Planning, reporting and monitoring stakeholder participation and communication

This BB aimed to structure the tasks related to stakeholder engagement and communication through the development of:

I) A Strategy for Public Participation based on:

  • Three pillars: identification of stakeholders; engagement activities; and monitoring and evaluation of participation
  • A two-way participatory approach: balance between top-down and bottom-up

II) A Communication and Dissemination Plan to set a unified tone and direction so that all activities, tools and materials work in harmony to create a shared vision to raise awareness of the initiative and its results. It also included monitoring of a number of metrics – through various channels and means – to evaluate the overall impact and success of communication and dissemination actions.

 

Standalone communication and dissemination plans, as well as engagement plans and reports were developed to guide and evaluate each activity implemented. The key messages from these reports were used as web news in order to communicate and report back to the stakeholders.

 

In the Southeast Pacific pilot, the following engagement activities were implemented:

  • Stakeholder meetings, especially for the mapping exercise in the Gulf of Guayaquil
  • Institutional workshops at national and regional levels
  • Training courses for governmental authorities and sectoral stakeholders
  • Contacts from previous project developed in the region
  • Nomination of a governmental representative (National Focal Point) to support the identification of stakeholders, as well as to officially invite them to participate
  • Development of a Stakeholder Database to include all stakeholders who so wished, facilitating the contact and dissemination of information
  • Development of a visual identity
  • A member of the team fully dedicated to communication
  • Stakeholder Database: When dealing with hundreds of stakeholders, better to build a database with limited number of essential fields to maintain communication
  • Stakeholder mapping: Actively map stakeholders (e.g., snowball technique) in order to expand and diversify the actors engaged
  • Engagement activities: Start organizing and publicizing well in advance, as well as send reminders frequently (for both face-to-face and online events)
  • Local stakeholders: Field visits to identify and engage with local stakeholders, who might be less willing to use virtual channels
  • Communications and outreach: Adapt communication to the stakeholders involved; use different channels to reach larger audience; mix digital, audiovisual and print products
B4: Mainstreaming of Ecosystem-based Adaptation in tourism policies

Despite ecosystem health and the services they provide being crucial for the industry, they not always considered sufficiently in tourism development plans and policies. Therefore, ADAPTUR assigned one Technical Adviser to the Ministry of Tourism (SECTUR) and another one to the Ministry of Environment (SEMARNAT) to worked closely together and established cooperation structures which allowed to integrate aspects of biodiversity and climate change into national legislation.

 

One important result was the new Tourism Programme 2020-2024 PROSECTUR, which represents a major milestone in Mexico´s ambitions to fulfil its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) and to integrate ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) into its sector plans. On the subnational level, one Regional Technical Adviser was also assigned to each of its three project destinations to provide permanent facilitation of local cooperation processes.

 

By doing this, several subnational policies and development plans which integrate EbA have been developed (e.g., Municipal Climate Plan Puerto Vallarta, Municipal Climate Plan Bahía de Banderas, Urban Development Plan San Miguel de Allende). Recently, policy proposals made by the Congress of Quintana Roo, and the initiative to mainstream the NDC and PROSECTUR goals in sub-national tourism policies have started.

  • Establishment of cooperation structures between the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Environment.
  • Permanent presence of Technical Advisors in the pilot regions (no fly-in/fly-out).
  • Capacity building of key stakeholders on the national and regional level and from different sectors.
  • Local media and press published many articles about tourism and climate change and influenced public opinion favorably.
  • Industry leaders from public and private sector acted as change agents and promoted EbA as a solution.
  • Biodiversity or adaptation to climate change can easily be integrated into sector plans and polices if there is a communication bridge or cooperation structure between the respective government entities. These cooperation structures may probably need facilitation from a third party like GIZ or other facilitators that act as a bridge.
  • Including the private sector into participatory multisectoral processes for the development of plans and policies remains a challenge due to different work cultures, short term goals and time restrictions. It is possible, but only if the project offers formats that are suitable for the private sector (focused, result oriented, executive style) or limits the interaction to specific decision points (versus participation during the whole process).
  • Already at the planning stage of the project, it is important to consider government cycles and elections on the national and subnational level to avoid that promising policy development processes get cut off. On the other side, newly elected governments may offer good opportunities for new legislative initiatives.
B3: Strengthen cooperation structures between public and private sector

Adaptation to climate change is a complex change and transformation process and needs good cooperation and coordination between the private and public sector who usually have different understandings, priorities, and work cultures. In many cases there is even a history of failed cooperation attempts and an underlying sense of mistrust or prejudice. To overcome those obstacles and to build a strong cooperation structure between its counterparts, ADAPTUR followed the Collective Leadership Model from the Collective Leadership Institute in Potsdam, Germany.

 

The model understands change as a longer process with several phases and includes key elements from creating a shared vision, building cooperation structures, consolidating agreements, and implementing learning mechanisms. The result was integration of smaller groups of well selected change agents of private, public and social sectors (so called “containers”) who show strong support for the envisioned change, act as first movers and at a later point in time motivate other actors in the sector to join the initiative or movement.

