Participatory Governance

Traditional approaches to sustainable resource management often only take into account environmental and economic considerations at the expense of social sustainability. In this way, key stakeholders are excluded from decision making processes, and conflict potentially arises.

Model Forests directly address social aspects of sustainable development by developing governance structures that provide a neutral forum allowing people, especially those who have traditionally been left out of the decision-making process, to have a voice around the table where the issues and decisions that affect them are discussed.

Participative governance is a principal attribute of Model Forests that:

• Promotes voluntary and equitable participation
• Ensures a wide diversity interests and values are represented
• Promotes collaboration among stakeholders using consensus-based processes
• Promotes the development of a shared vision for the management of the landscape
• Fosters transparency and accountability within Model Forest governance structures

Please go to the Activities Database to see the Model Forests working on this theme.