Benefits For Local Communities Research Articles

Enhancing demographic diversity of scientist-community collaborations improves wildlife monitoring in Madagascar

Community-based monitoring (CBM)– programs that integrate community members and their values into biodiversity and/or natural resource monitoring– is an effective tool for conservation. Wide inequities exist in CBM collaboration, and monitoring abilities may vary between collaborators of different backgrounds. Therefore exploring the demographic composition of CBM collaborators, and how demographics shape individual monitoring efficacy, can help improve both diversity in CBM representation and program outcomes. Yet, few studies have focused on CBM collaborator demographics, especially in low-income countries. We implemented a CBM project co-designed by protected area managers and local community members in the geographically, biologically, and culturally diverse Southern Madagascar. The project involved 27 scientists and 83 community members who collectively generated 69,429 observations of birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles across two years (2917 surveys). Using linear regressions and mixed-effects models, we examined how collaborators' demographics (gender, age, and level of formal education) and their prior amount of biological monitoring experience impacted their efficacy, measured as the number of observed species. For both scientists and community members, monitoring teams with women, despite being underrepresented, on average observed more species than male-only teams. Among community members, age and level of formal education had smaller positive effects on efficacy. Our results suggest that CBM projects should actively engage a broad array of community members, including those with marginalized identities, to provide diverse perspectives. Inclusive initiatives offer both tangible (lower project costs) and intangible (community engagement, education, and enhanced collaboration) benefits for local communities and conservation managers alike.

‘Not All Fun and Games’: The Case of the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games

Summary In April 2022, the Australian state of Victoria was confirmed to be the host of the Commonwealth Games 2026. The proposal placed a strategic emphasis on leveraging legacy to benefit local communities, particularly through the provision of affordable and social housing and sporting facilities in regional Victoria. The Games were to take place across five regional cities to showcase Victoria globally, while generating economic growth for the regional economies, creating local jobs and boosting inclusion and participation of regional communities. However, in July 2023, the Premier of Victoria announced the cancellation of the Games, primarily justified by the increase in the initial cost of running the event. This conceptual case study provides an analysis of the factors that influenced the cancellation and identifies several significant challenges that contributed to that outcome, including lack of infrastructure, logistical complexities, and budgetary constraints, as well as the intricate dynamics among these aspects. It also discusses the potential opportunities and challenges for the state of Victoria and its brand as a host of sporting events. Information © The Authors 2023

PENGEMBANGAN JASA LINGKUNGAN DI HUTAN LINDUNG DALAM MENDUKUNG EKONOMI MASYARAKAT DAN PENDAPATAN DAERAH

Developing environmental services in protected forests can be done in various ways, such as developing natural tourism, planting trees to reduce carbon emissions, and managing water resources. The approach used in this study is qualitative with the desk research method. The development of environmental services in protected forests can be carried out through various approaches, such as community-based forest management, partnerships between government and the private sector, and the use of information and communication technology. The development of environmental services can increase people's income by increasing the economic value of products produced from protected forests, assisting in maintaining sustainable management of natural resources, and increasing the availability of natural resources that are beneficial for human life and the ecosystem. The main challenges in managing environmental services are lack of access to capital and technology, as well as lack of public awareness and participation in managing natural resources. There are opportunities for developing environmental services in protected forests, such as increasing public awareness of the importance of preserving protected forests and advances in information and communication technology that can be used in developing environmental services. The development of environmental services in protected forests through social forestry programs is a solution to maintain human survival and preserve protected forests. This program provides economic, social and technological benefits for local communities and encourages sustainable forest management, as well as increasing community awareness in preserving forest functions.

Valorisation of Madagascar’s Wildlife Trade and Wildlife Tourism: What Are the Conservation Benefits?

Wildlife tourism and wildlife trade may appear juxtaposed, but are two, potentially aligning, income generators that could benefit conservation in developing countries. Utilising data sets collated from Madagascar’s Ministère du Tourisme and CITES, respectively, for the period 2007 to 2018, this study estimated levels of income from wildlife tourism and wildlife trade for Madagascar. Between 2007 and 2018, tourism reported yearly incomes ranging from a low of USD 1.4 million up to a high of USD 15.7 million. However, it was unclear what percentage of this figure flowed to benefit local communities. Alternatively, using reported networks for the live wildlife trade, the estimated economic value reaching collectors and/or intermediaries in Madagascar was USD 72,299.80 for the period 2007 to 2018. Both revenue generators operated within different geographical areas, with tourism opportunities presenting themselves to communities adjacent to national parks, while wildlife trade networks were not restricted to protected areas and operated sporadically across Madagascar. Hence, the economic benefits reached different Malagasy participants across the country. The management of both activities needs great care to ensure that environmental impacts and sustainability are core measures on any such activities. Whilst this study shines a light on economic values and novel perspectives regarding these two trade types, it also highlights knowledge gaps, thus indicating where much greater research attentions are required to allow a better understanding of the specific benefits and risks from engaging with both trade types for local Malagasy people and their environments.

