Empowering millions of women and men with a powerful tool they can use to improve their lives:

LAND RIGHTS

EXPLORE OUR IMPACT
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WHY DO LAND RIGHTS MATTER?

Around the world, people experiencing poverty often share three traits: they live in rural areas, rely on agriculture and forests to survive, and don’t have legal control over the land on which they depend. We offer the tools to help people lift themselves out of poverty. Stronger rights to land have the power to reduce poverty and conflict, increase economic activity, empower women, strengthen food security, and improve environmental stewardship — for an individual, a family, a community, and an entire country.
WHO WE ARE

ENGAGE

Landesa partners with progressive governments and civil society to develop pro-poor and gender-sensitive laws, policies, and programs that strengthen land rights for people experiencing extreme poverty. In Africa and Asia, our land rights experts work shoulder to shoulder with government officials, local leaders, and rural residents developing scalable, practical, and innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems – food insecurity, conflict, climate change, women’s lack of empowerment.
WHAT WE DO

EXPLORE

Strong, legal rights to land can provide people in rural areas with the opportunity, security, and incentive they need to invest in their land to improve their harvests and their lives. Learn more about the connection between land rights and the most significant challenges of our time, from nutrition to climate change, from inclusive economic development to gender equality.
RESOURCES

JOIN

In an era defined by concerns over food security, environmental sustainability, stubborn cycles of poverty, and conflict over land, strong land rights are critical. Landesa champions the power of land rights for people and communities in rural areas as a fundamental building block for a safer and more prosperous future. Join the global land rights movement—make your gift to Landesa today.
GIVE

RECENT NEWS
What's New

Staff Spotlight: Gina Alvarado

December 06, 2022

Learn more about Gina Alvarado, a Senior Research and Evaluation Advisor based in Washington, D.C. Gina began working for Landesa in 2017. 

Read More
Field Focus Blog

To protect women and uproot patriarchy means confronting the links between land and gender-based violence

December 05, 2022

We are inspired by the possibility of strengthening women’s land rights as a way to empower women socially and economically. One such potential benefit concerns the ways in which land rights may protect women from domestic or gender-based violence – a relevant topic as the global community observes the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence.

Read Article
Field Focus Blog

Working Together to Advance Respect for Land Rights

November 30, 2022

Mars is working with Landesa to create guidance for Mars’ suppliers in their efforts to respect and strengthen land rights. This framework is designed to provide practical steps that suppliers can take to respect the land rights of individuals, families, and communities.

Read Article
What's New

Staff Spotlight: Pinaki Halder

November 08, 2022

Learn more about Pinaki Halder, the National Director of Programs in India. Pinaki began working for Landesa in 2011.

Read More
Field Focus Blog

At COP27, a Call to Root Climate Action and Justice in Land Rights for Women and Rural Communities

November 07, 2022

In Bangladesh’s Sundarbans, life revolves around coastal mangrove forests. But as climate change effects worsen, livelihoods are under threat. Read about what global actors at COP27 can do amid the deepening climate crisis.

Read Article
Event

Landesa at COP27

November 04, 2022

While at COP27, Landesa staff are participating in the following side events, featuring conversations on loss and damage, Indigenous land rights, and gender equity. Where available, we've included links to register to attend or watch virtually.

See Event
Featured image for “To protect women and uproot patriarchy means confronting the links between land and gender-based violence”

To protect women and uproot patriarchy means confronting the links between land and gender-based violence

We are inspired by the possibility of strengthening women’s land rights as a way to empower women socially and economically. One such potential benefit concerns the ways in which land rights may protect women from domestic or gender-based violence – a relevant topic as the global community observes the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence.
Read More
Featured image for “Working Together to Advance Respect for Land Rights”

Working Together to Advance Respect for Land Rights

Mars is working with Landesa to create guidance for Mars’ suppliers in their efforts to respect and strengthen land rights. This framework is designed to provide practical steps that suppliers can take to respect the land rights of individuals, families, and communities.
Read More
Featured image for “At COP27, a Call to Root Climate Action and Justice in Land Rights for Women and Rural Communities”

At COP27, a Call to Root Climate Action and Justice in Land Rights for Women and Rural Communities

In Bangladesh’s Sundarbans, life revolves around coastal mangrove forests. But as climate change effects worsen, livelihoods are under threat. Read about what global actors at COP27 can do amid the deepening climate crisis.
Read More
Featured image for “Landesa at COP27”

Landesa at COP27

While at COP27, Landesa staff are participating in the following side events, featuring conversations on loss and damage, Indigenous land rights, and gender equity. Where available, we’ve included links to register to attend or watch virtually.
Read More
Featured image for “Land and Climate Conversations”

Land and Climate Conversations

In November, the world gathers in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, for the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27). To elevate the voices of our local partners, Landesa spoke with a few of our partners about climate change themes in their work.
Read More
Featured image for “Land Tenure: A Cross-Cutting Solution for Poverty, Climate Change, and Women’s Rights”

Land Tenure: A Cross-Cutting Solution for Poverty, Climate Change, and Women’s Rights

If we want to improve lives and alleviate poverty, achieve food security globally, and guarantee human rights and full dignity for all, we must invest in land rights for women.
Read More
What's New

Staff Spotlight: Gina Alvarado

December 06, 2022

Learn more about Gina Alvarado, a Senior Research and Evaluation Advisor based in Washington, D.C. Gina began working for Landesa in 2017. 

Read More
Field Focus Blog

To protect women and uproot patriarchy means confronting the links between land and gender-based violence

December 05, 2022

We are inspired by the possibility of strengthening women’s land rights as a way to empower women socially and economically. One such potential benefit concerns the ways in which land rights may protect women from domestic or gender-based violence – a relevant topic as the global community observes the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence.

Read Article
Field Focus Blog

Working Together to Advance Respect for Land Rights

November 30, 2022

Mars is working with Landesa to create guidance for Mars’ suppliers in their efforts to respect and strengthen land rights. This framework is designed to provide practical steps that suppliers can take to respect the land rights of individuals, families, and communities.

Read Article
What's New

Staff Spotlight: Pinaki Halder

November 08, 2022

Learn more about Pinaki Halder, the National Director of Programs in India. Pinaki began working for Landesa in 2011.

Read More
Field Focus Blog

At COP27, a Call to Root Climate Action and Justice in Land Rights for Women and Rural Communities

November 07, 2022

In Bangladesh’s Sundarbans, life revolves around coastal mangrove forests. But as climate change effects worsen, livelihoods are under threat. Read about what global actors at COP27 can do amid the deepening climate crisis.

Read Article
Event

Landesa at COP27

November 04, 2022

While at COP27, Landesa staff are participating in the following side events, featuring conversations on loss and damage, Indigenous land rights, and gender equity. Where available, we've included links to register to attend or watch virtually.

See Event
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Land rights are a key that unlocks a world of possibilities, giving rural families hope, opportunity, and the tools to lift themselves out of poverty. Become a partner in this global movement.
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