5 takeaways

1. Almost 1 in 2 actions that address climate, such as land restoration or protection of nature, relate to land. Improving land tenure, sustainable land management, and land access is critical for climate actions.
2. Attendees recognise the urgency to speed-up our efforts to achieve the 2030 agenda and the sustainable development goals. We need to deliver more with less,  and embrace new ways of thinking.
3. We must learn to tell stories about the impact of our work. These stories inspire, add value, and are essential for gathering support for our efforts.
4. Land rights empower local communities to address climate change.
5. We need more talented individuals and must be aware of the needs and expectations of the younger generation.

Kadaster's participation

Kadaster, ITC Faculty of the University of Twente, TU Delft and Geo-Informatie Nederland (GIN) represented the Netherlands. We contributed with topics like AI, recruiting and training surveyors, the land administration domain model (LADM) and international partnerships.

FIG will continue its advocacy, networking and knowledge sharing work across 2025. The next FIG Working Week is held in Cape Town, South Africa.

More information

• Learn more about FIG on FIG.net
   

User-friendly and accessible design

The application is map-based. Meaning users can mark the location where possible non-compliant land use takes place. They can also add additional information such as photos to clarify the situation. This makes for an accessible and easy to use design. 

Transparent yet private

Users can also see where situations have already been reported. Including the description and how the responsible authority has followed up on this. The application is open and transparent in character, while respecting the privacy regulations. No personal information is shown. In fact, people can opt to report and view anonymously. 

How authorities handle reports

The responsible authority can follow up on submitted reports within their jurisdiction. The verification process includes:

1. The authorities verify the submitted information.
2. They check if a permit has been issued allowing for the specific land use. 
3. If land use is indeed not compliant with the district land use plan, they’ll start an enforcement procedure. 

Launcing this year

We'll use the coming time to further develop the feedback application. Before launching it this fall, we’ll raise awareness among stakeholders and citizens to ensure the application is used.

More information

• As key stakeholder responsible for land use planning, the National Land Authority is in the lead for the development of the application.
• The Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) builds the application.
• Read more about our project in Rwanda on our project page.

Training and co-design in action

Since the beginning of this year, we give online and on-site training on new technologies and international best practices. Through interactive group discussion, presentations and continuous engagement, we’re co-designing an FFPLA approach for land recordation. Working together with the government, NGO’s (non-governmental organisations, municipalities and CSO’s (civil society organisations). The outcomes of our first project in Chad are used as a starting point to explore different design options including field data collection and  data validation processes.

Partners in technology

In May 2025, we partnered with Trimble, Geodelta, the QGIS community and ESRI to introduce our Chadian partners to various GNSS hardware and mapping software. These tools include professional survey applications, open source and commercial solutions. This hands-on experience and proof of concept allows us to finalise the co-design of the FFPLA approach. Our goal is to ensure that the mapping solution is cost-effective, sustainable, scalable, and culturally accepted.

Looking ahead

We are excited about the progress and upcoming pilot phase of the project. We are committed to improving land tenure security in Chad and look forward to seeing the positive impact of our efforts.

More information

• The Dutch Embassy supports Chad’s efforts to enhance land tenure security through the LAND-at-Scale program. This initiative funds the Improvement of Local Land Governance in Chad project, implemented by a consortium of Oxfam, FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation), and Kadaster. All in close collaboration with Chadian stakeholders.
• Read more about our project in Chad on our project page.

Introducing the sandbox approach

During the kick-off meeting, the 'sandbox approach' was introduced and discussed. This approach aims to make land regularisation easier and faster by addressing regulatory challenges. It needs the commitment of institutions like the Colombian Land Agency, the Ministry of Agriculture, the national mapping agency and the registry. There is a shared goal to simplify legal and administrative processes to formalise land titles in rural areas. Which is crucial for giving tenure security to poor farmers and other rural dwellers.

Strengthening indigenous communities

The project focuses as well on mapping indigenous land in the Santa Marta province with the support of indigenous communities. The Geographic Institute Agustín Codazzi (IGAC) and the Colombian Land Agency (ANT) are working together with these communities. They plan to train more indigenous people and their leaders to map their own land. This effort is supported by other agencies and international institutions, who see the fit-for-purpose method as very effective.

