Governance, Land & Development

Lesson 1

1.1 1. Why land governance matters

Land is rarely just a physical site. It can hold identity, livelihood, power, memory and political value. In fragile contexts, a well-intended project can cause harm if it ignores who uses, controls or claims land.

Ask who owns, uses, rents, inherits or manages the land.
Check whether rights are formal, customary or disputed.
Look for groups who may be excluded from decisions.

Practical Exercise

Think of a current or past project site. Write down three different people or groups who may have rights, claims or interests in that land.

Summary

Land governance affects access, safety, legitimacy and project sustainability. Early questions reduce later conflict.

AI media brief — needs your media

Media to add: Video

Film a short introduction from an instructor standing near a neutral project site, such as a road, community facility or open plot.

Suggested caption: Land is more than a project location.

Suggested alt text: An instructor standing outdoors beside a community or development site.

Suggested narration script:

When we see a project site, we may notice the buildings, roads or open space first. But land also carries rights, relationships and history. Some people may own it formally, others may use it seasonally, inherit access through custom or depend on it for income. Before planning activities, we need to ask who has rights, who has influence and who might be left out. This helps teams avoid conflict and design interventions that are fairer and more durable.

Replace this brief with a real video block once the media is in the library.

Which question should field teams ask early when considering a project site?

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Lesson content: 1.1 1. Why land governance matters

Lesson 2

1.2 2. Fast land tenure risk scan

A tenure risk scan is a quick first look, not a legal judgement. Its purpose is to flag issues that need discussion, verification or specialist support before a project commits resources.

Check for competing claims or unclear boundaries.
Ask whether women, tenants, displaced people or minority groups have secure access.
Note any recent conflict, eviction, disaster or relocation.

Practical Exercise

Create a two-column note: ‘What we know’ and ‘What we must verify’. Add at least three tenure-related points for a real or hypothetical site.

Summary

A rapid scan helps teams identify land-related risks before plans become difficult to change.

AI media brief — needs your media

Media to add: Video

Record a screen demonstration of completing the tenure risk scan template for a fictional village infrastructure project.

Suggested caption: Example: completing a rapid tenure risk scan.

Suggested alt text: A screen recording showing a tenure risk checklist being completed.

Suggested narration script:

This template is designed for quick scoping. Start with what the team already knows, such as who currently uses the land and whether boundaries are clear. Then list what must be verified, including any customary claims, lease arrangements or recent displacement. Pay close attention to people who may not appear in formal records, such as tenants, women, pastoralists or displaced households. The aim is not to solve every issue immediately, but to decide what needs further consultation or specialist advice.

Replace this brief with a real video block once the media is in the library.

What is the main purpose of a rapid tenure risk scan?

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Lesson content: 1.2 2. Fast land tenure risk scan

Lesson 3

1.3 3. Map power, interest and influence

Stakeholder mapping helps teams understand who can affect a project, who is affected by it and whose voice may be missing. It is a practical entry point for light political economy analysis.

List institutions, leaders, user groups and excluded groups.
Rate each stakeholder’s influence and interest.
Plan how to engage, inform, consult or monitor them.

Practical Exercise

Draw a 2x2 matrix: high/low influence and high/low interest. Place five stakeholders from a project area into the matrix.

Summary

Stakeholder mapping makes power dynamics visible and supports better engagement choices.

AI media brief — needs your media

Media to add: Video

Film the instructor placing sticky notes on the matrix for a fictional water point or shelter project.

Suggested caption: Mapping stakeholders in minutes.

Suggested alt text: An instructor placing stakeholder sticky notes on a power and interest matrix.

Suggested narration script:

To build a fast stakeholder map, begin with names rather than categories. Include local authorities, customary leaders, land users, tenants, women’s groups, youth, service providers and any displaced or minority groups. Next, estimate each stakeholder’s influence over decisions and their interest in the project outcome. High influence and high interest groups need close engagement. Low influence but highly affected groups may need deliberate support to be heard. The matrix is not final; update it as you learn more.

Replace this brief with a real video block once the media is in the library.

Which stakeholder group may need deliberate support to be heard?

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Lesson content: 1.3 3. Map power, interest and influence

Lesson 4

1.4 4. Link land decisions to resilience

Land and development choices shape long-term resilience. A site may appear suitable today but become unsafe if flood, heat, erosion or resource pressure increases. Governance also affects who can adapt.

Check exposure to climate and environmental hazards.
Consider whether land use may increase conflict or scarcity.
Include local knowledge in resilience planning.

Practical Exercise

Choose one project activity and list two climate risks, two land governance risks and one action that could reduce both.

Summary

Resilient projects consider land rights, environmental change and local decision-making together.

AI media brief — needs your media

Media to add: Video

Film a short field-style explanation beside a drainage channel, hillside, dry field or other safe location that illustrates environmental risk.

Suggested caption: Resilience starts with site and governance choices.

Suggested alt text: An instructor explaining climate and land risks in an outdoor setting.

Suggested narration script:

A sustainable project is not only technically sound; it also fits the land, climate and governance context. Before choosing a site or activity, ask whether flood, drought, erosion, heat or resource scarcity could affect it. Then ask who has the authority and capacity to manage those risks. Local residents often know seasonal patterns, historic hazards and informal rules that are not written down. Combining this knowledge with technical checks helps teams avoid short-term fixes that create long-term vulnerability.

Replace this brief with a real video block once the media is in the library.

Why should climate resilience be considered alongside land governance?

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Lesson content: 1.4 4. Link land decisions to resilience