Run-of-river hydropower in the UK and Ireland: the case for abstraction licences based on future flows

Run-of-river hydropower in the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland is a small but vital component of renewable electricity generation that enhances grid diversification and resilience, contributes to the net-zero emissions targets, and provides local community benefits. Planning approval by environmental regulators for hydropower water abstraction is based on the abstraction licence conditions (ALCs) that dictate when and how much water may be taken from a given stream location. Although ALCs for non-environmentally sensitive rivers vary across England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Ireland, the impacts of these variations on power generation are not fully understood. Here, we investigate how ALC variations across the UK and Ireland have historically impacted water abstraction and power generation and might continue to do so under future climate conditions. Specifically, we apply five distinct ALCs combination sets, as laid out by the five environmental regulators in the region, to historical observed streamflows and future projected flows (modelled for the Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5 scenario using the EXP-HYDRO hydrological model), at 531 hydropower sites across the UK and Ireland. We then calculate the daily water abstraction potential for each hydropower site and the collective power generation potential separately for Great Britain (GB) and the Island of Ireland (IoI). Our results show that the ALCs that permit greater use of lower flows allow for more power generation than those that enable abstraction during high flow conditions. The most optimal combination of ALCs for power generation, when compared to those currently in use, increases future generation potential by 30.4% for GB and 24.4% for the IoI, while maintaining environmental protection as per the Welsh guidelines. Our results suggest that ALC policy and regulatory reforms are needed to provide optimal use of future streamflows for hydropower generation while ensuring protection for the environment is maintained.

Impacts of energy communities on tourism: benefits and functions towards green transition

ObjetivoEl propósito de este artículo de perspectiva es destacar el papel de las Comunidades Energéticas (CE) en el campo del turismo como iniciativas voluntarias que combinan fines no comerciales con objetivos comunitarios ambientales y sociales. Las CE ofrecen una variedad de beneficios potenciales para las comunidades locales, los proveedores turísticos y los destinos turísticos, incluyendo la reducción de costes energéticos, la mejoras en las prácticas de sostenibilidad y una propuesta única de venta para atraer a turistas concienciados del medio ambiente.Diseño/metodología/enfoqueEste artículo de perspectiva utiliza una revisión narrativa de la literatura académica, la principal legislación de la Unión Europea relativa a las CE y artículos online para proporcionar un análisis del panorama actual de las CE.ResultadosEste artículo presenta los principales beneficios que los miembros de las CE pueden experimentar en las categorias financieras, sociales y ambientales. Se destacan las posibles funciones de las CE para los proveedores turísticos y los destinos turísticos. Además de reforzar las prácticas sostenibles, las CE crean oportunidades para la creación de valor regional, ejerciendo un marcado potencial para influir en el desarrollo de los destinos. Éstas pueden convertirse en una parte integral de la gobernanza de los destinos turísticos, impulsando la innovación social verde y contribuyendo a la marca turística.Originalidad/valorEste artículo ofrece un reconocimiento temprano y una articulación clara de los beneficios y posibles funciones que las CE ofrecen al ámbito del turismo. Al resaltar su potencial impacto positivo en el medio ambiente, la sociedad, las empresas turísticas y la política, este estudio impulsa una mayor investigación en este campo.

Transforming Historic Buildings into Museums: A Case Study of Wellington Museum

This study focused on historical preservation by using the Wellington Museum in Wellington as a case study and aimed to identify the buildings historical, cultural, and architecture while also addressing safety concerns through a structural assessment. By doing so, the building was able to be transformed into a museum that retained its original features but also incorporated modern amenities and interactive exhibitions to enhance the visitor experience. To ensure the ongoing maintenance of the building, a curatorial plan was developed. This plan would guarantee that the building would be maintained in a way that was consistent with its historical, cultural, and architectural significance. Since it transformed into a museum, the Wellington Museum has become a valuable resource for the community, attracting thousands of visitors annually and generating revenue. The study concludes that the Wellington Museum is a great example of the benefits of preserving and utilizing historic buildings for public benefit. Additionally, the methodology used in this study could be applied to other historical buildings seeking to become museums. Overall, the study highlights the importance of historical preservation to protect cultural heritage and create economic and social benefits for local communities.

