OpenLandContracts.org aims to promote greater transparency of land-based investments, facilitate a better understanding of the contracts that govern them, and provide useful tools for governments, communities, companies, and other stakeholders. Initially launched in October 2015, the repository provides the full text of contracts, as well as plain language summaries of each contract’s key social, environmental, human rights, fiscal, and operational terms. By early 2016, OpenLandContracts.org will host more than 100 contracts from around the world, as well as associated documents and other resources that help users understand and assess such contracts.
As a founding member of the database, The Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment is offering two grants of $10,000 to support and advance innovative uses of the repository and its content, such as: promoting more sustainable investments in agriculture or forestry, supporting different stakeholders in understanding land-based investments and their implications, or providing new insight into such investments. Applications must be received by March 31, 2016. Application forms and details are available on the CCSI website.
OpenLandContracts.org is a joint project of the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment and the World Bank, and is supported by UKaid from the Department for International Development. More information on OpenLandContracts.org is available here.
