In the Mediterranean regions, the pressure on natural resources, particularly land, is a key element defining the processes of economic and social development. In fact, the land tenure shapes the development of agricultural production chains, natural resources management, large projects and major infrastructure development, as well as the success of rural and urban development programs.

As such, the "responsible governance of land tenure systems" requires the construction of innovative solutions adapted to different contexts, which allow an efficient and socially fair regulation of the various conflicts concerning all actors: from small farmers to large national and foreigner investors, through the local authorities.

In all countries of the Mediterranean region, this question falls in contexts of decentralization reinforcement. These new forms of governance, based on subsidiarity and accountability of local actors through their legitimate representatives, have as principle allowing a better taking into account of the local population aspirations. In fact, they lead to new forms of distribution of power among local actors, given their divergent interests and their contradictions.