International Conference on Global Land Grabbing

International Conference on Global Land Grabbing

Policy Lab’s Research Showcase: Reshaping Europe’s Fields

Our highlight of the conference was the presentation of our groundbreaking research coordinated and conducted by Policy Lab in collaboration with esteemed partners. Dora Matejak, from the University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Social Sciences, took the stage to present findings from the study entitled “Reshaping Europe’s Fields: Assessing the Impact of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) on Land Use in Slovenia in the European Periphery“. The discussion, which fell under the umbrella theme of “Land Grabbing, State and Policy”, shed light on the nuanced impact of the CAP on Slovenia’s agricultural landscape.

Coordinated by Policy Lab co-founder Ajda Pistotnik and in collaboration with Nika Tavčar from Umanotera, Maja Ava Ziberna from Avtonom and Dora Matejak, the research meticulously examines how the CAP influences land dynamics in Slovenia. This collaboration is a testament to the power of multidisciplinary approaches, combining academic rigour with practical insights from NGOs, think tanks and journalism to enrich our understanding of land use and the role of policy in shaping agricultural practices.

“Our research not only addresses the challenges of land concentration and inequality, but also highlights the adaptability and innovation of Slovenian farmers in navigating these complexities,” said Dora Matejak during her presentation.

Unravelling Land Dynamics: Policy Lab’s contribution to the Global Land Grabbing Conference

Last week, the vibrant city of Bogotá, Colombia, served as the venue for the Global Land Grabbing Conference, a landmark event organised by the Land Deals Politics Initiative (LDPI). For more than a decade, LDPI has been at the forefront of addressing the urgent issues surrounding the grabbing of land, water and natural resources, facilitating multidisciplinary exchange among more than 500 participants from around the world.

The selection of Bogotá for the 2024 conference underscores the centrality of land debates in Colombian society and reflects a global urgency to address land concentration and its consequences. This year’s conference was particularly notable for the diverse gathering of academics, social movements and government agencies, all coming together to advance the discourse on sustainable land use and governance.

A platform for action and dialogue

The Land Grab Conference has cemented its status as a key forum for addressing the pressing issues related to land grabbing and land concentration. This year’s event, which highlighted the growing threats to land rights posed by the ‘green’ economy, mobilised over 500 academics, activists and officials to accelerate the search for sustainable solutions.