Building resilient mechanisms for inclusive and accountable local land governance

In 2013, Duah village in Liberia faced a serious challenge. Private company Lion Growth Ltd. was interested in the acquisition of Duah customary land. Duah’s local leaders struck a deal with the company without consulting the community. As a result, Duah community mobilised and rallied around their new mechanisms for inclusive, participatory land governance and, with the support of Namati and the Sustainable Development Institute (SDI), held their leaders accountable. The community convinced their elders to cancel the deal, and this victory protected the Duah’s customary land and livelihoods and legitimised the community’s new participatory, people-focused land governance system.

For additional land resources, visit the International Land Coalition’s Database of Good Practices at: http://www.landcoalition.org/en/good-practices

Year Published: 2016
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Uploaded on: Aug 05, 2016
Last Updated: Nov 30, 2017
Co-Authors: Jaron Vogelsang, Marena Brinkhurst, Ali Kaba
Issues: Community / Customary Land Rights, Community Organizing, Legal Aid & Public Interest Law, Policy Advocacy Tool Type: Case Study, Training Resources & Popular Education Target Population: Rural Method: Improving Governance, Accountability and Transparency, Mediation & Conflict Resolution, Negotiating with Private Firms, Promoting Citizens' Participation in Governance, Strengthening Customary Justice Systems Languages: English Regions: Liberia Nature of Impact: Acquisition of Remedy / Entitlement / Information, Change in institutional / government practice, Citizen Action & Participation, Citizens' Willingness to Act, Conflict resolution / Case resolution, Legal Knowledge and Skills, Positive Impact, Rights Consciousness, Sense of fair process Institutions Engaged: Elders, Traditional / Customary Authorities Evaluation Method: Case Studies