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CIVIL SOCIETY AND GOVERNANCE

Programme rationale

Civil society can play a key role in governance and management of natural resources, but is often excluded due to power imbalances or capacity gaps.  Addressing this issue is fundamental in achieving participatory decision-making that protects natural resources and improves quality of life.

Programme purpose

Improved livelihoods and governance through the effective participation of civil society in the management of natural resources.

Programme goal

To enhance the capacity of civil society stakeholders to participate equitably and effectively in the governance of natural resources, through research and action learning, innovative capacity building programmes and communication and application of lessons learnt.

Programme objectives:

1. To conduct research on how civil society can effectively participate in collaborative natural resource governance institutions, through a better understanding of:
   1. what types of institutional arrangement are most effective in fostering equitable participation of civil society stakeholders;
   2. what type of governance structure is most appropriate for Caribbean civil society organisations participating in conservation and sustainable development initiatives;
   3. how civil society participation can improve the transparency and accountability of decision-making and governance of natural resources.
2. To enhance capacity of civil society and their partners for effective, collaborative governance of natural resources, at regional, national and local levels.
3. To influence policy and practice to catalyse and support development of an enabling institutional environment for civil society participation in natural resource governance.

  Priority programme results 2011-2016:

1. A civil society network in the Caribbean British, Dutch and French overseas countries and territories established and operating to facilitate sharing of information and collaboration
2. Enhanced networking to share information, provide peer support, and among civil society organisations across all islands, through the IUCN Regional Committee and networking facilitated under CANARI projects
3. A cadre of trainers and mentors from at least 15 islands trained and supporting CSOs, including in CANARI projects
4. Targeted training and action learning conducted to enhance capacity of leading CSOs (at regional, national and local levels) in key areas (e.g. strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation, financial management, fundraising and proposal writing, project management, leadership, and communication for advocacy)
5. Advocacy and capacity building conducted targeting policy makers in government to create a more enabling institutional environment to support the work of civil society

 Recent and current projects:

• Consolidating the role of civil society in biodiversity conservation in the Caribbean islands
• Going from strength to strength: Building capacity for equitable, effective and sustained participation of civil society organisations in biodiversity conservation in Caribbean islands.
• Building civil society capacity for conservation in the Caribbean UK Overseas Territories
• Improving governance through civil society involvement in natural resource management in the Caribbean
• Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) in the Caribbean Islands Biodiversity Hotspot

CANARI Programme Advisor:

• Zakiya Uzoma-Wadada