Follow-up actions

Kadaster plans to set up a technical working group to co-create the new sandbox. This group will work on making the fit-for-purpose approach more democratic and faster by utilizing a streamlined legal framework. The ultimate goal is to issue land titles more quickly, helping communities and ensuring tenure security.

Previous projects

In earlier projects, local communities, Colombian institutions, and Kadaster worked together on land mapping and registration. They created more efficient and less time-consuming procedures using a fit-for-purpose approach, setting the stage for the current 'booster' project.

More information

• Read more about our project in Colombia on our project page.

Leadership and management

The first week focused on leadership and management essentials. Together with 12 top NLA managers, we explored different leadership styles. We also discussed the importance of networking. Finally, we looked at how cross-functional teams can help with the digital transformation of core systems and workforces. 

Next-generation talent

The second week was dedicated to next-generation talent: 20 young or early career graduates from land administration, land use planning, land valuation and GeoICT. We investigated different tools, including AI and modern DB technologies, that will shape the way land agencies provide services to citizens in the future. 

Moving forward

The two-week training program was a significant step towards giving Rwanda's land professionals the skills and knowledge necessary for the digital age. By focusing on both leadership and next-generation talent, the NLA is well-positioned to embrace future challenges and opportunities. This initiative not only strengthens the agency's capacity, but also ensures that Rwanda remains at the forefront of innovative land administration practices.

More information

• We organised this training in collaboration with INES Ruhengeri, University of Twente (ITC Faculty), and Landmäteriet. 
• This project is funded by the Netherlands’ Enterprise Agency (RVO).
• Read more about our project in Rwanda on our project page.
   

Mapping the present and the future

These key partners will describe current Tunisian land registration and formalisation processes. They will also assess the impact of land disputes, the roles and responsibilities in the Tunisian government and the expectations of key stakeholders, especially young farmers. Kadaster will share land registration practices from the Netherlands, and will help develop a land consolidation plan suitable for Tunisia.

Taking the project forward

During the kick-off workshop in July 2024, the key partners agreed on how to cooperate and coordinate the project. They also set up a facilitation and coordination committee.

Kadaster advisor Marije Louwsma led in-depth working sessions on the status and practices of land administration in Tunisia, the types of land consolidation in the country, and their agricultural sector.

We shared experiences with working with the canvas, developing customer strategy scenarions and various forms of customer research. Using the customer canvas the participants reflected on what value they want to offer to their different users. And how they want to deliver on these promises.

Future work and goals

After two intensive days, the participants were tired but satisfied. One participant said: 'We learned a lot about marketing aspects, but we also learned how to work together in the workshop. We don't take the time for that in our daily work.'  Each team concluded with an action list that they presented to the director of ASIG. 

The follow up plans focus on customer value, partners, channels, customer promise and the possibility to create revenue. They want to achieve these goals through:

• Having more sessions to detail the ideas and plans created during the workshop.
• Developing the Marketing-function within ASIG (capability).
• Performing marketing research questionnaires to harvest needs and wishes from customers.
• Refining the marketing promise and strategy quarterly.

More information

• Read more about our project in Albania on the project page.

The challenge

National registries are heavily regulated, including land administration. Rapid advancements in fit-for-purpose (FFP) technologies and field data collection require adjustments to existing norms. This makes scaling up difficult. Those involved with the Colombian Land Agency emphasize the need to innovate regulations to simplify and speed up the process of land regularisation.

What does this approach look like in practice?

The idea is to regularise lands of several entire villages in a fast and affordable way, starting from scratch and ending with cadastral maps and accompanying formal titles. Without the usual obstacles of searching for old paper titles that can’t be found in governmental damp cellars all over the country, without old dated regulations on the minimal farm parcel size or without obsolete laws defining roughly the forest areas. This requires the formal support of all governmental institutions involved for each regulatory obstacle regulation that has to be lifted in the sandbox. 

Colombia's sandbox potential

Colombia’s Ministry of Commerce oversees the  possibility of executing sandboxes. Experiences in land administration and studies by Externado University highlight this approach’s importance for scaling up FFP innovations. 

