Social Learning: Methods Matter but Facilitation and Supportive Context Are Key—Insights from Water Governance in Sweden

Madeleine Prutzer,Peter Nolbrant,Andrea Morf

doi:10.3390/w13172335

Madeleine Prutzer, Peter Nolbrant + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/w13172335

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Journal: Water	Publication Date: Aug 26, 2021
Citations: 4	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: University of Gothenburg, Swedish Institute

Abstract

This paper analyses and discusses how and to what extent social learning (SL), as a means to address complex adaptive problems in water governance, can be enabled in local and regional multi-stakeholder collaborations. Using a multi-method, qualitative, collaborative, and self-reflective case study design, the conditions, challenges, and enablers for SL were studied, comparing three complementary cases of voluntary multi-actor platforms (water councils) to improve water quality in West Sweden. These councils were established to foster the implementation of the Water Frame Directive and—on a voluntary basis without a formal decision mandate or responsibility—to implement measures or act. Using participant observation, evaluation workshops, and a survey, the methods employed by the councils, which were founded on trust-based approaches, were assessed based on how they contributed to trust and social learning. Observed outcomes included an increased number of participants, sub-projects, local water groups, and measures. Respondents mentioned better dialogue, higher commitment, and broader knowledge as positive outcomes. Based on this, we conclude that there is a need for neutral spaces for meetings led by process facilitators, enabling cross-sectorial and cross-level exchanges, a process which is not common in Swedish water management.

Highlights

In this paper we analyse how methods and approaches used in collaborative processes affected activities and learning in three water councils in southwestern Sweden
There are two key authorities in the context of the WaterCoG project: one is at a national scale, the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management (SwAM); the other is at a regional scale, the Skagerrak and Kattegat Water District Authority (SKWDA)
In groups where a collaborative social learning (SL) process based on the trust-based approaches (TBA) and collaboration supporting structures (CSS) had been applied, which are associated with more frequent cross-border meetings and with committed actors, participants rated the dialogue as being closer to constructive dialogue

Summary

Introduction

The project included collaboration of researchers, practitioners, and local stakeholders in five EU countries (Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands, the UK, and Sweden), using a case- and problem-based approach. With the aim to promote local involvement and enhance collaboration to address water management problems, collaborative process designs were developed and tested. There are two key authorities in the context of the WaterCoG project: one is at a national scale, the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management (SwAM); the other is at a regional scale, the Skagerrak and Kattegat Water District Authority (SKWDA). The municipalities are important in their responsibility for measures within their territory and technical mandates [7] Based on their right of disposition over land and water, the landowners (e.g., farmers and forestry) and waterpower owners are key stakeholders as well

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