Seminar on Land Reform

Tartu, Kreutzwaldi 1

27-28 October, 2016

Organised by the Estonian Center of Eastern Partnership in co-operation with the European Commission, Estonian University of Life Sciences and Estonian Ministry of Rural Affair

Short background

Well-executed land reforms increase productivity and land value, lead to greater security of land ownership and promote social and economic development. Agricultural development plays a key part in the reform process and democratisation of the EaP countries, as well as in their political association and economic integration with EU.

In order to carry out the land reforms effectively, knowledge of the principles governing the processes and existence of registers is of paramount importance. One of the most important prerequisites for the implementation is that the relevant governmental structures and the officials carrying it out are in place and well-functioning. Therefore, the linkage with general public administration reform is most appropriate.

Aim of the seminar

The aim of the seminar is to bring together policy planners and top level experts from Eastern Partnership Countries as well as Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Germany in order to share experiences, discuss current state of play and to build the foundation for improved land governance.

The seminar is a supplement to a previous PAR seminar on Re-allotment and Land Fragmentation, which took place in November 2014 in Brussels, Belgium.

Focus of the seminar

The seminar will focus on land reform and best practices of the Eastern Partnership countries and European Union. The seminar will provide an opportunity for the policy planners and experts to reflect on their experience on carrying out the land reform as well as to gather new ideas for the future.

The seminar will have three objectives:

• Current situation of land reform

The aim is to get a factual overview of the land reform situation and challenges in each country.

• Best practices

The aim is to share best practices in carrying out the land reform in EaP countries as well as in the EU.

• Improved land governance

The aim is to promote better land governance in the region

The seminar is highly participative, most of the participants will deliver presentations and the whole group is involved in group discussions.

 

Seminar programme

Seminar videos

List of participants

Thursday, 27 October 2016 

9.00	Opening Welcome by Mr Jaan Reinhold, Director of Estonian Center of Eastern Partnership Welcome by the co-organizers:         Mr Mait Klaassen, Rector of Estonian University of Life Sciences Mrs Alina Kirillova, DG Agriculture and Rural Development, EC Mr Mati Tõnismäe, Head of Land Improvement and Land Use Bureau, Estonian Ministry of Rural Affairs
09.30	Presentations on the implementation of land reform: 1. Land reform implementation in CEE countries – Mr Maxim Gorgan, FAO in Europe and Central Asia 2. The development of agricultural structure in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania after the political change 1989 – Mr Volker Bruns, Landgesellschaft Mecklenburg-Vorpommern mbH
10.45	Coffee break
11.00	Presentations on the implementation of land reform continue: 1. Land reform implementation in Estonia – Mrs Evelin Jürgenson, Estonian University of Life Sciences 2. Land reform implementation in Latvia – Mrs Velta Parsova, Latvian University of Agriculture 3. Land reform implementation in Lithuania – Mr Audrius Aleknavičius, ASU Water and Land Management Faculty
13.00	Lunch
14.00	Country presentations about the state of play in land reform, challenges and best practices: 1. Moldova  2. Georgia 1, Georgia 2
15.15	Coffee break
15.30	Country presentations about the state of play in land reform, challenges and best practices: 3. Ukraine 4. Azerbaijan1, Azerbaijan 2  5. Belarus

 

Friday, 28 October 2016

9.00	Presentations on registers and databases: 1. Registers and databases in Estonia – Mrs Aly Valvas, Land Board of Estonia 2. Registers and databases in Latvia – Mrs Maija Berzina, Latvian University of Agriculture 3. Land administration and real property cadastral system in Lithuania – Mrs Virginija Gurskiene, ASU Water and Land Management Faculty
10.30	Coffee break
11.00	Presentation on challenges of and after land reform 1. Land reform framework and foreign experience - Mr Siim Maasikamäe Estonian University of Life Sciences 2. Challenges after land reform - Mrs Evelin Jürgenson, Estonian University of Life Sciences
11.40	Conclusion of the seminar by Mrs Tiina Ilsen, Deputy Head of ECEAP and Mrs Evelin Jürgenson, Estonian University of Life Sciences
12.00	Lunch
13.00	Bus transfer to Alatskivi Castle
14.00	Study visit to Alatskivi Castle 1. Presentation by Mr Andu Tõrva, Head of Alatskivi Parish 2. Guided tour at the castle 3. Bus tour in Alatskivi Parish - Demonstration of land utilization