Urgent need for efficiency

According to a recently released official document it will take 265 years to adjust the current informal land ownership to formal landownership for the entire country. The timeline worsens when considering the ongoing maintenance of land administration as the government often processes data slower than the changing reality. 

Support from RVO

The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) runs the Land-at-Scale programme. This programme supports a sandbox project in Colombian land administration. This project builds on RVO’s experience with applying FFP methodologies to simplify rural land administration rules.  Future plans include linking this project with a larger EU cooperation programme focused on peace and nature preservation.

More information

• Read more about the project in Colombia on our project page.

What are the key challenges in the land sector? 

“Key issues include defining clear responsibilities among stakeholders and establishing a cohesive vision for the land sector. Furthermore we need to update legislation that respects local customs and improve land administration procedures. Land disputes, widespread corruption and forgery in land transactions further complicate matters. Effective collaboration between judicial and land registry services is crucial to address these challenges and to manage land issues efficiently. Currently, more than 80% of disputes handled by courts are about land issues.”

What is your future vision for Chad?

“Looking ahead 10 to 15 years, Chad aims to draft a new national land policy to enhance property rights and land tenure. This policy should incorporate social and gender inclusiveness and innovative conflict mechanisms. It should also include the establishment of a ‘one-stop shop’ for land affairs. This should lead to streamlined land documentation processes. Other benefits are improved rural and urban living environments as well as better city management.”

What is needed to achieve this? And how can Kadaster play a role? 

“Reliable and up-to-date data is essential for effective land governance. It facilitates the planning of long-term land use, urban mapping and risk reduction strategies. However, utilising this data effectively requires education and training. Government agencies need to closely coordinate with development partners such as Kadaster. This is essential for successful data collection, analysis and management. The absence of accurate data hampers crisis planning and service provision. It hinders governments' ability to secure funding and undermines coordination efforts. Therefore, investing in data reliability and information infrastructure is critical for sustainable and equitable land management in Chad.”

Read more?

• More information on our cooperation with Chad can be found on the project page for Chad.
• Would you like to stay informed on news from Kadaster International? Then sign up for the digital newsletter Abroad.
• Read more about all of our international projects on the projects page. 
   

Reliability of land records

The PPMEC intensified their efforts to ensure the accuracy and reliability of land records. This is essential for effective governance. The project has identified more than 500.000 plots. Based on this information, the project implemented rigorous quality control measures to validate cadastral data. Relying on validated data promotes trust among stakeholders and facilitates informed decision-making. Both are crucial for development planning.

Our role

Kadaster is one of the 3 key partners in this project. We play a role in its execution and build capacity within the national responsible agency, ANDF (L’Agence Nationale du Domaine et du Foncier). We are the main advisor for building and maintaining the e-Foncier application. Enabling officials to manage and update land records efficiently ensures the land records’ quality and their accessibility for future reference.

More information

• Read more about the project in Benin on our project page.

The main goals of the IMLRI project were to:

1. digitally transform ATR/BPN into a customer-oriented data management entity
2. build public trust in land administration e-services through data quality improvements
3. complete the cadastral map with local participation methods

ATR/BPN managed to map over 80 million land parcels in the last five years. Half of those were also legalised. This is an enormous driver for economic growth and spatial planning. Furthermore it advances human rights in terms of ownership. 

Kadaster's role and project activities

We supported the ATR/BPN staff and leadership in speeding up this process. We provided capacity development, guidance, advice, hands-on know-how and many activities, including: 

• face-to-face workshops 
• webinar series
• knowledge exchange roadshows
• collaborative publications
• reviews of ATR/BPN services and tools

Overcoming challenges

All this was done mostly during the COVID-pandemic. This made travelling and knowledge exchange considerably more difficult. Despite these challenges we adapted our approach and visited 10 local offices to provide advisory support. We also trained more than 1000 ATR/BPN staff members across Java and Sumatra. 

