Governing tenure rights to commons
This technical guide (PDF) by the FAO is about the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security. Millions of people worldwide depend on natural resources such as land, fisheries and forests that are used collectively as commons. Commons are essential to cultural identity and well-being. They are a source of food and income, an important safety net, and a matter of human rights – for indigenous peoples and local communities including farmers, fisherfolk, pastoralists, landless people and the most marginalized and vulnerable. The guide aims to support states, community-based organizations and civil society organizations, the private sector and other relevant actors to take proactive measures to implement the standards and recommendations of the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests (Tenure Guidelines) for legally recognizing and protecting tenure rights to commons and community-based governance structures. The guide:
- translate principles of the Guidelines into practical mechanisms, processes and actions;
- give examples of good practice – what has worked, where, why and how;
- provide useful tools for activities such as the design of policy and reform processes, for the design of investment projects and for guiding interventions