Participatory stakeholder workshops for the
selection of SLM practices at local level
In order to
facilitate informed SLM decision-making at the local level, WOCAT has developed
guidelines for the realization of participatory stakeholder workshops, which
are based on the DESIRE project stakeholder workshops methodology which was
also applied in the Knowledge
Management for Integrated Watershed Management and Disaster Risk Reduction
project in Tajikistan and the RECARE project.
The objectives of
the two-day workshop are to:
- Jointly assess and select relevant SLM
technologies for implementation on demonstration plots, farmer-to-farmer
exchange, and training; and
- Strengthen trust, dialogue and
collaboration among concerned stakeholders.
The
methodology is based on participatory principles. The workshop moderators guide
the group, usually consisting of 1-3 extension workers, 1-2 researchers, 6-10
farmer representatives and local authorities, through a series of consecutive
steps that assist the stakeholders to voice and exchange their ideas on which
SLM technologies are most promising to be implemented. At the end of day 2
participants assess promising SLM technologies based on selected economic,
social and environmental criteria in a scoring exercise producing an overview
matrix which is used for the negotiation and final selection of SLM technologies.
The
workshop is comprised of the following seven exercises with the option to add
specific exercises needed in a certain problem context (e.g. on zoning, integrated
farming systems). The WOCAT Technologies and Approaches documentation serves as
the evidence to be used during the workshop.
DAY 1: Understanding the local context
Ex. 1: Introduction
to the workshop
Ex. 2: Observed
changes in land use and climate
Ex. 3: Land size and
livelihoods
Ex. 4: Land
management problems and solutions
DAY 2: Assessing and selecting relevant
SLM technologies
Ex. 5: Selection of
technologies to be assessed
Ex. 6: Assessment of
promising technologies
Ex. 7: Evaluation and
closure of the workshop
The methodology
has been used, amongst others, in the IFAD-funded project Scaling-up SLM with smallholder
farmers where 482 stakeholders participated in stakeholder
workshops led by national project partners in collaboration with extension
services and local partners in Uganda, Cambodia and Lao PDR.
If you are
interested to learn more about the stakeholder workshop methodology and receive the guidelines,
please contact the WOCAT Secretariat.
