LASED III would follow a two-pronged approach: (i) consolidating through complementary activities of the current SLC program under LASED II and expanding it into new SLC sites within the same provinces; and (ii) implementing an adapted approach into communities of indigenous peoples in new project provinces. The project would build on the successful and well-established procedures under LASED and LASED II for implementing SLC activities, but also adapt them to indigenous peoples’ communities. The project would have four main components plus a contingent emergency response component.

(Budget: US$20 million) This component focuses on the necessary preparatory and legal work to secure land.

  • Social Land Concession (SLC): Supports the formal process for allocating state private land for social purposes to poor households who lack land. This includes:

    • SLC Land Title processing for eligible recipients (who must meet criteria like 5 years of residency and 80% cultivation).

    • Preparation of SLC and Commune Land Use Plans (CLUPs).

  • Indigenous Communal Land Titling (ICLT): Supports the legal registration of collective land ownership for Indigenous Communities.

    • LASED III focuses on Phase 2.5 (application submission) and Phase 3 (title issuance) of the ICLT process.

    • A major focus is ensuring Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) from ICs at critical stages to protect their distinct cultural identity and practices.

  • Commune Land Use Planning (CLUP): Will support 450 communes in target districts to formulate their CLUPs, integrating SLC and ICLT sites for sustainable resource management.

slc-iclt slc-iclt

(Budget: US$57 million - Largest Component) This component finances the physical investments to make project sites viable and resilient. It prioritizes climate-resilient infrastructure.

  • Mandatory Minimum Standards: The project guarantees a minimum level of basic infrastructure for all residential plots in SLCs and ICLTs, including:

    • All-Weather Road Access: Residential plots must be no more than 2km from an all-weather road.

    • Domestic Water Supply: Residential plots must be no more than 150m from an improved water source.

    • Primary School Access: Maximum distance to a primary school must not exceed 3km.

    • Land Preparation: At least 0.5ha of agricultural land must be cleared for immediate farming.

  • Types of Infrastructure: Construction of: rural roads, small-scale irrigation systems, water supply and sanitation, schools, health posts, and community centers.

  • Settling-In Assistance (SLCs Only): Providing land recipients with domestic starter kits (e.g., water jar/filter) and agricultural starter kits (implements, seeds, fertilizer).

Infrastructure Infrastructure

(Budget: US$20 million) This component supports beneficiaries in establishing sustainable, climate-smart livelihoods.

  • Support & Training: Provision of follow-up on settling-in assistance and implementation of a comprehensive agricultural services strategy.

  • Climate-Smart Agriculture: Training focuses on resilient crops, agroforestry, integrated water management, and climate information services to enhance system resilience.

  • Community Organization: Support the establishment or strengthening of Agricultural Cooperatives (ACs), Revolving Fund Groups (RFGs), and other economic interest groups.

  • Revolving Fund Seed Grants: Financial support will be channeled through established groups, calculated at a provisional amount of US$280 per household, to maximize productivity and income.

  • Livelihood Support (SLCs Only): A food-for-work program will provide rice assistance (approx. 365kg for a family of five for one year) to agricultural land recipients during their first year of planting.

Agriculture Agriculture

(Budget: US$10 million) This ensures effective project execution, robust monitoring, and capacity building.

  • Coordination: Led by the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction (MLMUPC) as the Executing Agency (EA) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery (MAFF) as the Implementing Agency (IA).

  • M&E: Implements a strong monitoring system, including baseline, mid-term, and final evaluations, tracking gender-disaggregated indicators and utilizing an updated Management Information System (MIS) for transparency.

Management