Forested landscapes are shaped by people; their relationships, beliefs and ambitions as well as their decisions and rules for the management of the landscape. This makes it important to understand such processes, and their influence on the sustainable future of the landscapes across the world.
Landscape governance relates to how various interests in the landscape are balanced in decision making and how the rules stimulate the sustainable management of the landscape resources. To increase the understanding of governance in the landscapes where Tropenbos International works, a methodology was developed together with EcoAgriculture partners. In this Landscape Governance Assessment, stakeholders come together in a two-day workshop for an open conversation about the governance of their landscape, now and in the future. In 2017 and 2018 assessments took place in 17 landscapes in 10 countries in Asia, Africa and South America, as part of the Green Livelihoods Alliance (GLA).
The workshops created an opportunity for stakeholders to interact with each other and share their views, thereby increasing their understanding of governance and gaining insights in the different perspectives that exist in the landscape. Also, it helped stakeholders in the identification of steps to improve the governance of their landscape.
“The importance of landscape actors to come together and work together in order to solve complex issues that are being faced was stressed in multiple assessments. The LGA can be a first step towards this.” (Philippines).
For TBI partner organisations, the workshops were an opportunity to discuss and improve their work under the GLA with landscape stakeholders. Based on these new insights they adapted their plans, for example by broadening the stakeholder groups they worked with, strengthening the work on capacity development and inclusion of marginalised groups, and identifying additional collaborative activities with other stakeholders.
“The two days discussions had become a forum to share experiences about the problems and challenges and also facts and opinions on the current status of landscape governance and way forwards to improve the situation. […] As a result of the workshop an informal multi-stakeholder dialogue has gotten new life.” (Indonesia)
The findings and outcomes of the workshops are bundled in a synthesis report.
