USAID Strengthening Property Rights in Timor-Leste Project ("Ita Nia Rai" - "Our Land") Year 2, Second Quarter Report 2008/2009

The project is managed by ARD with implementation assistance from its partners, ACDI/VOCA, Belun, and Land Equity International Pty Ltd. The project is established under the Prosperity, Livelihoods, and Conserving Ecosystems (PLACE) IQC and is a nationwide process that proposes to capture both urban and rural land in the process. The project's objectives include developing an appropriate land policy and implementing legislation, establishing a National Land Commission, developing a national land cadastre, and designing and implementing a dispute resolution process. The project also aims to pay special attention to women's ownership rights, improve land administration systems, eliminate overlapping legal and judicial systems regarding land administration, reduce competing claims over property rights, and promote transparency in land administration. The project is supervised by the USAID/Timor-Leste Mission in coordination with the USAID/EGAT/NRM/Land Tenure Specialist, Dr. G. Myers. The project is expected to end in September 2012. The project's activities are comprised within five main components: Public Information Awareness, Land Policy Laws and Implementing Regulations, Support to a National Land Commission, Land Administration, and Dispute Resolution, Mediation, and Processes for Competing Claims to Land. In the second quarter of Year 2, the project continued to make progress in achieving its objectives. Task 1, Public Information Awareness, focused on supporting the implementation of project activities with timely, accurate, and effective public information and communication campaigns. The project conducted a series of events and activities to raise awareness about the project's objectives and activities, including a public awareness campaign in Liquica. Task 2 and 3, Land Policy, Laws, and Regulations/Support for National Land Commission, focused on working with the Government of Timor-Leste to develop an appropriate land policy and implementing legislation. The project assisted the Government in drafting a new land policy and implementing regulations, which were submitted to the National Parliament for approval. Task 4, Land Administration, focused on working with the Government to develop a national land cadastre to clarify and record property location, boundaries, assets, and claims. The project conducted a series of activities to support the development of the cadastre, including data collection and mapping. Task 5, Dispute Resolution, Mediation, and Processes for Competing Claims to Land, focused on designing and implementing a dispute resolution process that will resolve most conflicting claims to land and property in Timor-Leste. The project conducted a series of activities to support the development of the dispute resolution process, including training for land officials and community leaders. The project's performance monitoring report for the second quarter of Year 2 indicates that the project is on track to meet its objectives. The report highlights the project's progress in achieving its objectives, including the development of a new land policy and implementing regulations, the establishment of a National Land Commission, and the development of a national land cadastre. The project's public perceptions report indicates that the project has been well-received by the community, with high levels of awareness and support for the project's objectives and activities. The report highlights the project's success in engaging with the community and building trust and confidence in the project's activities. Overall, the USAID Strengthening Property Rights in Timor-Leste Project is making significant progress in achieving its objectives. The project's activities are focused on developing laws, systems, institutions, and capacity to clarify and secure property rights for all Timorese, and the project is expected to end in September 2012.