Learning together: navigating the interconnected waters of storytelling, nitrogen pollution, and codesign in coastal communities across three watersheds

By definition the HELP approach involves the active participation of individuals from a wide range of disciplines and backgrounds, including representatives of industry, academics, natural resource managers, and local officials and community leaders. While there is considerable enthusiasm and support for the integrated HELP approach, a central problem for all HELP basins is how to effectively engage individuals and groups with few, if any financial resources. In the Luquillo HELP project we have managed this issue by focusing our efforts on holding small, public meetings and workshops with technocrats and managers who are engaged in local water resource management. To date several forums have been organised, including: technical meetings with the directors of natural resource agencies; presentations and panel discussions at the meetings of local professional societies, including the societies of Civil Engineers and Architects, the Commonwealth Association of Tourism, the Association of Builders and Developers, and the Puerto Rican Association of Lawyers. During these forums HELP specialists gave presentations and led discussions on how integrated watershed management can help resolve local problems. Because the audience are directly involved with these issues, they are quite responsive to these discussions and have often provided unique solutions to common problems. Technical workshops are co-sponsored by local municipalities – these day-long workshops are hosted by a municipality and include managers from other municipalities, the local water authority, and local community leaders. Additional activities include: technical advice on water infrastructure projects is given; there are educational exchanges between local and international students, scientists, natural resource managers, and community leaders; and synthesis publications relevant to integrated water resource management are produced. Other activities have included compiling oral environmental histories and organising watershed restoration activities. This paper describes these activities and discusses the benefits and costs of each approach.Keywords: integrated water resource management, tropical mountains, Puerto Rico

The research was qualitative approaches. The research design for qualitative research was In-Dept Interview by using Ethnographic research technique with 20 Thai stakeholders composing of local wisdom peoples, community leaders and farmers who live at Chao Praya River in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, the Middle region of Thailand. The content from qualitative research was analyzed to construct the questionnaire for quantitative research. Factor analysis was used for determination the component factors. The objectives of this research were 1) to study methods and expertises of appropriate technology for golden rice farm from stakeholders composing of local wisdom peoples, community leaders and farmers, and 2) to analyze content of methods and expertises of appropriate technology for golden rice farm from stakeholders composing of local wisdom peoples, community leaders and farmers. The Interview results were used to construct items for factor analysis to identify the component of methods and expertises of appropriate technology for golden rice farm from stakeholders composing of local wisdom peoples, community leaders and farmers. There were 6 components were constructed from 50 items. The 6 components were Way of life in the past of farmers, Culture and belief of rice farming, Local wisdom of rice cultivation, Appropriate technology using in rice farming, Modern technology for living, and Modern technology for rice farming. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n1p587

Purpose — This study aims to analyse the impact of financial stability on the well-being of Muslim families by employing the Sakinah Finance model as an analytical framework. It also seeks to compare families residing in coastal and urban areas to understand how different environmental contexts affect household financial management in Indonesia. Design/Methodology/Approach — The research adopts a quantitative approach, utilising Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to examine the relationships between variables related to financial stability and family well-being. Data are collected from Muslim households in both coastal and urban communities in Indonesia, allowing for comparative analysis. Findings — The study found that financial behaviour based on the Sakinah Finance model significantly influences financial well-being. Individuals who apply Islamic values in managing their finances tend to experience greater well-being, driven by a sense of gratitude. Financial literacy and experience showed no significant effect, yet effective Sharīʿah-based financial management remains essential. Urban and coastal communities in Indonesia exhibit similar financial patterns, prioritising basic needs and income management in line with Islamic principles. Originality/Value — This study contributes to the growing body of literature on Islamic family finance by integrating the Sakinah Finance model in a quantitative framework and offering a comparative analysis between coastal and urban communities. It provides a unique perspective on how financial well-being is connected to Islamic values and socio-environmental factors. Research Limitations/Implications — The study is limited by its focus on specific geographic areas, which may affect the generalisability of the findings to other regions or countries. The use of cross-sectional data also limits the ability to observe changes over time or infer causality. Additionally, cultural, institutional, and religious diversity among Muslim communities may introduce contextual biases. Future studies should consider longitudinal data and a broader regional scope to validate and expand upon these findings. Practical Implications — The findings are expected to offer practical insights for policymakers, community leaders, and financial educators in designing interventions and financial literacy programmes that align with the needs and values of Muslim families, particularly in relation to their living environments.

