a[data-mtli~="mtli_filesize202kB"]:after {content:" (202 kB)"}lang="en-GB"> Research and policy papers sought for land rights-focused Project Larona - Corruption Watch
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Research and policy papers sought for land rights-focused Project Larona

Split photo of a research laptop and a woman on the land

Corruption Watch (CW) has put out a call for research and policy papers in relation to its Project Larona, an initiative that aims to help address income and wealth inequality related to land rights, land reform, and access to natural resources, by ensuring that those living in traditional areas are able to have a greater say over the decisions affecting their land. Vulnerable communities’ livelihoods and the right to claim compensation is often tied to the recognition of land rights.

The overarching theme of the research is Leaving No-one Behind.

The deadline for the application and abstract is the close of business on 3 July 2022. Full drafts must be submitted by 30 December 2022, and final papers are due by 28 February 2023. CW envisions the development of a book from the series of working papers submitted.

To apply, please provide:

Please send the aforementioned documents to admin@corruptionwatch.org.za with the subject line “Project Larona Research Papers” by 17h00 (SAST) on 3 July 2022.

Download the full research brief.

Background

Project Larona falls under the European Union Rallying Efforts to Accelerate Progress project (EU REAP), a multi-jurisdictional initiative which commenced in July 2021. It is led by the Transparency International Secretariat and funded by the European Commission (EuropeAid). EU REAP focuses on directly supporting groups at the intersection of income, wealth and social inequalities, who have been among those most left behind in Kenya and South Africa, and more broadly in Africa.

CW is taking the lead on EU REAP interventions in South Africa – these will focus on the creation of platforms for land right holders in mine-affected areas, so they may actively participate in decision-making processes that affect their land, property, environment and livelihoods. This includes research, advocacy and public outreach initiatives throughout the project’s life. For meaningful change to occur in these sectors, opportunities need to be given to communities and groups needs to be engaged and make significant contributions. Thus, key issues are what strategies and means need to be adopted to combat these problems.

Research focus

An aim of the project is to develop a series of working papers that are a combination of research and policy which could later become a book. The intent is to develop materials for law and policy makers, judicial officers, private sector actors, civil society organisations, and so on, to be able to analyse significant policy issues in land reform and natural resource governance, with a view of offering constructive solutions.

The research is meant to be a combination of theory and praxis in each area that is to be researched as laid out in the full research brief. Each paper should ascertain the problems, which are the various communities that are suffering and affected by the specific area being researched, and then advocate for legal and policy reform to promote those from traditional communities being better able to participate in the various decision-making processes.

The research is to be conducted through the lens of strengthening of democracy, addressing corruption vulnerabilities, and the protection of human rights. This is to promote the overarching theme of addressing income and wealth inequality related to land rights and mining, among others. This includes land reform, access to natural resources, as well as creating mechanisms for those living in traditional communities to be able to participate in decisions affecting their land and to claim their right to compensation if they have to leave their land and so on.

Timeline of the project

Application process to participate in the project

Financial aspects:

Payments in the range between R20 000 and R85 000, depending on the researcher’s background, experience, publications, degrees etc.

To apply to be part of this project, please provide:

Please send the aforementioned documents to admin@corruptionwatch.org.za with the subject line “Project Larona Research Papers” by 17h00 (SAST) on 3 July 2022.

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