TOURISTS' PERCEPTION OF RESPONSIBLE TOURISM: A STUDY IN NINH BINH CITY, VIETNAM

Responsible tourism is considered a suitable form of tourism to promote sustainable tourism development. These issues are increasingly being researched in the tourism industry, but there is a lack of studies approaching them from the perspective of tourists' perception. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to present the theory of responsible tourism and present the results of a survey on tourists' perception of responsible tourism in Ninh Binh. The research method includes examining relevant literature to present the relationship between sustainable tourism and responsible tourism and discussing the principles of responsible tourism. Tourists' perception is analyzed through a questionnaire survey conducted in 2017. The sampling method used in the survey is random selection. We need a responsible tourism industry that provides a way to minimize ecological impacts, benefit local communities, and reduce poverty - a responsible tourism industry reflected in the organization and practice in the economic, environmental, and cultural sectors. The results show that responsible tourism is still a new trend in Ninh Binh. Tourists have a low awareness of this issue. Therefore, education about responsible tourism is particularly important through knowledge sharing and building awareness of responsible tourism.
 Keywords: Sustainable Tourism, Responsible Tourism, Responsible Tourism Perception.

Community-Based Teacher Education: The Experiences of Teacher Candidates Learning Alongside Grassroots Youth Organizers

This community-based action research (CBAR) project acknowledges and disrupts existing systemic barriers to bring teacher candidates and grassroots youth organizers together through dialogue and reflection for transformative action. The practice of community-based pedagogy is described and utilized to demonstrate how critical understandings of community may imagine new ways of learning in conventional teacher education programs. This process enhances teacher candidates’ understanding and use of community-based pedagogy while supporting youth organizers in social justice initiatives within schools and communities. The findings, which draw from the CBAR project of a white, cis-gender woman who is a teacher educator-scholar-community organizer, provide implications for teacher educators aiming to foster collaborative partnerships with youth-centered grassroots community organizations and intergenerational community members. Teacher educators are invited to engage in paradigm shifts to curate community-based teacher education programs that are stimulated by and benefit local schools and communities.

Civilization challenges for local governments and non-governmental organizations

Local government and non-governmental organizations are two entities that share manyfeatures. The most important of them include: cooperation, development and mutualbenefit. Acting for the benefit of local communities throughout Poland is key to achievingsustainable civilization development. Therefore, cooperation between local governmentsand various non-governmental organizations, such as foundations and associations,is necessary. In all this, an important role is played primarily by civil society, i.e. onethat works actively for local communities, participating in various charitable campaigns,supporting those most in need, etc. When we talk about supporting individual entities,we should not forget about the Catholic Church in Poland. As a religious institution,the Catholic Church should be an advocate of undertaking various types of initiatives tohelp those most in need. The authority of the Catholic Church should be a guide for numerousnon-governmental organizations that work for local communities. The support provided by the Church to these institutions should not take an exclusively symbolicform, but also a real one, such as the activities of the "Caritas Polska" foundation.However, first of all, it is a big challenge in particular for the local governmentsthemselves, to ensure that their wise policy is guided by real support for foundationsand associations that play a very important role in our society.

Ecotourism Capital as an Enabler of Positive Change in Tourism Sustainability

Despite a global commitment to minimise the impact of tourism on the environment and maximise its benefits for local communities, the pressure of tourism on natural resources is still increasing. In this context, ecotourism becomes key to safeguarding the integrity of the ecosystem while producing economic benefits that can ultimately encourage the conservation of the environment. However, despite its benefits, there is still a need to develop the market presence of ecotourism strategies and initiatives. Thus, tourists' positive intention toward ecotourism and organisations that seek to meet the demand of the increasingly environmentally conscious market are key to the success of ecotourism initiatives. In the context of the information era, organisations may create a trustworthy relationship with ecotourists by providing them with accurate and engaging information on their environmental policies and actions. This relationship may result in the emergence of a critical intangible asset such as eco-tourism capital as tourists' decisions are based on image, perception and recommendations from social groups. For organisations to benefit from eco-tourism capital, they should use social media to generate opportunities for eco-tourists to experience and appreciate nature, respect local cultures, support local communities and minimise and mitigate their negative impact on the environment. Based on the above, the aim of this study is to explore, via a descriptive analysis of data collected from international ecotourists, how social media can be used to create eco-tourism capital. To that aim, we explore factors relating to ecotourism knowledge, green trust, and exposure to information on social media provided by ecotourism service providers.

