Rural Development Institute (RDI)

Organisation name 

 Rural Development Institute (RDI)

Country 

USA

Contact details 

Website http://www.rdiland.org/
Email info@rdiland.org

Testimonial

"For over 40 years, in over 40 countries, the Rural Development Institute (RDI) has helped to secure land rights for more than 400,000,000 people. We are honored to have these efforts recognised and lauded for the prestigious Alcan Prize for Sustainability. Together, we hope to change the face of global poverty."

Financial resources

US$2.6M (2005-06)

Geographical focus

Global

Issue focus

Poverty alleviation

Key achievements

• Forty (40) year track record in helping secure land rights for local people
• Over 40 million people worldwide benefited with leveraged, sustainable, generational poverty alleviation through secure land rights
• Over ten per cent of the world's arable land now in the hands of the poorest

Mission

RDI's mission is to secure land rights for the world's poorest people. RDI recognises that the majority of the world's poorest people live in rural areas where land is their most important asset, and that the lack of secure land rights is a root cause of global poverty. RDI partners with governments, world leaders, multilateral donor agencies, foundations, NGOs and others to design and implement laws, policies and programmes that provide the foundation for poverty alleviation and promote economic stability and growth.

Background

Land represents the greatest asset for the world's rural poor. It is the primary source of nutrition, income, wealth, status, credit access and upward mobility potential. The foundation of land ownership begins a progressive cycle out of poverty, from status and hope to better nutrition, income, health, educational opportunities and security - not just for the family, but for the community, region and nation.

Based in Seattle, RDI has offices in China, India, Indonesia, Rwanda, and a legal aid centre in Russia. Today, the organisation works in China, post-conflict countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Indonesia, Pakistan and India. In the latter, its new 'micro-land ownership' programme is providing landless families with 'micro-plots' as small as one tenth of an acre on which they can build shelter, grow food, sell the abundance for income, raise livestock or start a micro-enterprise. Like the idea that started the 'micro-lending' movement, 'micro-land ownership' has the potential to provide a better future for millions.

Partnerships

For 40 years, RDI professionals have worked with the governments of 40 developing countries, foreign aid agencies, and other partners to design and implement laws, policies, and programmes that provide opportunity, further economic growth, and promote social justice. RDI's visionary work is supported by leading foundations including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the John Templeton Foundation, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, as well as the World Bank, United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation, and individual donors engaged with RDI's mission.

Impact achieved

For over 40 years, in over 40 countries, RDI has helped secure land rights for more than 400,000,000 people. Today, more than 480 million acres - ten per cent of the world's arable land - is in the hands of the formerly poorest. On average, every US$1 donated to RDI has helped secure land rights for six families.

The many benefits to communities with secure land rights include:

• Increased food production
• Economic growth
• Lower infant mortality
• Improved status, security and empowerment for women
• Improved health
• Increased education
• Better stewardship of the land
• Stronger and more stable communities, regions and nations

Additionally, RDI's efforts to secure land rights for women helps combat women's low social status and vulnerability to poverty, help women care for their children, enhance food security, help women prevent and/or cope with HIV/AIDS, may decrease domestic violence and support women's empowerment.