About MRLG

MRLG is a collaborative project dedicated to protecting land rights and promoting sustainable development in the Mekong Region. We believe that land is a fundamental resource, essential to the livelihoods and cultural identities of communities. However, investments in infrastructure, agribusiness, and development projects are putting increasing pressure on land resources, threatening the way of life for many smallholder farmers.

• To secure and document the traditional land ownership rights of communities.
• To advocate for responsible agricultural investment practices that benefit both farmers and investors.
• To influence and improve land governance policies and practices at all levels.

Our Approach

• Building alliances: We collaborate with governments, civil society organizations, the private sector, and academia to leverage diverse expertise and perspectives.
• Focused interventions: We work on two key areas: recognition of customary tenure and responsible agricultural investment.
• Multi-level impact: We work at regional, national, and sub-national levels to create lasting change.
• Practical action: We support pilot projects, conduct research, facilitate dialogue, and share best practices.

Our Strategy

MRLG employs a range of strategies to address issues related to land governance:

Policy and Law Reform:

• Policy analysis and advocacy for improved land governance policies.
• Legal drafting and review to ensure alignment with best practices.

Capacity Building and Community Empowerment:

• Training programs for stakeholders to manage land and advocate for rights.
• Community mobilization and engagement to ensure voices are heard.
• Awareness-raising campaigns to educate communities about land rights.

Promoting Innovation and Best Practices:

• Pilot projects demonstrating innovative land management approaches.
• Research and knowledge sharing to inform policy and program design.
• Dissemination of resources like tools and guidelines.

Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration:

• Multi-stakeholder platforms for dialogue and collaboration.
• Joint advocacy efforts to promote best practices.
• Networking and knowledge exchange across the Mekong Region.

5. Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Tracking progress and assessing impact of activities.
• Learning and adapting to improve MRLG’s approach.
• Sharing lessons learned to inform future initiatives.

Documentation and Dissemination:

• Case studies and success stories to inspire and showcase effectiveness.
• Knowledge products like policy briefs and research reports.
• Media and public engagement activities to raise awareness.

Project Governance

The MRLG project is governed by a Project Steering Committee (PSC). The PSC is comprised of representatives of the project donors (SDC, BMZ and Luxembourg) in Lao PDR. The role of the PSC is to provide technical and managerial direction and implementation oversight.

To support the PSC, in each country a National Advisory Committee (NAC) is established to provide oversight and advise on project activities. The NAC brings together a variety of voices, from government, civil society, academia, media and the private sector.