Recent developments

At the wrap-up workshop in June 2024, it was evident that ATR/BPN made significant progress in digital transformation. And that this progress was partly based on Dutch Kadaster examples as PDOK and our Dutch Key Register system. New service standards and office designs ensure transparency and customer satisfaction. New apps and e-services are either developed or under development. Internal processes are being digitised. Data quality improvement programs are in place to enhance legal and spatial data.

Future collaborations

Looking ahead, there are many opportunities for further collaboration between Kadaster and ATR/BPN. We will continue to play a coaching role on topics including 3D cadastre, key registers, NSDI, land-use planning and value-add data product creation. An Memorandum of Understanding was signed at the end of 2023 to formalize this ongoing partnership.

More information

• Read more about this project in Indonesia on the project page.

The Land-at-scale programma

The Land-at-scale programme supports indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities. Aiding them in formalising land processes and fostering sustainable economic development in the various Colombian regions. The programme was implemented by Kadaster, Icco Conexión and Tropenbos Colombia.

More information

• Read more about the project of Kadaster in Colombia on the project page.
• For more information about the activities in the indigenous reserve, see the La Teófila story map.

Experiences from different countries

The LADM and the Social Tenure Domain Model (STDM) have gained wide recognition in many countries. These models offer proven solutions for strengthening land governance to meet climate targets and other Sustainable Development Goals. Over the last decade numerous countries have implemented LADM or are in the process of implementing it. Representatives from Colombia, Benin, Nepal, Uganda, Suriname, and Belize shared their insights on how implementing standards helps their land sector to improve decision making, empower citizens and provide tenure security. 

Interactive discussions and audience participation

Kadaster facilitated 3 panel discussion sessions together with partners such as Cadasta Foundation, Global Land Tool Network, Millennium Challenge Corporation and Land Equity International. In these sessions we saw active participation from country experts, representatives from civil society, governments, the private sector and the scientific community. An interactive Q&A session with approximately 140 attendees from the land sector complemented the panel discussions.

Key insights from the sessions

• Frameworks, standards and models only work when they are put into practice.
• Local involvement is powerful and provides more support to national governments.
• Mapping the existing situation based on a jointly defined data model will provide much-needed land tenure security to both citizens and governments.

Double efforts

With this in mind, we applaud the ambition of the World Bank Group to double its efforts from 5 to 10 billion USD in the next five years. Kadaster will support this ambition by providing advisory support and exchanging knowledge with partner organisations worldwide. More investment from the international community in this vital sector is needed to deliver on all Sustainable Development Goals.

More information

• For questions on this session, please contact us via e-mail at kadaster.international@kadaster.nl

Kadaster's participation

The Dutch Kadaster was an active participant during the week. We networked with development cooperation partners. We also shared knowledge on the latest cadastral developments, such as 3D cadastre, Public Services on Geospatial Data (PDOK), and innovations in National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI). We also chaired workshop sessions and task force groups on the Sustainable Development Goals, Fit-For-Purpose Land Administration, and the Land Administration Domain Model.

FIG will continue its advocacy, networking, and knowledge sharing work across 2024. The next FIG Working Week will be held in Brisbane, Australia, April 2025.

Workshop highlights:

The workshop’s key achievements were:

•    A deeper understanding of the climate change-land nexus.
•    Development of strategies for resilient land administration.
•    Innovative approaches to policymaking.
•    Legal frameworks tailored to climate adaptation.
•    Sustainable financial models for land management.

Moving forward together

The event sparked the creation of action plans and a network of experts committed to address the climate-change land nexus in nepal. Janak Raj Joshi, executive director of LMTC, said: "The workshop emphasised the vital need for an enhanced understanding of the climate change-land nexus. Addressing innovative governance, legal alignment with climate goals, sustainable financial models, and collaborative action plans. FELA was the perfect guidance to address all these issues."

More information

• Read more about this workshop at GLTN.net.
• Would you like to stay informed of international news from Kadaster International? Sign up for our newsletter Abroad.

Address women’s rights in land administration

The Land Administration Domain Model (LADM) is a relevant standard for land administration. Have a read on the publication "Women’s access to land and the Land Administration Domain Model (LADM): Requirements, modelling and assessment" that shows how the LADM can be tailored to better address women's needs and rights in land administration. The publication underscores the necessity of integrating gender perspectives into land administration systems to ensure that women's rights to land are established, recorded, recognised, and protected.