This chapter is designed to assist community leaders with what to expect when operating in the disaster recovery space. Local place-based community organizations, such as not-for-profits and non-governmental organizations, are pivotal to building the resilience of their communities. Although not established specifically for disaster response, the day-to-day activities of these community organizations have provided them with an unmatched understanding of their community and its needs. Following a disaster, they do not require lead-in time to familiarize themselves with the community due to already delivering essential services and the local presence of their existing operations. Frequently, they already managed groups of trained volunteers. As such, these leaders have high levels of expectations placed upon them to assist in disaster recovery. Despite these expectations, their organizations typically remain underfunded and there is little recognition by government authorities of the actual and potential contributions they are able to make. In 2013, fires swept through the Blue Mountains NSW, destroying over 200 homes and damaging many others. Local community leaders found themselves operating in the recovery space without being linked into the official emergency management processes. When the Black Summer bushfires swept through Australia’s eastern states in 2019/20, these community leaders knew what to expect, had developed various approaches to previously identified issues, and could capitalize on networks made with emergency services. Our research has informed the development of two generic guides to assist community leaders to prepare for working in the disaster recovery space. Informed by lessons learned and presented in an easy-to-adapt format, these guides are designed for uptake by local community leaders in any region.KeywordsLocal community organizationsCommunity leadersPreparationDisaster fatigueResilienceGuideEmergency

The primary aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of police intra-departmental collaboration in combating human trafficking in Nairobi County, Kenya. Human trafficking remains a critical issue requiring effective intra-departmental collaboration among police units. This study investigates how various strategies and practices impact the efficiency of police efforts in combating human trafficking; with a focus on Nairobi County. The study employs Network Theory which emphasizes the importance of communication networks in coordinating and enhancing collaborative efforts across different units within an organization. Data was collected through structured interviews and focus groups discussions with key stakeholders, including police officers, community leaders, and National Government Officers. The study utilized a purposive sampling method to ensure diverse perspectives on the effectiveness of intra-departmental collaboration. The research engaged 20 respondents, including local community leaders, senior police officers, and national-level officials. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis for qualitative responses and descriptive statistics for quantitative data. This approach facilitated a comprehensive understanding of the communication practices, command structure, resource allocation, and community involvement in combating human trafficking. The study found that centralized communication systems and routine interdepartmental meetings significantly enhance cooperation and efficiency in responding to human trafficking. Decentralization of command authority improves local responsiveness, while fair resource distribution fosters collaboration. Community leaders and organizations provide crucial intelligence and support, emphasizing the need for strengthened partnerships between police and community stakeholders. Effective anti-trafficking efforts depend on integrated communication systems, improved command structures, equitable resource allocation, and strong community partnerships. While centralized systems and strategic planning enhance inter-departmental collaboration, issues such as inadequate command guidance and resource imbalances hinder cooperation. To improve intra-departmental collaboration, it is recommended to decentralize decision-making authority, implement a unified communication platform, conduct regular interdisciplinary meetings, and ensure equitable distribution of resources. Additionally, fostering stronger relationships with local community leaders and organizations will enhance information sharing and overall effectiveness in combating human trafficking.


 
 
 The article formulates the basic list of abilities that leaders of local communities need to have as accractors of the e ective social development. It is substantiated that the heads of territorial communities, deputies, leaders of initiative groups of the community are entrusted with not simple task, which is to provide constructive social self-organization, based on permanent social dialogue and partnership with the community. According to synergetics methodology these individuals have to become the attractors for the e ective social development. The approaches to the understanding of an attractor in modern science are analyzed. The article a rms that the future system depends on leaders who direct transformation of the respective system. The most important aspects of leadership that are relevant at the level of local communities are analysed. It is substantiated that the self-organization of life in the local community begins with the establishment of the principles of corporatism.
 
