Reviving heritage crafts: Connecting communities with coppicing

'Follow the Innovation‘ - a Joint Experimentation & Learning Approach to Transdisciplinary Innovation Research

BackgroundInclusive engagement in healthcare policies and decision-making is essential to address the needs of patients and communities, reduce health inequities and increase the accountability of the government. In low income countries such as Malawi, with significant health challenges, stakeholder inclusion is particularly important to improve performance and service delivery. The 2017 National Health Plan II (NHP II) and accompanying Health Sector Strategic Plan II (HSSP II) aimed to improve the functioning of the healthcare system. The Ministry of Health for Malawi intended to involve all key health sector stakeholders in their development. This study explores the extent of stakeholder engagement in the health policy process through local level stakeholders’ perceptions of their involvement in the NHP II and HSSP II.MethodsA qualitative study design was used. Interviews were conducted with 19 representatives of organisations operating at the local level, such as CSOs and local government. Open questions were asked about experiences and perceptions of the development of the NHP II and HSSP II. Inductive content analysis was performed.ResultsStakeholders perceived barriers to inclusive and meaningful engagement in the health policy process. Five categories were identified: tokenistic involvement; stakeholder hierarchy; mutual distrust; preferred stakeholders; no culture of engagement.ConclusionsSerious challenges to the meaningful and equitable engagement of local level stakeholder groups in the health policy process were identified. Issues of trust, accountability and hierarchy in donor-citizen-government relations must be addressed to support stakeholder engagement. Engagement must go beyond tokenism to embed a range of stakeholders in the process with feedback mechanisms to ensure impact from their contributions. Local level stakeholders can be empowered to advocate for and participate in consultation exercises alongside greater top-down efforts to engage stakeholders via diverse and inclusive methods. These issues are not unique to Malawi or to health policy-making.

The WOCAT network has collected, documented, and assessed more than 350 case studies on promising and good practices of SLM. Information on on- and off-site benefits of different SLM types, as well as on investment and maintenance costs is available, sometimes in quantitative and often in qualitative form. The objective of the present paper is to analyse what kind of economic benefits accrue to local stakeholders, and to better understand how these benefits compare to investment and maintenance costs. The large majority of the technologies contained in the database are perceived by land users as having positive benefits that outweigh costs in the long term. About three quarters of them also have positive or at least neutral benefits in the short term. The analysis shows that many SLM measures exist which can generate important benefits to land users, but also to other stakeholders. However, methodological issues need to be tackled and further quantitative and qualitative data are needed to better understand and support the adoption of SLM measures. Keywords: Sustainable Land Management, Costs, Benefits, Technologies

The urban art curriculum in the US context addresses the disconnect between student cultures on the one hand, and class content and the art teacher on the other. Most teachers are not of the same culture as their students, especially in urban settings. Using approaches such as visual culture and culturally responsive teaching can address the challenges of the urban classroom. These challenges include gaps in instruction, cultural disconnect between the students and the content, cultural disconnect between students and teachers, and debates over what urban students need to know. The suggested approaches can also enhance the classroom through providing a more authentic engagement with students' cultures by allowing them to bring their cultural understandings into the classroom, rather than focusing on those of the teacher who is a cultural outsider. They also allow students to engage with their art curriculum at a higher level conceptually, even when technical skills are lacking, by pushing their learning as other subjects do.

This article presents the results of a graduate employment study commissioned by the University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy, focusing on alumni of craft programmes. The findings are contextualized within broader educational, cultural, and economic frameworks. The article aims to analyse the modes of professional application of craft education, evaluate the adequacy of existing metrics, and outline future directions for the development of craft education and entrepreneurship. The article begins with an overview of the forms and historical background of craft education, highlighting the roles of formal, non-formal, and informal learning in the development of craft skills. Particular attention is given to the evolution of vocational and higher education since 1988, when the first traditional craft programmes were established. The development of various schools and curricula is described, with emphasis on the connection between tradition-based craft education, national identity, and cultural heritage. The analysis of previous studies reveals statistical and methodological limitations that hinder accurate assessment of the sector’s impact. Key issues include the ambiguity of EMTAK (Estonian Classification of Economic Activities) codes, the fragmentation of craft entrepreneurship across multiple sectors, and the exclusion of seasonal and part-time work from official statistics. Although earlier studies by OSKA have addressed the relationship between craft education and the labour market, their methodologies fail to account for the specific characteristics of the field.The methodology of the current study differs from previous approaches by focusing on alumni’s self-assessment of the relevance of their work to their field of study. The sample included graduates from vocational, applied higher education, and master’s programmes, with a total of 349 respondents. The survey was followed by in-depth interviews that explored alumni motivations, learning experiences, and career choices. A central finding of the study is the diverse ways in which craft education graduates engage with the labour market. Those fully employed in their field work primarily as teachers or trainers, with fewer operating as entrepre neurs and even fewer as salaried employees. The analysis of EMTAK codes revealed that alumni businesses span a wide range of activity sectors, under scoring the need for more appropriate metrics. The study found that 18% of vocational graduates, 33% of applied higher education graduates, and 56% of master’s graduates are fully employed in their field. When including partial employment, seasonal work, and activities partially related to their field of study, the figures rise to 55% for vocational education, 77% for applied higher education, and 82% for master’s level. These results demonstrate that the impact of craft education on the labour market is significantly greater than current statistical indicators suggest. Moreover, the data show a clear correlation between higher levels of education and increased professional engagement. The article highlights the need to consider the specific characteristics of the craft sector when evaluating educational outcomes. These include parttime and seasonal work, volunteer activities, and the application of craft skills in other professions. For example, craft skills are used in teaching, museum work, and community activities – contexts that are not reflected in official labour statistics but hold cultural and social value. Looking ahead, the article emphasizes the importance of craft skills in the context of sustainability. The growing relevance of circular economy practices, repair culture, and material reuse creates new opportunities for the application of craft expertise. Craft also plays a vital role in supporting mental health and fostering community cohesion. In regional employment, craft offers viable livelihood options in peripheral areas and for individuals with special needs, contributing to social inclusion. The article outlines three conceptual directions for craft entrepreneur ship: creative craft, skilled craft, and traditional craft. Creative craft links craft with design and innovation; skilled craft encompasses various service-oriented artisans and other service provider; and traditional craft focuses on the preservation of cultural heritage. Clarifying and integrating these directions into official business statistics is essential for the strategic development and support of the sector. In conclusion, the article argues that new, sector-specific metrics are needed to evaluate craft education and entrepreneurship, taking into account the unique features of creative industries. A political consensus on the definition of craft entrepreneurship is also necessary to ensure the sector’s sustainability and attractiveness. Craft education should not be dismissed as mere hobbyism – it is a vital cultural, economic, and social resource that requires systematic and informed development. Keywords: professional craft education, craft entrepreneurship, craft education application, craft education effectiveness research, alumni survey