Social innovation supports inclusive and accelerated energy transitions with appropriate governance

Accelerating energy transitions that are both sustainable and just remains an important challenge, and social innovation can have a key role in this transition. Here, we examine the diversity and potential of social innovation in energy systems transformation, synthesizing original mixed methods data from expert interviews, document analysis, social innovation experiments, a representative survey, and an expert survey. Based on a thematic analysis of these data, we advance four key findings: (1) the diversity of social innovation in energy is best understood when recognizing core social practices (thinking, doing, and organizing) and accounting for changes in social relations (cooperation, exchange, competition, and conflict); (2) governance, policy networks, and national context strongly shape social innovation dynamics; (3) processes of social innovation are implicated by multidimensional power relations that can result in transformative changes; and (4) social innovation in energy generally has strong social acceptance among citizens, benefits local communities and is legitimized in key community and city organizations. We discuss an agenda for 9 future research directions on social innovation in energy, and conclude with insights related to national context, governance, and acceleration.

Ecosystem services provided by striped hyenas in the human-dominated landscape of Rajasthan, India

In human-dominated landscapes, quantifying ecosystem services in terms of economic benefits could contribute to establishing peaceful coexistence between humans and large carnivores. In this study, we estimated the monetary value of scavenging benefits provided by striped hyenas (Hyaena hyaena) in an anthropogenic landscape in the semi-arid region of Rajasthan, India. We converted the value of domestic livestock carcasses consumed by striped hyenas from opportunity costs to quantify the value of this important ecosystem service to local people. We determined the monetary value of carcass disposals using two methods, including (1) electric cremation, and (2) pyre burning of animal carcasses. To determine the minimum number of striped hyenas, present in the study area, we employed a photo-capture approach, and we used scat analysis to determine the livestock consumed by striped hyenas. We estimated that striped hyenas removed 23.13 tons (4.4 %) of livestock carcass waste from the total of 525.68 tons of waste generated per year in the Intensive Study Area (ISA). The annual monetary value of livestock carcass waste removal by striped hyenas in the ISA was estimated to be ~US$ 7095 for electric cremation and US$ 49,665 for pyre burning. Our study demonstrates the economic benefit of scavenging services provided by striped hyenas in areas where anthropogenic food is abundant. In such areas, as hyenas scavenge anthropogenic food, local communities benefit from waste management. Using alternative carcass disposal methods without striped hyenas would be expensive and likely environmentally damaging.

Queering Russian cinema as a community-building practice

ABSTRACT LGBTQ media discourses in contemporary Russia have been extensively researched from the perspectives of media and queer studies. Scholars have theorised whether ‘queerness’ can be appropriated from the West and localised in Russia for the benefit of local LGBTQ communities. Building on existing scholarship, this article examines media discourses on queer film as initiated and maintained by representatives of Russian LGBTQ film audiences. I investigate how LGBTQ opinion leaders appropriate the term kvir (queer) in the context of viewing and interpreting contemporary, post-Soviet, and Soviet Russian cinema. I analyse how ‘queering’ is used as the optics for discerning obvious or ciphered visual and verbal expressions of non-heteronormative gender and sexuality on screen, at the same time reclaiming narratives of the recent and remote past, as both shared and individual LGBTQ histories.

Capacity Building Challenges and Strategies in the Development of New Capital City of Indonesia

This study aims to analyze the challenges faced in preparing capacity building in the context of the development of the new capital city of Indonesia and identify strategies that can be implemented to overcome these challenges. This study uses a qualitative approach by analyzing data from secondary sources, such as official government documents, research reports, and related publications. The analysis tool that is maximized is NVivo 12 Plus. The results showed that several challenges must be overcome in preparing the capacity building for developing the new capital city (IKN). These challenges include limited skilled human resources, budgetary constraints, gaps in knowledge and skills, coordination and collaboration between stakeholders, technological change, and innovation. These challenges affect the effectiveness and efficiency of development, as well as the sustainability of the development of the new capital city. In overcoming these challenges, the recommended strategy includes the government's commitment to providing adequate resources, developing supportive policies, and close cooperation between all relevant stakeholders. In addition, a participatory, inclusive, and sustainable approach is considered important to ensure the success of capacity building. Through the involvement of all parties, recognition of the needs and aspirations of the community, and the use of a sustainable approach, the development of the new capital city can run well and provide sustainable benefits for local communities.

