY19 QUARTER 2 REPORT (JANUARY - MARCH 2019) 17 ANNEX A: SUCCESS STORY
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ANNEX B: LGSA INDICATORS AND TARGETS1
# Type of Indicator Due Reporting Data Source & Baseline Year 4 Year 4 Year 4 Achieved LOP Indicator Date for Frequency Collection Method Target Q1 Q2 to date Target DQA 10.4-1: Number of Land agencies or specific pieces of LGSA implementing legislation or partners; copies of implementing regulations proposed, adopted proposed, adopted, 1 LTPR Q1, Y4 Annual or implemented 0 3 0 0 10 12 and/or implemented pieces of legislation affecting property rights or regulations of the urban and rural affecting property poor as a result of USG rights collected assistance
1.3: Number of people Completed 2 Custom trained in land tenure and Q1, Y4 Quarterly participants 0 500 1,643 32 3,175 1,900 property rights issues attendance forms
10.4-2: Percent of people Completed trained who can correctly participants identify key learning attendance forms and 3 LTPR Q1, Y4 Annually 0 80% 97% N/A 88.9% 80% objectives 30 days later follow-up survey, as a result of USG disaggregated by assistance2 gender
1 LGSA’s MEL Plan is currently undergoing revision to remove some indicators, add new indicators and adjust targets (revised MEL Plan to be submitted next quarter for USAID review and approval). LGSA is maintaining the indicator numbers to ensure there is no confusion when looking at data throughout the life of the project.
2 1.3: Percent of people trained who can correctly identify key learning objectives 30 days later as a result of USG assistance. 80% of participants trained is the target of each year and also LOA target. A simple survey would be conducted 30 days later after the training is completed.
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# Type of Indicator Due Reporting Data Source & Baseline Year 4 Year 4 Year 4 Achieved LOP Indicator Date for Frequency Collection Method Target Q1 Q2 to date Target DQA 2.3: Number of individuals from land Individuals receiving governance institutions master’s degrees will who received Master's- submit a brief report, 4 Custom Q1, Y4 Annually 0 2 0 0 0 4 degrees in land including a copy of administration and their completed governance as a result of degree USG support. Land agencies track 2.4: Number of land 5 Custom Q1, Y4 Quarterly and report this data 2,311 3,500 899 705 7,830 16,000 transactions completed to LGSA 3.1: Percentage of adults 15% in pilot areas who report 6 Custom Q1, Y4 Annually LGSA survey data 40.1% +5% N/A 0 0% over that their land tenure baseline rights are secure 10.4-5: Number of Collected from land parcels with relevant agencies database parcel information quarterly. Household corrected or newly members or 7 LTPR incorporated into an Q1, Y4 Annually organizations report 0 15 N/A 0 0 40 official land to LLA with evidence administration system as of formalized land a result of USG rights in hard copies assistance or electronic forms 10.4-6: Number of people with secure tenure rights to land, Reports collected 129 20% with legally recognized In 8 LTPR Q1, Y4 Annually from land agencies. M-85 +15% N/A N/A over documentation and who progress LGSA Annual survey F-44 baseline perceive their rights to land are secure as a result of USG assistance3
3 Indicator 3.3 contributes to a USAID Standard Indicator (FACTS 4.5.1-25 or EG.10.4-6)
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# Type of Indicator Due Reporting Data Source & Baseline Year 4 Year 4 Year 4 Achieved LOP Indicator Date for Frequency Collection Method Target Q1 Q2 to date Target DQA 3.5: Percentage of community governance Reports from LGSA entities implementing 90% In 89% 9 Custom Q1, Y4 Quarterly technical staff, and 0 0% N/A rules for the inclusion of (14/15) progress 40/45 bylaws submitted women, youth and strangers 4.1: Number of gender Copies of outreach responsive outreach materials, reports materials on land tenure and receipts from 10 Custom Q1, Y4 Quarterly 0 15 12 2 57 66 and property rights printing press and distributed through USG distribution lists assistance collected Reports including 4.2: Number of gender summary of each responsive public activity, with outreach activities on 11 Custom Q1, Y4 Quarterly receipts, where 0 206 38 15 308 474 land tenure and property appropriate, and rights held with USG distribution assistance information collected 4.3: Number of new or LGSA technical staff existing professional and implementing organizations of 12 Custom Q1, Y4 Quarterly partners submit 0 2 0 0 7 9 surveyors and other land reports including related professions support provided supported 4.4: Number of Reports from marginalized people who LLA/LCC showing 44 5 373 have accessed to land 13 Custom Q1, Y4 Quarterly the marginalized 150 190 M-2 M-1 M-204 900 tenure and property groups who have F-42 F-4 F-169 rights services from land accessed services governance institutions
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ANNEX C: LGSA MITIGATION MEASURES AND MONITORING PROTOCOL
