Evaluación participativa para la gobernanza adaptativa de sistemas Socio-Ecológicos

Abstract

Within the field of adaptive governance, evaluation has been identified as a knowledge void requiring attention. Small-scale fisheries in Uruguay were used as case study as they are going through a governance transition; local multistakeholder councils have been formed to look for solutions to fishery-related problems in a collective manner. In one of these councils, we facilitated a participatory evaluation process with involvement of different stakeholder groups (fishers and government agencies). The objective was to investigate the potential of participatory evaluation for enhancing the two main pillars of adaptive co-management: collaboration and learning. Findings show that cooperation and communication among stakeholders were enhanced. Both the relationships between fishers and government agencies, and the connections among agencies, were improved. The evaluation workshops became a learning space and stakeholders improved their skills to participate and interact with different actors. Participatory evaluation is thus an important process for the maturity of adaptive co-management.