1. Chiefdoms
In Zambia’s traditional areas, MEDEEM’s process organizes the land inventory for the Chief while also generating a foundation of land tenure security for his/her constituents. MEDEEM’s Traditional Area Service maps provide a foundational basis for smarter and better-informed land use planning decisions. Once a comprehensive parcel service map is created, the chief is better equipped to manage the land more effectively and to plan for a brighter and more resilient community that will address the future needs of his/her constituency.
MEDEEM’s Impact
In March of 2019, MEDEEM embarked on a land audit in Bundabunda Chiefdom of Chongwe/Rufunsa districts where over 8000 parcels of land were surveyed and ParcelCert® (land certificates) have been issued so far. A land audit is also being carried out in Munokalya Mukuni Chiefdom of Livingstone/ Kazungula districts where over 3000 ParcelCerts® have been issued so far. This important work has resulted in security of tenure, investor confidence, improved planning of the chiefdoms, identification of economic activities (through data collection) and mitigation of boundary disputes.
Medeem is currently working in 11 Chiefdoms where over 14,000+ parcels of land have been documented and over 50,000+ lives have been impacted by increased land tenure security to date.
2. Councils / Informal Settlement Landholders
By providing documentation of their assets, informal settlement landowners can gain greater access to capital and are more likely to receive a loan for construction and improvements, or to start a small business. Having an occupancy license also helps families eliminate ownership ambiguity, act as responsible environmental custodians, and gives them legal standing to help prevent displacement.
MEDEEM’s Impact
Medeem started a new product line in 2017 which involves working with the Ministry of local government through the local authorities (Councils). In this product line, Medeem collects socio-economic data and maps individual parcels of land. This data is then documented and sent to the local authorities for the purposes of Occupancy License production and the upgrading of unplanned settlements. Occupancy licenses are a form of security of tenure that the local authorities issue to people living in unplanned settlements.
This product line has benefited all parties involved; first and most important, it provides accessible and affordable security of tenure to the occupants of unplanned settlements. Secondly, it provides the local authorities with revenue and the capacity to produce occupancy licenses faster because of the training and support that MEDEEM provides.
Since 2017, Medeem has worked with over 13 Councils in Zambia where it has helped document land rights and map parcels for over 22,000 people living in unplanned settlements.
3. Government / Utilities / Infrastructure projects
Government plays an important role in any society and particularly in the area of land rights. Organization and documentation for infrastructure projects including roads, sewers, water supply and utilities is dependent upon accurate and equitable recognition of private land rights and occupancy.
MEDEEM’s Impact
Medeem’s reputation for integrity, accuracy and expertise has grown, leading to requests by agencies of the Government of Zambia to assist in creating foundational GIS maps, interactions with residents and constituents to establish parcel identification and boundaries, and assistance with data organization and retention. In the case of the Lusaka Provincial Planning Authority, Medeem is assisting with their upgrades to the GIS Geodatabase where that planning organization continues to grow the information and knowledge it needs to create community improvements benefitting tens of thousands of Lusaka residents. Medeem is also working with the Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation Company to assist in its understanding of the existing city-wide water and sewer infrastructure through the generation of mapped data reflecting the location and size of existing plots and households. Medeem’s efforts start at field level data gathering and continue into assisting in the creation of geodatabases and maps designed to make that field data both usable and retrievable – positively impacting hundreds of thousands of Zambians who will benefit from improved access to water and sanitation.
4. Partner NGOs and Investors
Documented, legally recognized property ownership is a vital part of community infrastructure that allows for outside investment and partnership for economic growth. Medeem provides an attractive partner for organizations who finance start-up businesses, participate in rural development projects, and support locally-managed social and educational programs designed to lift families out of poverty. MEDEEM’s ParcelCert process provides a definitive record of ownership using methods that are accurate, transparent and reliable.
MEDEEM’s Impact
• Well documented land rights and accurate parcel / community mapping improves land stewardship and encourages community reinvestment.
• MEDEEM’s Land Rights Awareness training helps to educate and protect constituents from predatory lending and/or manipulative sales tactics.