Sustainable resource management depends on support from the public and local stakeholders. Fish, wildlife, and land management in remote areas face the challenge of working across vast areas, often with limited resources, to monitor land use or the status of the fish-and-wildlife populations. Resource managers depend on local residents, often Indigenous, to gain information about environmental changes and harvest trends. Developing mutual trust is thus important for the transfer of knowledge and sustainable use of land resources. We interviewed residents of eight communities in Arctic Alaska and Canada and analyzed their trust in resource governance organizations using mixed-methods. Trust was much greater among Alaska (72%) and Nunavut (62%) residents than Churchill (23%). Trust was highest for organizations that dealt with fish and wildlife issues, had no legal enforcement rights, and were associated with Indigenous peoples. Local organizations were trusted more than non-local in Alaska and Nunavut, but the opposite was true in Churchill. Association tests and modeling indicated that characteristics of organizations were significantly related to trust, whereas education was among the few individual-level characteristics that mattered for trust. Familiarity, communication, and education are crucial to improve, maintain, or foster trust for more effective management of natural resources in such remote communities.

<p>The article provides an in-depth review of the scientific literature devoted to the analysis of the values of students of Russian universities engaged in volunteering. The conclusions of an experimental study that was conducted to solve the problem of determining the factors that contribute to the orientation of young people to volunteer activities are formulated (on the basis of the “Questionnaire of Terminal Values” by I.G. Senin). The evaluation of the results of the mathematical and statistical analysis of the questionnaires by 400 respondents (from 19 to 26 years of age, including 184 men and 216 women) confirms the theory that there are significant differences in the structures of personal values of youth engaged in volunteer activities and those who are not prone to it. In addition, the weak influence of the gender factor was revealed, as well as a slight relationship between the work experience of Russian university students in volunteer organizations and some values, whose position in the value hierarchy of newcomers and experienced volunteers does not coincide.</p>

How can the efficiency of volunteers be improved in performing bushcare in the limited amount of time able to be spent caring for each location every month [1]? Bushcare is a volunteer activity with a high difficulty curve for volunteers just starting out as the crucial skill of distinguishing the native plants from the harmful invasive species only comes with experience and memorization [2]. The lack of ability to distinguish targeted plants will greatly reduce the efficiency of the volunteers as they work through the limited amount of time they have at each location each month while also discouraging newly joined volunteers from continuing this activity. To assist newly joined volunteers, the majority of each would likely be from a younger demographic with a digital app that could help the user distinguish the species of plant, making it easier for them to start familiarizing themselves with both the native and invasive species in their area [3]. The user could simply have to take a picture of the plant they wish to identify and the software would use its image recognition algorithm trained with a database of different species of plants to identify the type of plant and whether it needs to be removed. At the same time, more experienced volunteers could continue to use this app, identifying errors in the app’s identification to make it more reliable.

Geoscientists are often the first point of contact a local community has with a company conducting mineral exploration. The behavior of the geoscientists and the interest they take in understanding the local community and stakeholders will have ramifications well beyond their direct exploration activities. This article highlights some of the positive and negative impacts exploration can have for local communities (in part drawing on interviews with experienced geoscientists and others involved in exploration). The article explores the increasing complexity of deposits in terms of environmental, economic, social, and political parameters and the increasing scrutiny by local stakeholders and the international community. We argue that, although geoscientists are not social performance specialists, they still need the awareness, tools, and capabilities to understand and manage the social aspects of their exploration activities commensurate with the stage and resourcing of the project. We propose three interrelated aspects of social performance that can be applied during mineral exploration: meaningful and positive engagement, acquiring and documenting a social knowledge base, and strategic investment in the community. Two case studies provide cautionary examples of failure to do so and two case studies highlight how, through careful engagement and strategic collaboration, mutually beneficial and positive relationships can be built from early exploration.

