Research at LANDnet aims to generate measurable and testable data that will gradually add to the accumulation of new knowledge on land governance in Uganda. Core to LANDnet’s work is action research - a participatory, democratic process concerned with developing practical knowledge for purposes of increasing empowerment of Uganda’s citizenry in responding to land governance challenges. Action research will seek to bring together action and reflection, theory and practice using participatory approaches. The process and results are aimed at finding practical solutions to identified land issues of pressing concern to people, and more generally the social-economic advancement of individual persons and their communities.

Guiding principles to LANDnet’s delivery

• Abiding respect for people’s knowledge and for their ability to understand and address the issues confronting them and their communities.
• Drawing power from the premises of pragmatism, enhances our belief that we can know and learn by doing.
• Working in collaboration with others enables us to achieve the most.
• Working collaboratively with others leads not only to positive community and organizational changes, but also to personal changes to the researcher.

STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK

“There is a dual commitment in action research to study a system and concurrently to collaborate with members of the system in changing it in what is together regarded as a desirable direction. Accomplishing this twin goal requires the active collaboration of researcher and client, and thus it stresses the importance of co-learning as a primary aspect of the research process” - Thomas Gilmore

Strategic Objective 5:

By 2021, LANDnet will have established better systems, platforms, instruments and tools for learning and knowledge transfer

Expected Results:

1. Increased evidence based advocacy resulting from new knowledge
2. A functional knowledge management and sharing platform established for policy influence and practice change.
3. Strategic partnerships fostered for research and information dissemination

Strategies

1. Establish knowledge platforms at local level that integrate the participation of women (specifically on data collection & management, expert assessments and training & capacity development)
2. Thematic Publications – working paper and progress reports

Critical Activities:

1. Undertake Action research on agreed themes ensuring the participation of women.
2. Facilitate thematic experience sharing through various platforms and media
3. Identify and establish collaboration with technical institutions that will support the program and to leverage on their platforms for information dissemination.

Strategic Objective 6:

By 2021, LANDnet will have carried out pilots and generated new knowledge to deepen understanding of land governance in Uganda, responding to citizens’ needs and aspirations

Expected Results:

1. Pilots on thematic areas implemented successfully.
2. Increased uptake by land sector actors of the approaches, methods and best practices established through the pilots.

Strategies:

1. Use an incremental approach to piloting.
2. Include diverse stakeholders in the piloting process.
3. Continuous learning and improvement of methods and processes.

Critical Activities:

1. Conduct piloting with collaborating partners.
2. Analyse and share pilot experiences.
3. Improve the data collection instruments, protocols and processes based on pilot experiences.