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
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