LAND-at-scale: Land governance for sustainable development
LAND-at-scale (LAS) is a land governance support programme aimed at low and middle-income countries. It focuses on sustainable and just land governance for everyone. This will result in improved use of land and natural resources for food, housing and production. It also helps reduce conflicts and competing claims over land. LAS runs from 2019 to 2033.
In early 2026, LAS launched its second phase. We are now accepting project ideas from Netherlands embassies in low and middle-income countries.
Do you work for a Netherlands embassy on the country list for LAS phase 2? Submit your LAS project ideas via landatscale@rvo.nl. You will find more information about the process below.
Are you active in land governance? Are you interested in partnering with us in one of the countries listed under phase 2? We are happy to involve you once we have selected the partner countries for this phase. Feel free to email us at landatscale@rvo.nl in the meantime.
What is the LAND-at-scale programme?
Improved land governance is essential for making a lasting impact on a country's sustainable development. It will help achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by supporting food and nutrition security, gender equality, economic development, climate action and peace and stability.
In low and middle-income countries, many people depend on secure land access for their livelihoods. The LAND-at-scale (LAS) programme promotes just, inclusive and sustainable land governance for everyone. It contributes to more economic development and social justice, with a strong focus on women's rights and climate change.
The programme funds small and large projects by supporting technical, legal and socio-economic solutions at local and national levels. It also supports cross-country knowledge development in land governance and global partnerships.
The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs finances LAS. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) manages the programme.
Budget and duration
LAS runs from 2019 to 2033.
During its first phase from 2019 until 2026, LAS implemented projects in 12 countries, with a €37.5 million budget.
The programme's second phase will run from 2026 to 2033, with a budget of €47.5 million.
For whom?
LAS is a programme for:
- embassies of the Netherlands in eligible partner countries;
- NGOs, CSOs, knowledge institutes and other organisations that would like to work with LAS.
Countries
LAS focuses on low and middle-income countries. We work in countries that are part of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs' focus areas. In particular, the programme is active in countries where it can build on earlier projects supported by the Netherlands government and other development partners.
Phase 1: 2019-2026
LAS has implemented projects in 12 countries: Burkina Faso, Burundi, Chad, Colombia, Egypt, Iraq, Mali, Mozambique, the Palestinian Territories, Somalia, Rwanda and Uganda. All projects will be finalised in 2026.
Phase 2: 2026-2033
The following embassies of the Netherlands are eligible to submit ideas for project support:
Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Colombia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Côte d'Ivoire, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, the Palestinian Territories, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Uganda, Vietnam and Yemen.
New project ideas and proposals for phase 2
The process for developing new LAS project ideas in phase 2 is as follows:
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Embassies submit their project ideas
Embassies of the Netherlands listed in the LAS phase 2 country list submit their ideas in the first quarter of 2026. RVO has shared this list with the embassies concerned. Please use the Word template RVO sent you.
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Selection of project ideas
After assessing all ideas, RVO will select the high-potential ones for further scoping.
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Stakeholder involvement
In selected countries, RVO will involve international and in-country stakeholders who are active in land governance. In April, May or June 2026, they will be invited to discuss opportunities to engage in new projects.
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Call for concept notes
RVO will develop and publish a call for concept notes via several communication channels.
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Request for full project proposals
Later in 2026, RVO will request full project proposals for the selected concept notes.
How to stay up to date
Stay informed about updates via our LAS communication channels:
Programme highlights and results
Download the infographic below for a quick overview of the LAND-at-scale programme and its results during the first phase. Are you interested in learning more about how land governance drives sustainable development? Then read our latest brochure, which includes examples highlighting the programme's impact in different countries.
Downloads
Implemented projects
LAS has projects in Burkina Faso, Burundi, Chad, Colombia, Egypt, Iraq, Mali, Mozambique, the Palestinian Territories, Somalia, Rwanda and Uganda.
For an overview of the development cooperation projects that LAS has supported in the first phase, visit our Development Cooperation Projects database. You can filter the information by location, sector, programme and more.
Our projects in practice
Watch the video below about our projects in several countries.
Combined strategies
LAND-at-scale takes a programmatic approach to land governance. Projects aim to expand successful approaches or test new methods that can be widely used. A coherent mix of strategies proves most effective. So, LAS combines several strategies within countries, including:
- Raising awareness;
- Conflict prevention and resolution;
- Inclusive land registration and administration;
- Strengthening the capacity of government and non-governmental stakeholders;
- Participatory land use planning;
- Engaging in legal, regulatory and policy discussions about land governance.
What can LAND-at-scale offer you?
- Advice on incorporating land governance into your programmes. Or, on how to get started;
- Knowledge management and exploration: Contact us to explore research opportunities together;
- Connection and networking: Follow us on LinkedIn and connect with us;
- Partnership building: Working with you on:
- any running projects you may have in LAS' regions or topics; or
- new projects and partnerships. Stay up to date about opportunities in phase 2 via our LAS communication channels.
Would you like to read our latest reports and share knowledge? Visit the Land Portal.
More information
For more information about the programme, visit the LAS Land Portal or follow our LinkedIn page.
Questions about LAND-at-scale?
Do you have any ideas or questions about the programme? Or would you like to explore collaborating with us on land governance?
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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