1.
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT TO IMPLEMENT THE
VGGT
FAO
06.10.2017 – 14.00-15.30

2.
Key issues, challenges and opportunities
1. The VGGTs can be difficult to understand and grasp. FAO has undertaken capacity
development activities to make them available and comprehensible to to different
audiences. Training is based on needs assessment. A mixture of delivery methods:
e-learning, tutoring, face-to-face training, action plans and their follow-up.
2. Capacity development programmes have enabled to: i) discuss and influence
national policy and legal developments, ii) improve governance mechanisms, iii)
build capacities at different levels, iv) generate research initiatives
3. Understanding on tenure governance is increasing among government institutions,
civil society, right holders. However, there are uncertainties in the continuous
application of legal frameworks and reluctancies of governments towards change.
4. Manage the expectations of participants. Challenges in implementing the ‘action
plans‘ nationally and inside organisations.

3.
Main lessons learned/recommendations
1. Capacity development should not happen in vacuum but tailored into national and
institutional contexts, and on-going policy discussions and projects. Increased
understanding among actors over tenure issues can improve the implementation
of these projects and help with formulation of policies and laws.
2. Involve key participants - game changers – in training events. They could take the
lessons forward and replicate the trainings.
3. Capacity development is a way to increase the commitment of actors and can
motivate them to develop own activities and look for funding.
4. Capacity development activities can provide a platform to strenghthen
collaboration between government, civil society, experts and also between
countries.

4.
Next steps – the way forward
1. Continue to raise awareness on legitimate tenure rights and VGGTs
through appropriate means at all levels (government officials, civil
society, local communities).
2. Facilitate the meaningful participation of CSOs and local rights holders
in national training events/ platforms. Scale-up training for CSOs.
3. Bring in new thematic areas.
4. Increase training events at district/local levels.
5. Develop targeted training to different actors (e.g. customary leaders,
youth) and professional groups (surveyors).