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B.
POWER AND MULTI-STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS
Note to community facilitators:
This sub-section introduces a number of key
tools related to power and multi-stakeholder
partnerships. The tools include:
Framework for research and action
Identifying key actors
Understanding relationships between
key actors
Forum theatre
Image theatre
Multi-stakeholder role play
Power is part of every human relationship as a
constant interplay between people’s potential to
influence and control others. It plays a significant role
in the interactions within and between communities
and external actors such as government officials,
researchers, businesses, and non-profit organizations.
When these different groups interact in order to meet
common objectives (for example, conservation of a
particular area or resource), it can also be referred to
as a ‘multi-stakeholder partnership’ (see Box 25). In
this context, the terms ‘actor’ and ‘stakeholder’ are
used interchangeably.
Multi-stakeholder partnerships are integral to the process of documenting, developing, and using a
biocultural community protocol. They involve processes of information sharing, dialogue, negotiation,
learning, decision-making, and collective action. They aim to identify, understand, and strategically
address power dynamics. If power imbalances are not appropriately dealt with, less powerful stakeholders
(often communities) may be excluded, overruled, or abused. In a successful partnership, communities’
interests, priorities, and needs would be respectfully and sufficiently reflected.
A multi-stakeholder partnership seeks a process of interactive learning, empowerment, and
collaborative governance in complex and changing environments. It enables stakeholders with
common longer-term objectives but different interests to be collectively innovative and resilient when
faced with emerging risks, crises, and opportunities.
Box 25: Definition of a multi-stakeholder partnership
Key Resources on Power and Multi-stakeholder Partnerships
Stakeholder Power Analysis (IIED, 2005)
Power Tools: For Policy Influence in Natural Resource Management (IIED database)
Multi-stakeholder Processes Portal (Wageningen Centre for Development Innovation)
Tools for Analysing Power in Multi-stakeholder Processes: A menu (Brouwer et al., 2011, unpublished)
TOOL: Framework for Research and Action
Purpose: This tool can be adapted and used as the basis for exploring key questions to spur community
research, action, and reflection about roles and relationships with different actors or stakeholders. The
questions can be explored through the use of other tools related to power and multi-stakeholder
partnerships.
Resource: Adapted from Tools for Analysing Power in Multi-stakeholder Processes: A Menu (Brouwer
et al., 2011, unpublished)
Table 8: Framework for research and action for multi-stakeholder partnerships
Key Research Questions
Who are the key actors involved?
Understand the different degrees of power amongst the actors, their
bases of power, and the manner in which they use their power.
What are the interests and goals of the different actors?
Actors have common longer-term objectives, but likely different
interests and interdependencies that may be a source of conflict,
Key Action Questions
Are these the ‘right’ actors? Do others
need to join the partnership?
How can common interests be
strengthened? How can different or
conflicting interests be overcome? What