The Tenure Facility (RRI-ILFTF) 2014-2018

General

Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI) has applied to Sida for funding of SEK 100,5 million to carry out "International Land and Forest Tenure Facility - leveraging greater public and private commitment and finance to secure land rights in the forest and rural areas of the developing world" during four years 2014-2017. Sida has an on-going agreement on support to the Rights and Resources Initiative’s (RRI’s) framework program 2013-2017. The proposed contribution concerns additional support to RRI for a project that will develop, establish and test an independent, global facility that would contribute to secure land and forest tenure for smallholders (especially women), communities and Indigenous Peoples. The proposed contribution includes support to the establishment of the facility as well as to its operations during the first two years of implementation. Agreement partner for the contribution will be Rights and Resources Group (RRG), which is the secretariat of RRI. Clear and secure land tenure för local communities is an important precondition for several aspects of development, including sustainable use of natural resources, including decreased or avoided deforestation, increased resilience, economic development and enhancement of human rights and democratic societies. Special attention to securing women’s rights is part of the intervention's design. The facility would have two principal lines of action: 1. Provide funding and technical support for selected tenure reform projects proposed by civil society, Indigenous Peoples, governments and investors, in developing countries; and 2. Serve as a neutral platform for convening all kinds of stakeholders to coordinate commitments and develop shared community tenure reform strategies. The priority will be to promote reform that is beneficial for vulnerable groups and those in most need. The facility will not be structured to help to fund actions by private sector investors or companies to resolve tenure security in specific sites where they are active. Sida assesses the proposal to be relevant and innovative and that it therefore deserves further support. Sida has during 2012-2013 supported background studies and consultations for the preparations of the current proposal with SEK 1,5 million and has also contributed with comments on earlier versions. The proposed intervention's total budget is SEK 235,6 million (USD 35,16 million) and full finance is not yet confirmed, but support is expected mainly from Norway. There are positive indications also from other donors.

Objectives

Increased security of tenure for Indigenous Peoples and local communities in rural, forest, and dryland areas in order to contribute to climate and human rights goals, local and national economic development, forest governance, food security, and biodiversity conservation.