Applying Q-methodology to investigate the perception of the social and economic role of the national park by local stakeholders. Cases of national parks in the Carpathians

The modern approach to the management of protected areas (PAs) introduces a holistic perspective on these areas, in which they are not seen as isolated conservation zones, but as units integrated with their natural, social and economic environment. They are expected to harmonize their protective role with tangible benefits for local communities. Fostering both social and economic development is particularly important in underdeveloped, peripheral areas. The efficacy of management within this novel paradigm relies heavily on the attitudes and perceptions of local communities towards the PAs. As a result, the research was undertaken to identify local stakeholders' perceptions of the social and economic role of national parks (NPs) in the Carpathian region of the European Union (EU). The study was based on 170 interviews conducted in eight NPs, among four stakeholder groups (NPs authorities, local authorities, representatives of the tourism sector, local residents). Q-methodology was applied to achieve a comprehensive understanding of respondents' perspectives, along with their nuanced opinions. This methodology enables a statistical analysis that leads to the identification of groups of opinions and the examination of differences between them. Based on it, three main groups of opinions (perspectives) were identified in which the national park was perceived as: I) a stimulant to sustainable local development, II) a partner and a chance for future local development and III) a constraint on local development. Perspective I was dominant (44.7% of respondents), being the most typical for Pieniny NP (Poland) and Aggtelek (Hungary), and - considering stakeholder groups - for national park authorities (the most homogeneous group in terms of opinions). Perspective II was characteristic mainly of Retezat NP (Romania) and Magura NP (Poland) and perspective III appeared most numerously in Poloniny (Slovakia), as well as in Piatra Craiului (Romania). The local context, related to a particular NP, differentiated opinions more strongly than the stakeholder group or country of origin. Opinions regarding the current park-people relationships and impact of the NP on local development as well as expectations as to the commercial use of the park's territory (the vision of tourism development) differed strongly among the representatives of the perspectives. A consensus emerged regarding the belief that NPs should support local development (e.g. by promoting local products and ensuring the benefits of its functioning reach the local residents). Furthermore, there was a consensus in rejecting the top-down management model of NPs, with a vision for future development focused on fostering a park-people partnership. These consensus views provide a positive ground for the implementation of a holistic approach and an integrative management model for NPs in the Carpathians.

Resource Nationalism and Community Benefits

Resource nationalism has been an area of interest among researchers and policy makers at local and global levels. This is triggered by the fact that governments and various stakeholders are interested in determining how natural resources benefit individual citizens in their countries. This paper draws from a study that investigated the role of resource nationalism in improving community benefits in Geita region, Tanzania. Data collection was conducted through questionnaire survey, focus group discussions, in-depth interviews and documentary review. Results from the study revealed that local community benefits in terms of revenue collections and projects being implemented have increased. For instance, in a period of four years (2017/18 to 2020/21) after the enactment of mining laws of 2017, a total of TZS663bn was collected as compared to TZS197bn collected for the same period before the enactment of the mining laws. As per the number of projects implemented through CSR, the results indicated that it increased from 15 in 2014/15 to 129 in 2020/21; covering sectors such as education, health, infrastructure and the empowerment of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Furthermore, the paper reveals that there have been improvements in community participation as compared to previous years; and recommends more improvements in community participation and transparency in corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects to ensure its sustainability. It also recommends policy actions for setting the amount of CSR for mining companies to contribute

Navigating the Fine Line of Sustainable Tourism: A Critical Analysis with Implications for Tourism Planning

Sustainable tourism has become a hot topic due to the negative impacts of traditional tourism. The concept is designed to balance economic, social, and environmental objectives, but is complex and multifaceted. It has advantages, including the preservation of the environment and cultural heritage, and economic benefits for local communities. However, I contend that sustainable tourism also presents vast challenges such as being difficult to define and measure, being more expensive than traditional forms of tourism (in part), and potentially having negative impacts on local communities. Another major challenge is the lack of incentives for industry players, which makes it hard for stakeholders to embrace sustainable tourism methods and practices. The article concludes that governments must prioritize sustainable tourism initiatives and provide adequate resources and support to ensure their successful implementation.

Community‐driven science and science education: Living in and navigating the edges of equity, justice, and science learning

Community‐driven science and science education: Living in and navigating the edges of equity, justice, and science learning

Towards equity in land protection

AbstractLand protection not only supports vital ecosystem services but also poses important challenges for social equity. Three key concerns emerge from economic frameworks about land protection policies: potential lost local economic development, reinforcement of existing structural inequalities, and disparities in access to the benefits of protected land. This article reviews evidence for each concern and identifies research needs as well as potential improvements in policy that could better support equity goals. Pathways forward towards greater equity include specific mechanisms that can ensure local communities benefit from land protection, attention to issues of spatial impacts and timing, explicit prioritization of equity in land protection initiatives, and community-centred processes. Economists have and can continue to play a role in strengthening these dimensions of land protection policies.