Participatory Land Use Planning: Strengthening Community Voice in Land Use

In the face of increasing pressure on land, we are supporting communities to take a leading role in shaping how their land is used, managed, and protected. This month marked a critical step forward in the Participatory Land Use Planning (PLUP) process across Koija, Morupusi, and Lekurruki Community Lands.

• FPIC (Free, Prior and Informed Consent) engagements rolled out across 3 community lands

• Multiple stakeholder forums conducted, including:

  • Community Land Management Committee (CLMC) inception meetings

  • Opinion leaders’ forums

  • Professional stakeholder engagements

• Community facilitators identified and trained to lead grassroots engagement

• Capacity building conducted on FPIC principles, protocols, and participatory planning tools

The Participatory Land Use Planning (PLUP) process is a key milestone and influence how land use decisions are made across Koija, Morupusi, and Lekurruki. Communities are increasingly taking ownership of decision-making through structured and inclusive engagement, moving from passive involvement to active participation. At the same time, Community Land Management Committees, opinion leaders, and facilitators have strengthened their understanding of land governance frameworks, roles, and responsibilities. This has helped establish more coordinated, transparent, and trusted systems for planning, laying a solid foundation for sustainable land management that balances livelihoods, conservation, and conflict reduction.

Key insights from this process highlight that trust-building is essential for meaningful participation, particularly when engagement begins early with local leadership structures such as CLMCs and opinion leaders. The training of community-based facilitators has proven critical in ensuring the process remains locally driven, culturally relevant, and scalable. Additionally, clearly communicating the legal framework and purpose of PLUP helps reduce resistance and misconceptions, while effective participation requires deliberate design, facilitation, and continuous capacity strengthening rather than assuming inclusion will happen naturally.

Ultimately, this process is enabling communities to make more informed and collective decisions about their land, reducing the risks associated with uncoordinated land use and potential conflicts. By aligning land use planning with community priorities, livelihoods, and conservation goals, it strengthens long-term resilience and sustainability. Beyond planning, the initiative is empowering communities to take control of their development pathways and shape a future that reflects their needs, values, and aspirations.