Editor’s note: The Geology and Mining series, edited by Dan Wood and Jeffrey Hedenquist, is designed to introduce early-career professionals and students to a variety of topics in mineral exploration, development, and mining, in order to provide insight into the many ways in which geoscientists contribute to the mineral industry. Abstract Geoscientists are often the first point of contact a local community has with a company conducting mineral exploration. The behavior of the geoscientists and the interest they take in understanding the local community and stakeholders will have ramifications well beyond their direct exploration activities. This article highlights some of the positive and negative impacts exploration can have for local communities (in part drawing on interviews with experienced geoscientists and others involved in exploration). The article explores the increasing complexity of deposits in terms of environmental, economic, social, and political parameters and the increasing scrutiny by local stakeholders and the international community. We argue that, although geoscientists are not social performance specialists, they still need the awareness, tools, and capabilities to understand and manage the social aspects of their exploration activities commensurate with the stage and resourcing of the project. We propose three interrelated aspects of social performance that can be applied during mineral exploration: meaningful and positive engagement, acquiring and documenting a social knowledge base, and strategic investment in the community. Two case studies provide cautionary examples of failure to do so and two case studies highlight how, through careful engagement and strategic collaboration, mutually beneficial and positive relationships can be built from early exploration.

Sustainability of the local stakeholder network in semi-steppe rangelands in southern Iran

This study evaluated the extent to which local communities and key stakeholders understood, supported, and were prepared to implement Sustainable Land Management (SLM) practices that contribute to Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN). A mixed-methods approach adopted, incorporating household surveys, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions in selected communities across Katsina State, Nigeria. The findings revealed that while awareness of land degradation had increased among community members, significant gaps remained in technical knowledge, access to resources, and institutional coordination. Stakeholder engagement remained fragmented, and although traditional knowledge played an important role, it was rarely integrated into formal SLM strategies. The findings highlighted the importance of inclusive, community-led strategies in empowering local stakeholders, enhancing institutional capacity, and addressing the complex socio-ecological conditions of the region. By capturing local perspectives and evaluating institutional dynamics, the research offers practical guidance for policymakers and development practitioners for shaping more effective and sustainable pathways toward land degradation neutrality in the semi-arid part of Katsina State and other similar dry-land contexts.

Sustainability Indicators for Assessing and Monitoring the Sustainable Land Management in the Commercial Rice Zone of the Lower Pak Phanang River Basin, Thailand

Complexities and case-specific nature of territorial agrifood systems require urgent attention of researchers. The objective of this study is to provide advanced understanding and analysis of the perspective of urban and peri-urban farming through the lens of embeddedness in the life of the urban community. The study adopted Prato Province (Tuscany Region, Italy) as a case study area. Spatial analysis, in-depth semi-structured interviews with local stakeholders (N = 9), field observations and discussions with local farmers (N = 17) were deployed in the research. Drawing upon our research, we identified a wide diversity of unique, locally focused and rooted agrifood initiatives and innovative food networks connecting individual (or groups of) farmers with local people. Our findings suggest that observed farms tend to be highly differentially re-embedded to the urban space of Prato Province and its inhabitants. Mutual interconnectedness through jointly cooperating local agrifood initiatives truly contributes to a more sustainable shape of territorial agrifood system. Furthermore, our observations showed a clear tendency toward more sustainable land management in the region. We claim that well thought out and smart local food governance and systemic involvement of innovative territorial planning instruments, have potential to beneficially contribute to the formation of inspirational and transferrable sustainable agrifood systems.

Land management needs to cope with persistent environmental and societal changes. This requires functional governance systems. The purpose of this research is to develop a good governance framework for the implementation of sustainable land management. Good governance theory is extensive, although its operationalization remains difficult. We derived a set of good governance attributes from the literature: (i) the functionality of the regulatory framework, (ii) the legitimacy and accountability of the actors, (iii) the fairness and transparency of the decision-making processes, and (iv) quality control and adaptiveness. These constitute a framework which, supported by guiding questions, facilitates the evaluation of governance attributes to assess sustainable land management practices. We applied the scheme to a case study in Northeast Brazil regarding sustainable land management where biological pest control is considered to be a biodiversity-related ecosystem service. Since its adoption often falls short of expectations, we scrutinized its governance system. First, experts answered our guiding questions, and second, we involved local stakeholders in the discussion of good governance attributes through the participatory approach of constellation analysis. Trust in agricultural consultants and issues of the practical application of pest control turned out to be crucial. The workshop participants requested a model farm to build more trust and experience. There was considerable demand for policy at the national planning level to formulate and monitor the content of the agricultural advisory program. Our conceptualized framework of good governance questions provides systematization for planning and steering the implementation of sustainable land management practices.