 

BackgroundEffective collaboration between local health authorities and community leaders is critical for timely and inclusive responses to health emergencies in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, evidence on how these partnerships function, their effectiveness, and associated challenges remains scattered. This scoping review aims to map existing research on such collaborations to identify strategies, best practices, and gaps.MethodsThis scoping review will be conducted using the Arksey and O’Malley methodological framework. A systematic search of electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, and relevant grey literature sources, will be performed, covering publications from inception to 2025 without restrictions on language or publication date. The inclusion criteria will focus on studies that explore collaboration strategies, their effectiveness, challenges, and outcomes in the context of health emergencies in LMICs. Two independent reviewers will screen studies, and extract data, with any discrepancies resolved by a third reviewer. The findings will be synthesised narratively, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Scoping Reviews guideline.DiscussionThis scoping review will offer a comprehensive overview of the current literature on collaborations between local health authorities and community leaders during health emergencies in LMICs. The review will identify effective strategies, common challenges, and successful practices, as well as highlight areas where further research is needed. The insights gained from this review will inform policymakers, practitioners, and researchers aiming to strengthen community-based responses to health emergencies. The findings will be disseminated through publication in a peer-reviewed journal, presentations at relevant conferences, and discussions with key stakeholders to support improved collaborations and response strategies in LMICs.

Mariculture of vaname shrimp, which is based on the social entrepreneur, is one of the strategies to improve the coastal welfare community. This concept focuses on enhancing the community's economy and environmental sustainability. To succeed in the business, an active role and stakeholder involvement is needed. This study aims to identify and map the role of stakeholders that influences business activities. Data analysis is carried out descriptively based on the results of identification, the typology classification, and the analysis of Dependence Mapping. The results of the study state that the role of stakeholders is divided into the internal and the external. The typology classification shows the educational institutions expect the role of definite owned by the group leader, the research and suppliers, the latent-discretionary by operational and marketing executives, the expected-dangerous by local governments, provincial governments and community leaders, the latent-dormant by the mass media and NGOs, the latent-discretionary by private companies, the latent demanding by financial institutions and MSMEs, and the expected-dependent by end consumers. The groups of stakeholders that influence the business are 1) High Interdependence consisting of group leaders, operational executors, finance and marketing, suppliers and private companies, and 2) Power Stakeholders consisting of end consumers, community leaders, local governments, educational and research institutions. Keywords: social entrepreneur, stakeholder, vaname, dependence mapping

Challenges in rural communities call for awareness of community leaders in overcoming these challenges. One of these challenges is the government’s endeavour to ensure that the rural community development is parallel to the country’s development; hence, a credible, effective community leader is needed to achieve the country’s development aspiration. This study was conducted in four rural communitiesin the state of Terengganu, Malaysia to identify the role played by local community leaders. These communities were selected based on their excellent achievement in community development programmes and contests. The objectives of this research are, (1) identifying the role of leaders in bringing success for every development programme and (2) ascertaining the leadership style that can bring positively impact a community. The data for this study were obtained from observations and interviews with 40 respondents who comprised of chairpersons and members of the Villages Development and Safety Committee (J3K), as well as local residents. The findings showed that effective community leadership plays a significant role as an agent of change and has the ability to positively impact the development of rural community. Besides that, community leaders’ practise of effective leadership style is perceived to bring changes among the community in the social, economic and cultural aspects, as well as changes in the way of thinking among rural communities. In this regard, leadership in these four communities is viewed to manifests the change into better leadership that can inspire other community leaders.

<p>In My Back Yard is a documentary film that explores the changing landscape of the Mount Dennis neighbourhood in Toronto. This change is represented by the 54-acre Kodak site that is being transformed into the second largest transportation hub in the Greater Toronto Area. The film employs a series of visual strategies and retells recent observations related to the impact of this massive infrastructure project on the people, the land and the urban wildlife. Local residents, politicians and community leader were consulted. Their interviews are combined with dioramas, archival photographs and time-lapse photography to express the multi-facetted list of community concerns. This support paper attempts to define and analyse these struggles within the context of Leo Marx’s 1964 work The Machine in the Garden: Technology and the Pastoral Ideal in America. This paper proposes that Marx’s concept of the “middle landscape” helps to define the current struggle in Mount Dennis.</p>

<p>In My Back Yard is a documentary film that explores the changing landscape of the Mount Dennis neighbourhood in Toronto. This change is represented by the 54-acre Kodak site that is being transformed into the second largest transportation hub in the Greater Toronto Area. The film employs a series of visual strategies and retells recent observations related to the impact of this massive infrastructure project on the people, the land and the urban wildlife. Local residents, politicians and community leader were consulted. Their interviews are combined with dioramas, archival photographs and time-lapse photography to express the multi-facetted list of community concerns. This support paper attempts to define and analyse these struggles within the context of Leo Marx’s 1964 work The Machine in the Garden: Technology and the Pastoral Ideal in America. This paper proposes that Marx’s concept of the “middle landscape” helps to define the current struggle in Mount Dennis.</p>