  • Deep understanding of issues, positions and relationships between key stakeholders and their history and past experiences with similar processes.
  • Ability to act as a neutral agent and facilitator who can build bridges between different stakeholder groups and institutions.
  • Create a vision of the future that is shared and supported by different project stakeholders (e.g., business leaders, government representatives, civil society leaders, academic experts).
  • Capability to gain the trust of important sector leaders and to convince them to promote the project.
  • Creating a trustful relationship with the private sector is a long process that requires sensitivity and patience. Working with business leaders as change agents may be an excellent strategy to gain trust and initiate a change process "from within.". For example, ADAPTUR´s Regional Advisor helped to create relationships by facilitation meetings between the tourism industry, environmental organization and civil society.
  • Scientific data is very important to build your case for adaptation. But as human beings we are also inspired, moved and motivated by emotions. In ADAPTUR we worked a lot with photos, videos, and stories to create an emotional connection with the project.
  • Success is maybe the strongest motivator. It is important to have some quick wins at an early stage of the cooperation and to celebrate even smaller achievements with your project partners and target group.
  • Change is a journey. Keep the actors updated and interested (newsletters, communication of best practices, intersectoral dialogues, workshops) and celebrate your achievements.
B2: Communication and capacity building strategy for climate action

The first step towards the development of a target group specific communication and capacity building strategy was a KAP analysis (knowledge, attitude, practices), which established a baseline, in terms of understanding the private sector´s knowledge about climate change, as well as its attitude towards the topic and the practices already in place. The analysis also included a capacity needs assessment, which served as input for ADAPTUR´s capacity building and training program. The findings were also used to train counterparts, consultants, and project members in better understanding the private sector and to improve their communication skills by using the right words, concepts and messages.

 

The training program comprised several topics about climate change vulnerability, climate-proof investment, cost-benefit analysis, national/subnational policies related to climate change, EbA solutions, public-private cooperation, financial mechanism, etc.

 

At the same time, a press campaign was launched in cooperation with local media and journalists. The ADAPTUR website was introduced with regular newsletters, best-practices, case studies and messages from industry leaders. It also contained a resources section with studies, tools and information material.

  • A good understanding of the industry context and the private sector´s challenges, priorities, needs and restrictions.
  • Create attention by linking climate change with business interests.
  • Recognition of private sector work culture and values (fast decision making, time is money, etc.). Offer cooperation and training formats that are suitable for the private sector.
  • Cooperation with industry leaders, known journalists and lead consultants as change agents to position the relevance of adaptation for the sector.
  • Plan some time for understanding your target group and awareness raising before you initiate the first direct contact. Preparing the ground and being well prepared may save you time later.
  • Work together with a professional agency to develop and implement your communication strategy.
  • Identify possible change agents in the private sector that could motivate other businessmen/women to engage in the project.
  • Encourage peer-to-peer dialogue and exchange between private sector actors to build a relationship, increase trust and learn from each other.
  • Offer planning and training formats that are suitable for the private sector context and consider local needs and realities (e.g. business executives normally do not have time to participate in day-long participatory workshops).
  • Recognize realities, limitations, concerns and existing risks for business leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors especially during pandemics like COVID-19 or other crises.
B1: Setting a price tag on climate change for the involvement of private sector in Ecosystem-based Adaptation

Traditionally, climate change has been conveyed as an environmental and scientific concept. But since its impact on industries and productive sectors has become more and more apparent, there is an urgent need to better understand the economic dimension of climate change and its financial risk for the decision-making of the private sector.

 

Translating environmental risks into business risks also helps to draw the private sector's attention. Therefore, the project ADAPTUR performed an economic risk assessment in three of its project destinations to calculate the future costs of climate change for the tourism industry. Additionally, a handbook on climate-proof investment was published, which was developed with inputs and participation of the private sector, especially during the design of methodology. One of the conclusions was that adaptation would be a good investment because by making businesses more resilient to climate change, it is possible to reduce their future costs.

  • Translating environmental terms into business language: e.g., vulnerability = business risk; ecosystem = nature capital, etc., helps the private sector to get your message.
  • Link climate change impacts to business risks and opportunities: since companies understand their business best, this should be very participatory.
  • Understand how the private sector works: consider existing business processes as part of your solution.
  • Create trust: involve private sector representatives from the beginning, be transparent in decision-making, and have clear expectations.
  • Understand business concepts (return on investment, business case, economic risk, etc.) and the way of thinking (time is money, resources are limited, etc.) when engaging with the private sector. It helps to include a member with private sector background in your team.
  • Since industries have established business processes, it is essential to develop compatible solutions. In Mexico, new investments in tourism infrastructure follow a strict process. Therefore, ADAPTUR developed improvements easy to integrate into the existing process.
  • The private sector has its own tools and methodologies (scenario modeling, risk assessment, cost analysis, etc.). In many cases it is better to build upon those tools instead of introducing a new methodology unknown to the industry.
  • The private sector may consider specific data or information as sensitive, including financial data and specific project results because they may affect a company's reputation in its market. It is therefore important to have a mutual understanding of the information that is confidential or sensitive. Confidentiality agreements may help to formalize this understanding.
Co-operative farming for sustainable livelihood

An institutional support is required for the beneficiaries to promote the products they make through this solution, in local, regional and national markets. Since a single farmer cannot meet the quantity demand of the market and the distributors look for bulk quantity, a functioning co-operative has to be formed at the local level. This cooperation serves the purpose of collecting the products, negotiating the price with the distributor, supervising the manufacturing and distributing the profits. 

