Lantmäteriet's ILAMP project in Liberia launched on Friday, December 3, 2021, a web-based geodata solution that contributes to improved cooperation between LLA (Liberia Land Authority) and civil society organizations. In Liberia, work is under way to formalize "customary land" in order to issue legal deeds for land that the rural population previously owned exclusively by customary law.
What does the tool mean for Liberia?
The launch of the Community Land Intervention Monitoring Tool (CLIMT) is an important step in securing the land rights of Liberia's rural population.
Liberia is a country where much of its ownership is built on customary law - so-called "customary land" - without a formally registered ownership. This is changing and many civil society organizations are involved in this process.
The challenge is that there is a lack of coordination between these organizations and the country's land authority; Liberia Land Authority (LLA).
The idea comes from Lantmäteriet
It is against this background that Lantmäteriet 's ILAMP project initiated the development of a tool that will facilitate the coordination of the efforts made in the field within land issues. The tool has since been developed by the organization Cadasta.
The need for coordination was discovered by Christopher Byren, who is Lantmäteriet 's project manager in Liberia, soon after he arrived in place in the country.
- It feels fantastic that through Lantmäteriet 's project we can contribute to improving the opportunities for Liberia's rural population, and especially women, to have legal title for the land they own, says Christopher Byren who demonstrated the tool during Friday's launch.
Reports into the tool
Civil society organizations can now quickly report their efforts, such as border survey work. This is done according to a data model designed by LLA, which thus ensures that the information is consistent.
The tool also contributes to a transparency in the process that is otherwise quite "closed" - even the public will be able to take part in some information and follow developments.
At the launch in Monrovia, invited guests from, among others, the LLA's management and various civil society organizations participated. Representatives from the Swedish embassy in Liberia were also present; including Johan Romare (Head of Development Cooperation, Deputy Head of Mission) and Charles Lawrence (National Program Officer).
"Completely crucial for Liberia's future"
Johan Romare believes that the cooperation between Lantmäteriet and the sister authority in Liberia is very important. The right to land and the question of who owns which land, was one of the main causes of the civil war in Liberia - and creates conflicts even today.
- This laborious work that Lantmäteriet is in the process of helping its counterpart in Liberia to be able to implement the legislation that now exists, with the different forms of ownership and user of land that are identified, it is completely crucial for Liberia's future, says Johan Romare.
Women's ability to take control of their lives
It's not just about land issues but also about democracy, human rights, about women's rights to be able to support themselves and take control of their lives by having power over the land that is their land and also about sustainable economic development.
- So we think that this cooperation is central and hope that it will lead to a real change, says Johan Romare.