Community based Adaptive Learning in management of Conflicts and

Natural Resources in Bangladesh and Nepal (CALCNR) (W07.68.412)

Coordinated by FHRC Partners: ForestAction, Nepal

iDE NICE Foundation, Bangladesh

Status, good practice, challenge

Current status We already overachieved 11 logframe targets. Within last 2 years: • Most capacity development with CBOs completed. • Recently organised two cross-country exchange visits. • Stakeholder engagement is well on track with CBOs, most of the

targets for adoption are close to being met. • Many CBOs have progressed in conflict resolution, improved

cooperation within CBO and between CBOs, and negotiating with the government on issues regarding policy implementation.

• We have involved government stakeholders in Policy Learning Groups.

• Local level officials now seek CBO knowledge on the ground. • Action research in 70 sites is well on track. • Written half of the targeted thematic briefing papers and two good

practice papers. • Greater emphasis on dissemination when monitoring is completed

and more case studies analysed, including journal papers and presenting findings.

Nepali CBO visitors inspecting springs in Bangladesh

Best practice

Multi-stakeholder forums – policy learning groups (PLG) across hierarchies

Horizontal learning forums – adaptive learning network (ALN) between CBOs

Establishment/strengthening of learning forums/multi stakeholder platforms

Learning forums and multi-stakeholder platforms

Adaptive learning network • 6 monthly network meetings • Regionally organised • Strengthen capacity of CBOs • Engage wider set of CBOs with action research • Sharing lessons and innovations • Representation and issues to take to multi-

stakeholder forums • Can be large (e.g. 1 representative from each of

100 CBOs) so issue based sub-groups for reflective learning are helpful

Multi-stakeholder forum District level • Link representatives of regional CBO network with

relevant government agencies • Government learns of CBO innovations and challenges • Government helps address some conflicts within district

level capacity National level • Link national CBO federation, senior officials, ex-officials

and others • Tend to focus on practical issues raised by CBOs • Needs time to address wider policy issues raised • Progressed further in Nepal as made use of existing

forums already recognised by government Long term future • Depends on perceived use and interest of all

stakeholders

Challenge: Government inflexibility and insensitivity to

needs of disadvantaged NR users

• Despite some progress through multi stakeholder forums.

• A significant part of NR conflicts affecting the poor arise from government practices.

• Practice on access to public land and water (commons) is the opposite from policy (which on paper favours the disadvantaged) specially where administrative procedures are long standing and favour local elites.

• Where government involves communities in NRM it is biased towards men and rich, but empowerment of women is limited.

Challenge: Government inflexibility and insensitivity to

needs of disadvantaged NR users Examples:

– CBOs losing access to public waterbodies and community forests

– Requirement for CBOs to raise 50% of cost of

repairs to water control infrastructure before Bangladesh government will match (when in kind commitments would be pro-poor)

– Nepal government considers water supply either for domestic use or agriculture, but does not recognise multi-use

Gender differences in priority

Thank You