There is a high demand for brooms and associated products in the local, national and international market and distributors always buy in bulk. By applying cooperative farming methods, it will be easier for a single farmer to supply their product and get a reasonable rate for it. Instead of approaching single farmers, distributers negotiate prices with the cooperative committee, which also guarantees more stable and profitable prices for their members.

  • The leadership of the cooperative committee should be entrusted to persons in the community who are knowledgeable about the market.
  • The co-operative should be made bipartisan and fair to everyone. 

 

Alliances

Various alliances had to be build to ensure the success of the programme. Collaboration was necessarry between the following stakeholders: 

  • Local and provincial government and administrative authorities
  • Social groups like youth clubs, women groups, agriculture committees
  • Forest and land protection committes 
  • Local, regional and national private sector businesses 
  • Various experts, researchers and scholars in this sector

Since this solution involves multi-level activities from planning, implementation, conservation, monitoring, marketing and promoting, it becomes essential to bring all the stakeholders together and interlink them through common goals and their ascribed responsibilities by the state and the society. 

- Stakeholders don't always have the same interests and goals

- Conflict between the stakeholders in the alliances are common because of their interests 

- The thoroughness of legal aspects while dealing with the local bureaucracy is needed

- The awareness of greater good has to be evoked to all the stake holders, time and again

 

Understanding the impact of ocean activities on the national economy

The main objective of the Portuguese Ocean Satellite Account (OSA) is to provide an economic information system for the sea. The OSA was considered the most appropriate tool to estimate the size and importance of the ocean economy to the Portuguese economy and to obtain information on the structure of production activities related to the ocean.

 

The OSA privileged the simultaneous treatment of supply and demand. Information was obtained, not only for the production account (output at basic prices, intermediate consumption, Gross Value Added - GVA), but also for relevant economic variables such as household and public administrations consumption, imports and exports. Thus, it was possible to estimate the contribution of the "Ocean" to GVA and national employment. Additionally, an estimate was made for paid and unpaid employment, not only due to its relevance, but also to allow assessing the results plausibility.

 

By applying the Integrated Input-output Symmetric Matrix System to the main results, it was possible to determine, in addition to the direct effects, the indirect effect of the Ocean Economy activities on the national economy.

 

The compilation of OSA at NUTS I level allowed having information for Azores and Madeira (islands), illustrating regional differences, namely different output patterns.

  • Mature statistical systems with quality and detailed data.
  • Very good articulation among entities.
  • New technical and coherence challenges in the second exercise, regarding NUTS I desegregation.
  • Detailing information at regional level allows improving data quality and robustness of concepts, namely concerning coastal tourism. Some concepts defined for national level are not adequate for regional level.
Value chain logic

The scope of the Ocean Economy, considered in the Portuguese Ocean Satelite Account (OSA), aggregates activities in two main areas: "established activities" and "emerging activities” which, in turn, are divided into groups. It considers nine groups, eight of which correspond to established activities (groups 1 to 8). The last group (group 9) includes new uses and resources of the ocean, which congregates emerging activities (see figure). The adopted criterion for the classification of economic activities as established or emerging obeyed the international logic of maturity level of the markets, namely what is followed in the EU, in the study “Blue Growth” for the purpose of international comparisons.

 

Overall, we adopted a value chain logic considering, inter alia, the level of industry disaggregation permitted by the National Statistical System. Given this restriction, the methodological option was to consider Maritime and Marine Equipment Services as independent groups, including cross-economic activities in other groups.

  • Mature statistical systems with quality and detailed data
  • Broad discussion with several stakeholders on the concepts, definitions, and aggregations of the account
  • Very good articulation among entities
  • Time consuming activity in the first exercise due to its pioneering character (pilot exercise)
  • Difficulty in obtaining information on emerging activities
  • Results compensate the effort: this organization of data allowed illustrating heterogeneity of the different groups (dynamic, productivity, resilience, etc.)
Benefits generated to communities and livelihood improved

Community forestry in Nepal has brought a number of benefits including an increase in income. It has helped to fight against illegal logging by putting clear rules in place on timber access and a strong system of forest monitoring. Community livelihoods have also improved with easier access to firewood and fodder and better health care and energy access, for example through money from ecotourism and subsidies for renewable energy.

Community forestry shows traits of political, financial, and ecological sustainability, including emergence of a strong legal and regulatory framework, and robust civil society institutions and networks.

A continuing challenge is to ensure equitable distribution of benefits to women and marginalized groups.  

 

The immediate livelihood benefits derived by rural households bolster strong collective action wherein local communities actively and sustainably manage forest resources. Community forests also became the source of diversified investment capital and raw material for new market-oriented livelihoods.