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Activity & Condition Mitigation Measure(s) Monitoring Monitoring Budget Responsib Monitoring Log Indicator(s) & le Reporting Person(s) Verifier Verif. Conditio Frequency Date ns Satisfied Activity 1.1 Provide Advisory and LGSA will employ a proactive Project records Policy Integrated COP MLCW 3/29/1 Yes Demand Driven Support to Land approach to promote broad- (dated copies of engagement into activity 9 Policy Development based stakeholder engagement invitations/ efforts will be costs Condition: Technical assistance and in all policy development. This transcripts of reported in recommendations to the development of includes, for each such event: public quarterly policy and legal frameworks must be a) Distributing invitations and announcements reports. consistent with Liberian environmental issuing public announcements will be attached These regulations and should incorporate best to announce meetings/ to dated meeting reports will practice standards in land tenure, property consultations at least a week, agendas and document rights, and natural resource management. though preferably at least two meeting minutes clearly the weeks, prior to the event [inclusive of diversity of participant lists]) views that Mandatory reference: VGGTs b) Representatives from inform policy organizations with a diverse group of interests being invited decisions. USAID Sector Environmental Guidelines, into policy dialogue activities TA SOWs http://www.usaidgems.org/sectorGuidelines that support .htm, as applicable to the described TA. c) Collecting signed attendance/ participation forms decision- making d) Preparing and distributing processes. minutes from each event to all invitees (which will include the full list of participants) e) Request response and follow up from participants In addition, scopes of work will include reference to the need to ensure that broad interests are represented in decision- making processes and technical recommendations.
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Activity & Condition Mitigation Measure(s) Monitoring Monitoring Budget Responsib Monitoring Log Indicator(s) & le Reporting Person(s) Verifier Verif. Conditio Frequency Date ns Satisfied Activity 1.2 Conduct and Disseminate LGSA will develop and N/A Reported in Integrated COP MLCW 3/29/1 N/A Policy Research and Analysis implement a strategy of Quarterly into activity 9 Negative Determination, while the communicating sound Reports costs anticipated activities will not have direct environmental management as impact on land, they do have the potential it pertains to land use to effect indirect changes in land use management to land patterns, the scope of natural resource administrators/authorities, and management, and land management and governmental and non- thus, are subject to a Negative governmental organizations, Determination. land authorities and pilot communities in preparation for pilot activities. Activity 1.3 Develop and Disseminate The project will draft a N/A Reported in Integrated Communic MLCW 3/29/1 N/A Public Information on Proposed communications strategy to Quarterly into activity ations and 9 Reforms incorporate sound Reports costs Outreach Negative Determination, while the environmental management Specialist anticipated activities will not have direct practices in their training impact on land, they do have the potential courses and mentoring to LLA to effect indirect changes in land use and county authorities, and patterns, the scope of natural resource pilot communities. management, and land management and thus, are subject to a Negative Determination.
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Activity & Condition Mitigation Measure(s) Monitoring Monitoring Budget Responsib Monitoring Log Indicator(s) & le Reporting Person(s) Verifier Verif. Conditio Frequency Date ns Satisfied Activity 2.1 Support Master’s-Level Choose land governance Curriculum Reported in Integrated COP MLCW 3/29/1 N/A Training of GOL Land Governance trainings/ Master’s level training inclusive of Quarterly into activity 9 Institutions with best practice standards. international Reports costs Negative Determination with the following best practices on conditions: land tenure. Education and training curricula developed under the project should incorporate best practice standards in land tenure and property rights, natural resource management and environmental compliance, as relevant. Mandatory references: VGGTs and the Environmental Guidelines for Small-Scale Activities in Africa. Activity 2.2 Support Decentralized For all training with Curriculum Reported in Integrated COP MLCW 3/29/1 N/A Management and Institutional government officials LGSA will inclusive of Quarterly into activity 9 Capacity Development Including research and document best international Reports costs Training practices relevant to the best practices on Negative Determination with the following project scope in land tenure land tenure. conditions: and property rights, natural Education and training curricula developed resource management and under the project should incorporate best environmental compliance. practice standards in land tenure and property rights, natural resource management and environmental compliance, as relevant. Mandatory references: VGGTs and the Environmental Guidelines for Small-Scale Activities in Africa.
