Adaptation Requires Participation: Criteria and Factors for Successful Stakeholder Interactions in Local Climate Change Adaptation

Abstract

The implementation of climate change adaptation strategies at the local and regional level presents considerable challenges. These are often tied to governance issues such as insufficient staffing or resources and a lack of knowledge with regard to appropriate formats for bringing together all relevant actors and establishing a firm basis for knowledge building, cooperation, and coordination of multi-stakeholder arrangements. In order to support local and regional adaptation facilitators, this chapter presents a set of criteria and factors for achieving a successful interaction process. Based on a literature analysis, the success factors cover the preparation, implementation, and follow-up phases of stakeholder participation. We provide easily accessible information regarding the crucial questions that facilitators should consider, as well as practical recommendations for each phase. The criteria were developed and applied in a two-pronged approach as part of the EU-Interreg project GoApply. Initially, an ex post appraisal of examples of good practices from six countries in the Alpine region was prepared and compiled into a brochure for use by local facilitators. Secondly, we used the criteria to prepare and conduct two stakeholder interaction workshops in cooperation with the city of Kempten in Germany. These experiences will be reflected in this chapter.