In a policy brief for the European Parliament, researchers at Ecologic Institute examine how access to land affects development and poverty eradication in developing countries. The authors Christiane Gerstter, Timo Kaphengst, Doris Knoblauch and Krista Timeus discuss the assumption that land ownership increases productivity and provide an overview of land reforms and large-scale land acquisitions in developing countries. Finally, the brief provides a series of recommendations for European policy-makers. The brief is available for download.

The briefing An Assessment of the Effects of Land Ownership and Land Grab on Development – with a Particular Focus on Small Holdings and Rural Areas [pdf, 811 KB, English, French], conducted by Ecologic Institute, examines how access to land affects development and poverty eradication in developing countries. The authors discuss the assumption that land ownership increases productivity and provide an overview of land reforms and large-scale land acquisitions in developing countries.

The brief was written as part of the framework contract on development policy. Christiane Gerstetter presented its results to the European Parliament's development committee on 14 June 2011. It is available for download.