How Can We Mitigate Power Imbalances in Collaborative Environmental Governance? Examining the Role of the Village Facilitation Team Approach Observed in West Kalimantan, Indonesia

Abstract

Researchers have focused on collaborative governance as an effective measure to realise sustainable natural resource management through the participation of various stakeholders. However, the literature has indicated that issues such as power imbalances tend to undermine the effectiveness of collaborative governance. Powerful actors represented by the government tend to control collaborative processes and produce benefits for dominant groups, while less empowered local communities are often deprived of opportunities for livelihood improvement. Although numerous researchers have analysed the key factors that influence the processes and outcomes of collaborative governance, few have identified a concrete measure to reduce the risk of failure, particularly when managing power imbalances in developing countries. This study explored a methodology to address the power imbalances in collaborative governance based on a case study of a participatory peatland fire prevention project implemented in West Kalimantan Province, Indonesia. Semi-structured interviews and questionnaire surveys conducted with project participants suggested that measures such as establishing a joint team of government officers and villagers, providing a common facilitation training programme, training villagers as facilitators, promoting equal knowledge sharing, and allowing villagers to make their own decisions mitigated the power imbalances between the two groups.

Managing Intractable Natural Resource Conflicts: Exploring Possibilities and Conditions for Reframing in a Mine Establishment Conflict in Northern Sweden

“…Finally, in line with previous research highlighting how power imbalances can discourage actors from engaging in communication in intractable conflicts (e.g., Arai et al 2021 ; Baker and Chapin III 2018 ; Raitio 2013 ), the study found that the mine permitting system inhibited reframing by failing to provide sufficient incentives for the mine opponents to engage with their disputants. Specifically, because the mine opponents felt that they had few or no opportunities to advance their positions in the formal system, many considered informal actions and intragroup mobilization as more meaningful than engaging with their disputants in the permit process (e.g., through participating in corporate consultation).…”

“…For example, when frame inconsistences occur, engagement with alternative frames is often necessary, making reciprocal communication more probable (Laws and Rein 2003 ). Research has also found that meaningful intergroup communication sometimes hinges on contextual changes that level power imbalances and incentivize disputants to engage with each other (Arai et al 2021 ). These can include external shocks, such as environmental disasters, that awaken the disputants to the risks and uncertainties of non-collaboration (Montambeault et al 2020 ).…”

“…Recent research highlights a range of contextual factors that facilitate intergroup communication in conflict. These include e.g., community relations that make actors feel comfortable talking and listening to each other (Baker and Chapin III 2018 ; Johansson et al 2022 ); external events/shocks, such as environmental disasters, that awaken the disputants to the risks of intractability (Montambeault et al 2020 ); and structures of institutions or rules that ensure that all disputants are provided with capabilities (e.g., rights and resources) for equitable participation and influence in communicative processes and decision making (Arai et al 2021 ; Baker and Chapin III 2018 ; Raitio 2013 ). However, it is still unclear how such contextual factors influence the prospects for reframing, and research is yet to specify what types of reframing can be realistically enabled under different conditions of conflict (Kuyper 2018 ; Montambeault et al 2020 ).…”

Stakeholder collaboration for solid waste management in a small tourism island

“…The literature emphasizes power as a determinant of stakeholder collaboration for sustainability. However, power is largely discussed from the perspective of its imbalance [ 87 ] or even abuse [ 88 ]. This current study adds to the body of knowledge by indicating a new notion of power i.e., ‘powerful as individuals but powerless when together’ (TB5).…”

Re-Envisioning Learning through a Trauma-Informed Lens: Empowering Students in their Personal and Academic Growth

“…Asymmetries in expertise are even required for learning to take place (Rogoff, 1990;Vygotsky, 1978). However, collaboration can help build trust, even when there is a risk of power imbalance (Arai et al, 2021;Sheriff et al, 2019). We saw this reflected in students' experiences of valuable conversations both with the instructor of the course, and with their peers, where despite the asymmetry in expertise, students felt like equal participants in their learning.…”