Collaboration and engagement with stakeholders

WP4 aims to enable cross-sectoral and transdisciplinary analysis and evaluation of NBS. For this, it is planned to generate continuous communication and involvement with stakeholders during each stage of the research project. Different workshops and co-creation activities will be carried out to develop a joint analysis to understand variables, indicators and relevant aspects at the local level for the study of the basins. In this way, each stage of the project will have feedback and local knowledge to carry out its objectives, for example, integrating local knowledge for the adoption of new indicators or potential new areas for NBS. This participatory process will use existing communication platforms built by partner members at the local level, which will be able to strengthen interaction networks with other groups of stakeholders from the other basins to carry out twinning and co-learning activities between different groups of stakeholders, including other scientists working in the four catchments.

Tasks:

Task 4.1. Preparation stakeholder support materials and reporting framework for each catchment. The stakeholder experts in the consortium at the UAntwerp will prepare a process and support materials as well as facilitation guide for the tasks described below. These tasks will be taken up jointly by the local partner and the stakeholder experts.

Task 4.2. Identification and mapping of stakeholders - Relevant stakeholders in each demonstration site will be identified, defining their roles, influence and vulnerability on the catchments. Thus, from the beginning those local networks of interested parties selected by the project partners will be established to participatively enrich the understanding of both the problems and the solutions expected from the implementation of NBS.

Task 4.3. Creating common ground - Initial stage to understand and define the problems and solutions required at each study site. Participatory methods such as causal loop diagrams or fuzzy cognitive maps will be applied to map, illustrate, understand and define the components of the river system and their relevance within the stated objectives. Other co-creation tools will be used depending on the contexts in which the interaction takes place. Workshop 1 will be developed to connect the stakeholders (T4.2) and understand the water battery concept, and discuss, analyzing and agreeing on existing problems and possible solutions. Both mapping and contacting in T4.1 and preparation for this workshop will be done in collaboration with specific key stakeholders in the catchments.

Task 4.4. Potential of implementing NBS - The proposed indicators (WP3) and existing conditions (WP1 and WP2) will be discussed to extend the analysis of the incorporation of potential NBS. Both the NBS initially selected and those proposed in WP3 will be jointly analysed and co-evaluated in the different groups. This will contribute to the decision-making process on the actions to be generated in the basins, as well as in the process of analysis and selection of the most appropriate NBS according to the local contexts. Workshop 2 will be focused on the discussion of indicators, project areas, stakeholders’ experiences, local conditions, and other key aspects to consider in the selection of NBS. 

Task 4.5. Co-assessment of impacts and benefits created - The expected impacts obtained from the NBS will be evaluated and modeled under different scenarios. To understand the scope of these generated (and potential) effects in the local context of the basins, interaction with stakeholders is key. Those indicators that allow evaluating the response of the implementation of NBS at the local level will also be identified and highlighted. Workshop 3 will create the interactive space to analyse the benefits obtained from the ES created or reinforced by the NBS. Analysis on the potential in scenarios when e-flows are sufficient or not.

Task 4.6. Knowledge transfer and up-scaling - The process of assessing NBS to address local problems and identifying key indicators will culminate in a stage of knowledge transfer between groups of actors involved in RECHARGE. This communication and mutual learning process not only aims to promote good water management practices to improve the sustainability of the basins and the balance in the water battery, but also to reflect the proper implementation of the NBS along with the key indicators that should be considered. The twinning activities will consist of co-creation workshops and webinars between groups of partners with the idea of sharing experiences within the process of interaction with stakeholders. Additionally, RECHARGE partners will lead activities in their local context to also communicate lessons learned in relation to the incorporation of NBS and the water battery.

Deliverables:

D4.1 Report describing socio-ecological system mapping of NBS in river local river catchment, including role and process of stakeholders' analysis addressing questions such as ‘Who is potentially affected?’, ‘who is/should be involved?’, ‘Reflection on methods for mapping stakeholders’, ‘stakeholders' groups’, ‘how much should they be involved?’ ,’how are components in the system connected from different stakeholders’ view’, ‘which are the priorities, benefits expected’. This feeds in to WP1 and WP3; 

D4.2 Report to end-users such as water managers and local governments on the co-creation process and incorporation of key local aspects for NBS implementation - It will describe how the discussion was, methods used, key areas and aspects, selection/prioritization of relevant aspects, etc. (co-planning) // Defining priorities, mapping strengths and limitations, all in relation with local capacities and resources? (co-design). This feeds into WP2 and WP3; 

D4.3 Assessment of societal co-benefits in the water battery system from a local perspective: Which are the main benefits obtained? From what ES? Is it efficient/effective? Are the problems partially or totally resolved? Evaluation of key indicators elaborated in RECHARGE. This feeds into WP3;

D4.4 Report on the collaborative processes, innovations and future scope. Describing and comparing cases, difficulties, lesson learned, future; 

D4.5 Scientific output: #10 publication on collaborative process and interaction of stakeholder processes, NBS implementation and indicator data governance.