The main objective of the LAND-at-scale program is to directly strengthen essential land governance components for men, women and youth that have the potential to contribute to structural, just, sustainable and inclusive change at scale. An ambitious objective, that cannot be achieved in isolation. Alignment is, therefore, a key factor in all LAND-at-scale activities - be it at project level for our country interventions or through our collaborative approach to knowledge management. Besides alignment with the land sector, an important aim for LAND-at-scale is to align and connect with ongoing processes within the Dutch government and to raise awareness on land governance issues there.

LAND-at-scale is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO, according to our Dutch abbreviation) manages the program. RVO is a separate organization within the Dutch government and, among many other mandates, manages international development programs for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Our IATI database holds over 4,000 different development cooperation projects. Many of these projects focus on private sector development, agricultural value chains, or (financial and knowledge) support to Dutch enterprises working abroad. In several of these projects, land plays an important role. The LAND-at-scale program can therefore make a difference by raising awareness and strengthening the capacities of our colleagues at RVO on how to deal with land governance issues if and when it plays a role in their projects or programs.

The Dutch Good Growth Fund (DGGF) is one of these programs where land sometimes plays a role. The DGGF program aims to assist entrepreneurs working in emerging markets and developing economies by helping them find financing for their interventions, among other aspects. An important criteria is that these entrepreneurs have to ensure their activities contribute to economic and social improvements in the country. This includes guidance to entrepreneurs on how to adhere to their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).  

The LAND-at-scale Team at RVO provided a basic land governance course for the CSR team within the DGGF program, tailored to their needs and the land-related challenges they encounter in their projects. This included tips and tricks for assessing applications for loans and providing useful contacts within the land governance field, for instance local CSOs or consultants. This course resulted in an adaptation of the DGGF CSR intake form and in a shortlist of helpful sources which are now used by the DGGF advisors, but which can also be used by small and medium-sized enterprises or other private sector parties.

The DGGF training is just the beginning: LAND-at-scale is committed to increase knowledge of land governance within RVO programs, among colleagues as well as implementing partners. We look forward to learning from our country projects and sharing our knowledge inside and outside RVO.