More information

Read the publication: Women’s access to land and the Land Administration Domain Model.

School for Land Administration Studies

Since 2006, the Faculty of Geo-information Sciences and Earth Observation (ITC) at the University of Twente and the Kadaster have been actively collaborating. This is done in the 'School for Land Administration Studies', with the aim of building capacity in the field of land administration. Courses aimed at knowledge transfer and innovation have enabled land professionals from low- and middle-income countries to develop. There has also been joint work on education, innovation and research. The active and intensive cooperation between Kadaster and ITC has contributed to further development of the domain of land administration, both in the Netherlands and abroad. The cooperation continues in this renewed cooperation agreement.

New: online educational resources

On the one hand, the cooperation is aimed at contributing practical knowledge and experiences from Kadaster  into regular Master education at ITC. On the other hand, its focus lies on enabling research on topics of common interest. It also focuses on jointly organising courses for land professionals in low- and middle-income countries. These courses focused on collecting, managing and accessing information about land (parcels, buildings and other spatial elements). These activities will be continued in the renewed cooperation. 
A new element in the cooperation is the digital disclosure of practical and basic knowledge through online educational tools. Prior to the signing, a Masterclass took place for colleagues from ITC and Kadaster on 'LADM in the classroom' (Land Administration Domain Model). An engaging example where Kadaster's practical knowledge was combined with ITC's educational experience.

Input from citizens and experts

For climate resilient land use planning, Kadaster International underlines the importance of having input from citizens (land users/ landowners), and reliable geo-information and expert knowledge. Such information improves informed decision-making about sustainable land use in view of the socio-economic and environmental developments a country faces.  

Increasing climate resilience

Mr Kayonga continues: “What I learned from Uganda and Mozambique is that participatory land use planning for increasing climate resilience is essential and needs more efforts for sustainable solutions”. To enhance a better understanding of planned land use, all land use plans at the district level in Rwanda are published on a digital geoportal   that is open for everyone to access. 

Enhancing participation is key

“In all 3 countries, climate change related challenges such as flooding, prolonged drought, depletion of natural resources, loss of biodiversity and land degradation need to be addressed in proper climate-resilient land use planning approach. Enhancing participation of citizens and stakeholders is key to incorporate in all steps of the planning process”, he concludes. 

More information

• The CLPA was held in Addis Ababa on 21-24 November 2023.
• With the LAND-at-scale project in Rwanda  , Kadaster International aims to support the National Land Authority with the implementation of sustainable and climate-resilient land use planning at the national level.  
• Get to know more LAND-at-scale projects on our projects page.
   

About UN-GGIM

UN-GGIM is an abbreviation of the United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management, which is the body for global policymaking in the field of geospatial information management.

Communicate and be transparent

To enhance support for collecting tax, it is key to be transparent about how money is spent and how citizens benefit. Providing land titles is a clear and tangible benefit and supports trust between the government and its inhabitants. We presented examples of property taxation in various countries, such as Ethiopia, Mozambique and Benin.
Currently, KI and VNGi combine forces in Mozambique and Benin. They support local and central governments to improve land surveying, registration and collect property tax on the local level. As a result, we see a steep tax collection curve in these countries in a short time period. Data collection and storage of ownership is sped up by using new technology like GIS and satellite imagery, while also working at the legal registration of rights. 

Building trust

Building trust between project partners, government entities and citizens is key for success in the long run. These combined efforts are effective as long as there is clear communication on how the collected tax was spent, for example, for building a school or a road. And a clear path to legal ownership of citizen’s properties is needed to see the long-term benefit of paying taxes. Legal ownership increases access to loans, provides protection to local malpractices by, for example, project developers, and it supports an open land market. 

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Kadaster International and VNGi in international explore possibilities for further cooperation. Building further on the relation between land rights, tenure security, geodata infrastructures and property taxation. This contributes to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For example to SDG 11 to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. But also to SDG 1, providing access to land which contributes to ending poverty and gender inequality. 

More information

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations inspire us to make a difference. Read more about what goals we contribute to.