The main research objective of this study is to examine how coastal urban communities in the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation (AZRF) organize the sustainable development (and emerging blue economy) strategy planning process. Along with this general objective, this study focuses on four more specific questions: First, to examine whether the sustainable development and blue economy concepts are integrated into the urban development strategies and whether they are a real priority for the northern coastal communities? Second, to figure out which local government and civil society institutions are involved in the policy planning process and whether this sphere of local politics is transparent and open to public discussions? Third, to find out which specific aspects of the sustainable development and coastal blue economy concepts are given priority in the municipal development strategies? Finally, to discuss whether the AZRF coastal sustainable development/blue economy strategies aim to solve short-term/most pressing problems or they suggest long-term policies built on sustainability principles and are oriented to solve fundamental socioeconomic and ecological problems of the AZRF coastal communities? The hypothesis of this study is that a properly designed strategy planning system would be helpful for both familiarizing northern municipalities with the blue economy concept and its effective implementation. This research is based on several empirical cases, including major Arctic coastal urban centers/ports—Anadyr, Arkhangelsk, Dudinka, Murmansk, Naryan-Mar, Pevek, Sabetta, and Severodvinsk.

Differences in land access on Pasaran Island reflect complex inequalities between local and migrant groups, and between communities with different economic power. The social-ecological dynamics involved control of land resources and reclamation. The absence of appropriate regulations has led to tensions. Using a qualitative method using in-depth interviews with 14 informants. Informant selection based on purposive sampling technique based on criteria, primary data was collected from 14 informants who were directly involved in the social-ecological dynamics created on Pasaran Island, including the Local Government (Marine and Fisheries Office of Bandar Lampung City and Land Office of Bandar Lampung City), Head of Village, Head of Neighborhood Association, Local Community (Bugis), Migrant Community (Cirebon and Indramayu), and Community Leaders. Data collection was closed after data saturation was reached when no more new information emerged, and the data collected as a whole formed a complete story. This research explores issues of access struggle and social-ecological dynamics within the framework of access theory. Based on understanding these land access and socio-ecological dynamics, the government can take more appropriate steps to manage resources, prevent conflict, and support environmental sustainability and community welfare on Pasaran Island.

A rising tide of adaptation action: Comparing two coastal regions of Aotearoa-New Zealand

Diverse and contested local interests and the complexity of climate change make adaptation to climate change risks at the coast challenging. Even in similar settings, adaptation experiences and prospects can differ markedly. Why? This paper provides empirical evidence of comparative adaptation experiences in two regions of Aotearoa-New Zealand - the Coromandel Peninsula and the Hawke's Bay coast. We critically examine how local barriers and enablers influence the trajectory of adaptation in two regions that face similar risks, have essentially the same institutional architecture, and yet have had very different adaptation experiences. We investigate the situational differences and similarities, and their implications for adaptation in each region. We found that the evolution of adaptation is shaped by the perceptions of the actors, especially local authority leaders, and opportunities that arise at a context-specific point in time. Such perceptions and opportunities can amount to barriers in one location and enablers in another. Growing concern about coastal hazard risk, improving levels of trust and legitimacy, community engagement, and collaborative governance were key to innovative long-term adaptation planning in the Hawke's Bay but their absence has led to short-term business as usual practices in the Coromandel. Yet even in the latter case, change is underway and longer-term adaptation planning is commencing. We conclude that there is a ‘rising tide’ of adaptation action in the face of escalating climate risk – with long-term planning and local action triggered by cumulative hazard experience and / or extreme events that raise public concern and make climate change salient to local community members and leaders. Both local and regional interests and concerns shape local response appetites. Proactive, local authority-led engagement and long-term strategic planning are foundational for mobilizing effective adaptation responses. Enabling national policy, guidance and institutional provisions are key to prompting and sustaining such efforts, and to facilitating broad consistency in locally appropriate responses. Notwithstanding efforts to foster locally appropriate but nationally aligned adaptation responses, our research shows that coastal communities and their local authorities follow pathways consistent with local risk appetites, understanding about climate change, and the political will and capacity of local government to mobilize key governance actors around long-term strategic planning.