Stakeholder Engagement for Inclusive Water Governance: “Practicing What We Preach” with the OECD Water Governance Initiative

Abstract

Abstract:A cursory glance at the literature on water governance reveals that stakeholder engagement has long been considered an integral part of sound governance processes. However, a closer look at the literature reveals that, beyond this general assertion, there is a lack of evidence-based assessment on how engagement processes contribute to water governance objectives. This article addresses this research gap by presenting key findings and policy guidance from a study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) on "Stakeholder Engagement for Inclusive Water Governance". This study employed comprehensive methods, including a survey administered to 215 stakeholder groups worldwide and separately, 69 case studies of specific stakeholder engagement initiatives on water management. This article also shares the experiences and lessons that have emerged from engaging stakeholders in the OECD Water Governance Initiative-an international multi-stakeholder policy forum created in 2013 to share policy and practical experiences on water governance at different levels. We hope this research will be used to stimulate and enrich discussions about the necessary conditions for results-oriented stakeholder engagement, and to guide decision makers accordingly.

The Importance of Institutional Design for Distributed Local-Level Governance of Groundwater: The Case of California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act

“…Evidence also shows that environmental governance systems are more resilient when they include structures that are adaptive, multi-level, and focused on learning [12,50]. Further, as natural resources use often involves political decisions, governance systems that include participation, collaboration, and deliberation tend to be more effective in achieving support for, and compliance with, management strategies [51,52]. Lastly, the effectiveness of governance systems is strengthened by legitimacy, transparency, accountability, inclusiveness, fairness, integration, and capability [53], increase the likelihood that the system will be trusted and its leaders respected.…”

“…The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) engaged water practitioners from around the world in the development of a set of twelve principles for water governance [52,54]. These principles, which are organized around the three elements of efficiency, effectiveness, trust and engagement, aim to help identify "whether water governance systems are performing optimally and help to adjust them where necessary" [54].…”

“…Participation is direct, effectual stakeholder involvement in the decision-making process [52,72]. It can occur through comment letters, public meetings, or other mechanisms.…”

“…More formally, a groundwater agency can create advisory committees and solicit stakeholder participation on committees and boards. Stakeholders must have the capacity to participate [77], so GSAs can also support disadvantaged stakeholders by providing financial support, assistance with transportation, technical tutorials, and other resources that will facilitate their participation [52,78].…”

“…Accountability helps to ensure that groundwater agencies pursue the correct goals and make decisions that are consistent with governing laws, common sense, and basic principles of fairness [52,81]. Accountability can help identify if decisions or decision-making processes are succeeding or are in need of reform.…”