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Activity & Condition Mitigation Measure(s) Monitoring Monitoring Budget Responsib Monitoring Log Indicator(s) & le Reporting Person(s) Verifier Verif. Conditio Frequency Date ns Satisfied Activity 2.3 Increase Awareness and LGSA will draft a Training Reported in Integrated Communic MLCW 3/29/1 Yes Capacity of GOL Land Governance communications strategy to curriculum Quarterly into activity ations and 9 Institutions incorporate sound inclusive of Reports costs Outreach Negative Determination with the following environmental management international Specialist conditions: practices in their training best practices on Education and training curricula developed courses and mentoring to LLA land tenure. under the project should incorporate best and county authorities, and practice standards in land tenure and pilot communities. property rights, natural resource management and environmental compliance, as relevant. Mandatory references: VGGTs and the Environmental Guidelines for Small-Scale Activities in Africa. Activity 2.4 Preservation of DLSC Preservation of DLSC N/A Reported in Integrated COP MLCW 3/29/1 N/A Documents documents will be consistent Quarterly into activity 9 Condition: Categorical Exclusion pursuant with Liberian environmental Reports costs to regulations and will §216.2(c)(2)(xiv) Studies, projects, or incorporate international best programs intended to develop the practice standards in land capability of recipient countries to engage tenure, property rights, and in development planning, except to the natural resource management. extent they are designed to result in activities directly affecting the environment.
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Activity & Condition Mitigation Measure(s) Monitoring Monitoring Budget Responsib Monitoring Log Indicator(s) & le Reporting Person(s) Verifier Verif. Conditio Frequency Date ns Satisfied Activity 2.5 Introduction of Spatial Spatial Data Infrastructure and Consistent with Reported in Integrated COP MLCW 3/29/1 N/A Data Infrastructure and Data Standards will be Liberian Quarterly into activity 9 Implementation of Data Standards consistent with Liberian environmental Reports costs for the Land Information System environmental regulations and regulations and Condition: Technical assistance and will incorporate international incorporate recommendations to the development of best practice standards in land international policy and legal frameworks must be tenure, property rights, and best practices in consistent with Liberian environmental natural resource management. land tenure. regulations and should incorporate best practice standards in land tenure, property rights, and natural resource management. Mandatory reference: VGGTs and USAID Sector Environmental Guidelines, http://www.usaidgems.org/sectorGuidelines .htm, as applicable to the described TA. Activity 2.6 Develop Business Plan for LLA Business Plan will be N/A Reported in Integrated COP MLCW 3/29/1 N/A Liberia Land Authority and Support consistent with Liberian Quarterly into activity 9 Institutional Transition and environmental regulations and Reports costs Establishment of Management will incorporate international Systems for Sustainability best practice standards in land Categorical Exclusion pursuant to tenure, property rights, and §216.2(c)(2)(xiv) Studies, projects, or natural resource management. programs intended to develop the capability of recipient countries to engage in development planning, except to the extent they are designed to result in activities directly affecting the environment.
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Activity & Condition Mitigation Measure(s) Monitoring Monitoring Budget Responsib Monitoring Log Indicator(s) & le Reporting Person(s) Verifier Verif. Conditio Frequency Date ns Satisfied Activity 2.7 Support Public Outreach LGSA will draft a N/A Reported in Integrated Communic MLCW 3/29/1 Yes and Awareness communications strategy to Quarterly into activity ations and 9 Negative Determination, while the incorporate sound Reports costs Outreach anticipated activities will not have direct environmental management Specialist impact on land, they do have the potential practices in their training to effect indirect changes in land use courses and mentoring to LLA patterns, the scope of natural resource and county authorities, and management, and land management and pilot communities. thus, are subject to a Negative Determination. Activity 3.1 Develop Learning Agenda Learning Agenda and N/A Reported in Integrated Communit MLCW 3/29/1 N/A for Customary Land Rights subsequent studies will be Quarterly into activity y 9 Implementation consistent with Liberian Reports costs Engagemen Categorical Exclusion environmental regulations and t Specialist Categorical Exclusion pursuant to will incorporate international best practice standards in land §216.2(c)(2)(xiv) Studies, projects, or tenure, property rights, and programs intended to develop the natural resource management. capability of recipient countries to engage in development planning, except to the extent they are designed to result in activities directly affecting the environment.
