FAQ: Creating and Enhancing Public Participation
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Declaration on the Enhancement of Cooperation by Danube and Black Sea Countries > Dniester River Basin > Dnipro basin > Drinking water technologies > FAQ: Creating and Enhancing Public Participation
| FAQ Compilation | International Waters Management (FAQ) | edit |
| FAQ:_International_Waters_Management FAQ: GEF Results Framework and IW Indicators FAQ: IWRM Implementation and Measuring Progress FAQ: Demonstrating and Measuring Societal Impact FAQ: Creating and Enhancing Public Participation FAQ: Confidence and Partnership Building FAQ: Climate Change and Adaptation in IW Projects FAQ: Project Management and Coordination FAQ: Building Public-Public and Public-Private Partnerships FAQ: Inter-governmental Coordination | ||
| The FAQ's (frequently asked questions) in this compilation are originally inspired by a set of priority topics from a needs survey and subsequent "clinics" discussions by participants of the 4th Biennial GEF International Waters Conference - Cape Town 2007. This constitutes an innovative attempt to developing a broadly shared, joint knowledge base on pertinent issues in "International Waters Management", using the advantages of a Wiki to promote a user-driven collaborative approach. The intent is to let this knowledge base grow, in a participant-driven matter. Contributers are very welcome. Please register with the WaterWiki Administrator to get editing rights. | ||
The aim of this FAQ is to share experiences with approaches, methodologies, techniques and skill-sets to establish and improve public participation in international waters-activities.
What is public participation in this context?
- It is a process in which stakeholder and public concerns, views and values are incorporated into decision-making and implementation of water resource management.
- There are three broad and essentially interlinked levels of stakeholders’ participation: information, communication and collaboration.
- Effective participation is related to: empowerment, ownership, communication and responsibility.
What are the benefits of public participation?
- Empowerment of the local community.
- Local stakeholders have relevant knowledge that should be used by projects.
- Improved decision making: public participation helps to develop consensus among key players on the best way of conserving and utilizing water, consequently improving the performance and the impact of the project in question.
- Enhanced cooperation and sustainability: by creating a common ground for developing solutions, one can also help to avoid conflict in the future.
What are some of the challenges of public participation?
- Choice of participants: issues of exclusion, representation, etc…
- From theory to the practical application: actual structure for participation and implementation on the ground.
- Life span: sustaining the benefits of public participation beyond the life of the project.
- Budgetary constraints.
- Unrealistic expectations of communities.
- Levels of trust among stakeholders, particularly when members of the public feel that government has a hidden agenda.
- NGO credibility can be an issue that impacts public involvement when they are used as representatives of stakeholders for project purposes.
- Lack of willingness to share government-held information with stakeholders.
- Need for effective media relations.
Is there a right methodology for public participation?
- There is no blueprint for public participation: adaptability and contextualization of each strategy are of essence.
- It is not a single event; co-management of a resource necessitates ongoing commitment.
- Avoid top-down participation, imposing structures and capacity building or training initiatives on stakeholders.
- Need to adjust “level” of participation at different times throughout project
What is a "stakeholder"?
- A “stakeholder” is an interested individual, group or institution that may be affected by decisions or actions pertaining to a specific resource, and that may be part of decision making about that resource. Stakeholders can be divided into primary, secondary, and external stakeholders.
How do you ensure that all stakeholders are included/represented in this process?
- You conduct “Stakeholder Analysis” ideally, but not solely, at the beginning of a programme or a project. It involves: i) identifying stakeholders and their interests ii) assessing stakeholders’ influence and importance iii) drawing out assumptions and risks iv) identifying appropriate stakeholder participation methods.
Is there a legal framework for public participation?
- The legal and institutional frameworks for public and stakeholder involvement are more likely to be found at the regional policy or national legislation levels, rather than in international agreements on transboundary water management.
How do you measure the success/ failure of public participation?
- Quantitative indicators do not accurately capture the quality of participation – there is a need for qualitative/descriptive monitoring and evaluation approaches.
How do you ensure the sustainability of public participation after the end of a project?
- Participation needs to be integrated into the project's planning and execution from the beginning and not take place “on the side”.
- It is important to articulate the real benefits (i.e., by demonstration real change) to stakeholders of their participation to overcome apathy and avoid participation fatigue.
How can you overcome budgetary constraints?
Further Readings
Links to Other Organizations and Other Resources
GEF IW Public Participation in IW Management
GEF IW Public Participation Workshops
- 3rd April - 5th April 2008: Public Participation in International Waters Workshop, Hanoi, Vietnam. [1]
- 12th November - 16th November 2007: Public Participation in International Waters Workshop, Maseru, Lesotho. [2]
- 6th December - 9th December 2006: Public Participation in International Waters Workshop, Montevideo, Uruguay. [3]
