In rural Sierra Leone, land is more than property—it is the foundation of food security, livelihoods, and community stability. Yet, land disputes remain widespread, often placing already vulnerable families at greater risk. This case story from Mateati Community in Bakeh Loko Chiefdom highlights how a customary practice intended to manage
A look back at the highlights, impactful stories, and policy advancements achieved by the Land for Life initiative in 2025.
In the years following Sierra Leone’s civil war, many women, especially widows and displaced survivors, returned home only to face exclusion from land ownership and inheritance. Discriminatory customary practices and limited legal protection left them vulnerable to dispossession and economic insecurity. This case story highlights how national legal reforms, combined
At CLPA 2025, Land for Life launched a policy brief on bringing land back to the agenda and visited communities in Batu, Ethiopia, where women from different countries connected over shared land governance challenges.
A new video documentary from Sierra Leone showcases how Land Land for Life’s Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue improves trust, empowerment, gender inclusion and change throughout levels and sectors, such as communities, civil society, government entities, media and the private sector. In Sierra Leone, access to land tenure is vital for the
Land for Life participated in a Learning Cycle for private sector engagement and Responsible Agricultural Investment, resulting in new strategies, tools, networks, and a case study publication from Sierra Leone. How can we ensure active engagement with the private sector and improve compliance with the RAI principles in our
“Before the VGGT, land was acquired based on the level of power. Land was a symbol of authority. Land governance was barbaric, guided by bloodshed and violence. But the VGGT came with an idea that land can be governed responsibly.” – Berns Komba Lebbie, National Coordinator Land for Life Sierra
Land for Life Initiative Sierra Leone holds quarterly consortium meeting by Jacob Wilson and Berns K. Lebbie “Two roads diverged in a wood…and we chose the one less traveled by,” said Abu Brima, Executive Director of Network Movement for Justice and Development (NMJD) and National Convener of the Land