28 LAND GOVERNANCE SUPPORT ACTIVITY FY19 QUARTER 2 REPORT (JANUARY - MARCH 2019)
Activity 3.2 Develop, Field Test & • Pilot activities will be • Consistent Reported in Integrated Communit MLCW 3/29/1 N/A Revise Processes for Customary Land consistent with Liberian with Quarterly into activity y Land 9 Rights Implementation environmental regulations Liberian Reports costs Rights Negative Determination subject to the and will incorporate environment Specialist following conditions: international best practice al • Pilot activities for the implementation standards in land tenure, regulations of customary land rights will property rights, and and incorporate best practice standards in natural resource incorporate land tenure, property rights, and management. international community-based natural resource • Train pilot communities on best management, including the Voluntary best practices addressing practices in Guidelines on the Responsible issues of sustainable land land tenure. Governance of Tenure of Land, use and management, • Training Fisheries and Forests in the Context of social impacts of land use curriculum National Food Security and the planning, and inclusive of Environmental Guidelines for Small- environmental soundness. international Scale Activities in Africa. • Monitor pilot activity sites best • All pilot activities will include capacity for changes in land use, practices on building of customary land holding particularly changes in land tenure. groups consistent with good practice forest cover, compared • No changes guidelines and addressing issues of with similarly-situated in land use, sustainable land use and management, control communities. particularly social impacts of land use planning, and changes in environmental soundness. forest cover • A comprehensive environmental in pilot mitigation and monitoring plan must be activity sites. developed for all potential land governance field pilot activities. The EMMP must abide by the ‘best practice’ standards in land tenure and property rights, natural resource management and environmental compliance, including, but not limited to, the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security and the Environmental Guidelines for Small-Scale Activities in Africa. The
LAND GOVERNANCE SUPPORT ACTIVITY FY19 QUARTER 2 REPORT (JANUARY – MARCH 2019) 29
Activity & Condition Mitigation Measure(s) Monitoring Monitoring Budget Responsib Monitoring Log Indicator(s) & le Reporting Person(s) Verifier Verif. Conditio Frequency Date ns Satisfied EMMP must be reviewed and approved by the AOR/COR and Mission Environmental Officer. All field pilot activities will then be reviewed within the framework of the approved EMMP. Field pilot activities not covered within the scope of the approved EMMP will trigger an additional screening process, as set out by the AFR Environmental Review Form/Environmental Review Report ERF/ERR (available at http://www.usaidgems.org/subsidiary.ht m). In these cases, the ERF/ERR must be completed and approved by the AOR/COR and MEO prior to awards for pilot activities. • Pilot activities will be monitored for changes in land use, particularly changes in forest cover, compared with similarly-situated control communities.
30 LAND GOVERNANCE SUPPORT ACTIVITY FY19 QUARTER 2 REPORT (JANUARY - MARCH 2019)
Activity & Condition Mitigation Measure(s) Monitoring Monitoring Budget Responsib Monitoring Log Indicator(s) & le Reporting Person(s) Verifier Verif. Conditio Frequency Date ns Satisfied Activity 3.3 Facilitate Community- • Pilot activities will be • Consistent Reported in Integrated Communit MLCW 3/29/1 Yes Led Processes to Strengthen consistent with Liberian with Quarterly into activity y Land 9 Community Land Governance environmental regulations Liberian Reports costs Rights Negative Determination with the following and will incorporate environment Specialist conditions: international best practice al Education and training curricula developed standards in land tenure, regulations under the project should incorporate best property rights, and and practice standards in land tenure and natural resource incorporate property rights, natural resource management. international management and environmental • Train pilot communities on best compliance, as relevant. best practices addressing practices in land tenure. Mandatory references: Voluntary issues of sustainable land Guidelines on the Responsible Governance use and management, • Training of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in social impacts of land use curriculum the Context of National Food Security planning, and inclusive of and the Environmental Guidelines for environmental soundness. international Small-Scale Activities in Africa. best practices on land tenure.
