This body of work builds on TMG's flagship Global Soil Week programme, which aims to provide a platform and a process for raising the profile of soils in development policies and programmes. A key objective of the conference series is to mobilise partnerships to translate global policy frameworks and targets into feasible actions at the local level.

It is broadly acknowledged that the lack of land tenure security is a key barrier, not only to improved food security and sustainable land management practices at the farm level, but also for the restoration of broader ecosystems. While most countries have legal frameworks in place to recognise claims to land, both at individual and community level, enforcement remains weak. Despite their significant contribution to food security, and farm-based livelihoods, women are particularly disadvantaged due to the dominance of patriarchy and other unequal socio-cultural values in determining the ownership of land and other productive resources.

Building on relevant global frameworks, including the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security, and the Sustainable Development Goals, this transdisciplinary research stream explores innovative strategies for structural barriers to achieving equal land rights within soil restoration, and other land governance programmes. 

This thematic strand focuses on understanding the underlying socio-political dynamics and other structural challenges that smallholder farmers face in investing in sustainable land management practices. Based on locally-embedded research with our partners in several African countries, we develop, and pilot, "social innovations" to overcome the structural obstacles encountered. By sharing the insights gained with our broader networks of development partners, as well as at various multilateral processes, we also seek to contribute to a systemic understanding of the enabling conditions for scaling up sustainable land management, at both the local and ecosystem levels.