Accountability and grievance mechanisms related to land tenure: Call for submissions

Inclusive land tenure governance and ensuring that human and legitimate land rights are respected and safeguarded is vital for achieving Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN). 

Without accessible and transparent grievance and accountability mechanisms, negative social, economic or environmental impacts may undermine efforts to achieve LDN and other development goals, especially at the local level. 

Decision 28/COP.16 of the UNCCD recognized the importance of accountability and grievance mechanisms in addressing land tenure issues. It called for the Secretariat and the Global Mechanism to enhance awareness of existing mechanisms, ensuring the widest possible reach among stakeholders.

In response, the UNCCD-FAO Initiative on land tenure is developing a Compendium of accountability and grievance mechanisms related to land tenure to raise awareness on the diverse range of existing mechanisms, highlighting best practices in formal, informal and customary systems used across various levels — from local, national, regional to international — around the world.

Call for submissions

To support this initiative, the UNCCD and FAO are seeking case studies, reports, policy briefs, guidelines or any other written materials related to accountability, grievance or dispute resolution mechanisms at the local, municipal, provincial and national levels.

These can include state-based judicial and non-judicial mechanisms, non-state-based mechanisms – customary, traditional, CSO-led or local mechanisms – regional or international mechanisms, business-led mechanisms and any other innovative and hybrid mechanisms.

The submission must clearly outline:

• Relevance to land tenure and desertification, land degradation and drought
• Type of grievance or alternative dispute resolution mechanism
• Inclusivity, accessibility and affordability
• Effectiveness and impact
• Long-term viability and sustainability

How to contribute

Download and fill out the submission form from the menu on the right. The deadline for initial submissions is 30 September 2025. You will receive a confirmation that your submission has been received. The submissions will be screened based the completeness and quality of the information provided, and the criteria above. A submission does not mean a guaranteed inclusion in the Compendium. Please to sure to provide your contact information for any follow-up. 

Your contribution will help shape a global resource that promotes the adoption of inclusive, accessible and transparent grievance and accountability mechanisms as a means to achieving LDN and other land restoration goals.