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Activity & Condition Mitigation Measure(s) Monitoring Monitoring Budget Responsib Monitoring Log Indicator(s) & le Reporting Person(s) Verifier Verif. Conditio Frequency Date ns Satisfied Activity 3.4 Conduct Capacity Train pilot communities on Training Reported in Integrated Communit MLCW 3/29/1 N/A Building of Communities, Local best practices addressing issues curriculum Quarterly into activity y Land 9 Institutions and Stakeholders of sustainable land use and inclusive of Reports costs Rights Negative Determination with the following management, social impacts of international Specialist conditions: land use planning, and best practices on Education and training curricula developed environmental soundness. land tenure. under the project should incorporate best practice standards in land tenure and property rights, natural resource management and environmental compliance, as relevant. Mandatory references: Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security and the Environmental Guidelines for Small-Scale Activities in Africa. Activity 3.5 Develop Phased and Implementation Plan will be N/A Reported in Integrated Communit MLCW 3/29/1 N/A Costed Implementation Plan consistent with Liberian Quarterly into activity y Land 9 Categorical Exclusion pursuant to environmental regulations and Reports costs Rights §216.2(c)(2)(xiv) Studies, projects, or will incorporate international Specialist programs intended to develop the best practice standards in land capability of recipient countries to engage tenure, property rights, and in development planning, except to the natural resource management. extent they are designed to result in activities directly affecting the environment.
32 LAND GOVERNANCE SUPPORT ACTIVITY FY19 QUARTER 2 REPORT (JANUARY - MARCH 2019)
Activity & Condition Mitigation Measure(s) Monitoring Monitoring Budget Responsib Monitoring Log Indicator(s) & le Reporting Person(s) Verifier Verif. Conditio Frequency Date ns Satisfied Activity 3.6 Disseminate Action Dissemination of findings will N/A Reported in Integrated COP MLCW 3/29/1 Yes Research Findings be consistent with Liberian Quarterly into activity 9 Negative Determination, while the environmental regulations and Reports costs anticipated activities will not have direct will incorporate international impact on land, they do have the potential best practice standards in land to effect indirect changes in land use tenure, property rights, and patterns, the scope of natural resource natural resource management. management, and land management and thus, are subject to a Negative Determination. Activity 4.1 Design and Implement LGSA will draft a N/A Reported in Integrated Communic MLCW 3/29/1 Yes Public Information Campaigns communications strategy to Quarterly into activity ations and 9 Negative Determination, while the incorporate sound Reports costs Outreach anticipated activities will not have direct environmental management Specialist impact on land, they do have the potential practices in their training to effect indirect changes in land use courses and mentoring to LLA patterns, the scope of natural resource and county authorities, and management, and land management and pilot communities. thus, are subject to a Negative Determination. Activity 4.2 Develop and Manage N/A N/A N/A N/A Subcontrac MLCW 3/29/1 Yes GUC Supporting Civil Society and ts and 9 Private Sector Grants Mitigation measures flow down to grantees Specialist as appropriate.
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Activity & Condition Mitigation Measure(s) Monitoring Monitoring Budget Responsib Monitoring Log Indicator(s) & le Reporting Person(s) Verifier Verif. Conditio Frequency Date ns Satisfied Activity 4.3 Strengthen Private Train professional Training Reported in Integrated Land MLCW 3/29/1 N/A Professional Organizations of organizations on best practices curriculum Quarterly into activity Administrat 9 Surveyors and Land Professionals addressing issues of sustainable inclusive of Reports costs ion Negative Determination with the following land use and management, international Specialist conditions: surveying, geodesy, social best practices on Education and training curricula developed impacts of land use planning, land tenure. under the project should incorporate best and environmental soundness. practice standards in land tenure and property rights, natural resource management and environmental compliance, as relevant. Mandatory references: Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security and the Environmental Guidelines for Small-Scale Activities in Africa.
34 LAND GOVERNANCE SUPPORT ACTIVITY FY19 QUARTER 2 REPORT (JANUARY - MARCH 2019)
U BURPHY, TECH TETRA BURPHY, U PHOTO CREDIT: RICHLE PHOTO
U.S. Agency for International Development 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20523 Tel: (202) 712-0000 Fax: (202) 216-3524 LAND GOVERNANCE SUPPORTwww.usaid.gov ACTIVITY FY19 QUARTER 2 REPORT (JANUARY – MARCH 2019) 35