Guidelines: assessing landscape governance – a participatory approach
This manual (PDF) by Tropenbos International and EcoAgriculture Partners introduces a method of assessing landscape governance in a participatory way. Landscape governance relates to how rules and decision-making address overlapping claims and conflicting interests in the landscape. It also relates to how rules and decision-making encourage synergies among stakeholders and stimulate the sustainable management of the landscape. In order to achieve sustainable landscape development, it is crucial to understand how governance processes are organized, and how this influences the decisions and behavior of actors in the landscape. The assessment methodology discussed in the manual consists of a two-day participatory workshop with stakeholders from the landscape. Applying this methodology allows participants to discuss key features of landscape governance, and learn how to monitor them and identify priorities. The workshop is structured around indicators of four key performance criteria in landscape governance. These criteria are: 1) inclusive decision-making in the landscape; 2) culture of collaboration in the landscape; 3) coordination across landscape sectors, levels and actors; and 4) sustainable landscape thinking and action.