PARTICIPATORY CARTOGRAPHY IN BENIN Involving citizens in demarcating their communities, a case study from Benin Felix Braeckman Egy Sossou World Bank Land & Poverty Conference, 22 March 2017

Who we are Working on local governance since 1912 Voor datum, voettekst, etc. gebruik onder ‘Invoegen’ de gewenste optie. Verderop in de presentatie vind je van elk dia model een voorbeeld dia. Working on local governance since 1912 Committed to strenghtening democratic local governance worldwide

Projet d’appui à la gestion Foncière au niveau Locale (PFL) Laboratory to implement Benin’s new land code Turn paper into reality Financed by the NL Embassy in Cotonou Voor datum, voettekst, etc. gebruik onder ‘Invoegen’ de gewenste optie. Verderop in de presentatie vind je van elk dia model een voorbeeld dia. ASSOCIATION NATIONALE DES COMMUNES DU BENIN ANCB

Participatory Cartography Cadastral records are registered at “village level” in Benin But: Most villages have never been mapped So: Prior to land registration, village outlines must be mapped But: No existing framework to do so Solution:  Simple methodology Communities are central Cheap & Quick

Participatory Cartography is simple Step 1: Participatory mapping Step 2: Mapping landmarks Step 3: Community validation

Step 1: Participatory Mapping Community members discuss village boundaries based on landmarks + members from neighbouring communities Chaired by a land surveyor Group elects village representatives

Step 2: Mapping Landmarks Land surveyors: Collect coordinates of identified land marks Village representatives: Assist the land surveyor in identification + identifies new land marks

Step 3: Community Validation Resolve overlaps Counsel members of both villages Village elders Municipal authorities (moderator) Result: No outstanding conflicts

Participatory Cartography: Results May to July 2016 – only 3 months time Total of 34 villages were demarcated Demarcations based on community perception Cost: USD 400,00 No conflicts between villages remain Land registration can begin

Participatory Cartography: Notes Preparation! Ensure commitment of local authorities Inform citizens on new land code Create trust Ensure commitment of citizens  Do no harm, avoid conflicts Results are not legally binding Domestic demarcation validation is responsibility of Benin’s senate Beyond Benin? Participatory Cartography offers a tool to map domestic boundaries in a way which is: - Simple - Cost-effective - Fast - Community based

Thank you for your attention! Conclusion Participatory Cartography has proven to be an inclusive, inexpensive and feasible way to peacefully draw domestic borders based on community identities Thank you for your attention! felix.braeckman@vng.nl egysossou@gmail.com