Research brief
Community based adaptive learning in management of conflicts and natural resources in Bangladesh and Nepal
Supported By: NWO/CoCooN, Netherlands
Jointly Conducted by: FHRC/Middlesex University, UK and Nice Foundation
Period: January 2014 to December 2016
Context
The research focuses on existing Community Based Organisations (CBOs) involved in natural resource management (floodplain water, fish or
crops in Bangladesh and forests in Nepal). These are grassroots institutions formed by 50 to 1,000+ households usually from several adjacent
settlements in Bangladesh and one or more settlements in Nepal. Members are dependent on and involved in collective management of a
spatially defined area of forest, waterbody-floodplain or other natural resources (NR). So a community here broadly comprises of households
living in the relevant settlements, and can then be divided into stakeholder or common interest sub-communities based on their specific
resource use patterns. These CBOs function according to their constitutions, typically have democratically formed executive committees and
are registered formally with relevant government agencies. They may include all members of these settlements, or just those dependent on NR
in the defined area, or community representatives, or specific interest groups. NR based CBOs typically have about 33% women members in
Bangladesh, and are mandated at 50% women in Nepal for Community Forest User Groups (CFUGs), while agriculture related Marketing and
Planning Committees (MPCs) in Nepal generally have 60% women members. These CBOs are already involved in networking from local to
national levels and the project partners already work with these CBOs and their networks, facilitating a rapid start up and continued links after
the project.
Research Design
The four research questions (re-ordered from the original proposal) to be addressed are:
1. What impacts are climate changes and stresses having on NR bases and patterns of conflict or cooperation over them?
2. What impact are policy/governance responses likely to have on community cooperation and innovation?
3. Under what conditions are community based institutions able to overcome conflicts over floodplain and forest NR?
4. How can adaptive learning networks and associated tools enable local conflict resolution, better adapted NR management, and stronger
CBO roles in policy processes?
The research design combines action intervention with critical analysis in NR based CBOs and their networks. It links multi-disciplinary actionresearch and adaptive learning as two tiers of knowledge generation (this has been simplified from the original proposal). Both tiers will be
complemented by surveys undertaken by the research team to generate comparable data. This will be linked with a combination of policyrelated research and policy engagement. It will work in three regions of Bangladesh and two regions of Nepal defined by their main
environments. In each region the existing network of CBOs forms an important part of the population of potential sites for the research and will
enable intensive research and actions in a limited number of sites to inform a wider set of communities/CBOs.
Based on review of the priority conflict and cooperation issues identified in the project design consultations, and their occurrence in these
environments, we have identified distinct categories of conflict/cooperation situations which will be represented in the sites for the research.
These have been revised from the earlier proposal – simplifying the design based on some sites typically experiencing more than one type of
conflict.
In Bangladesh we retain the three regions originally proposed, merge two of the conflict-cooperation categories identified earlier, but then
subdivide categories. The resulting set of site categories and sub-categories are shown in Table 1, which identifies 15 types of sites/CBOs in
total.
Overall Objective of the Project: To examine the extent to which the expected climate changes and policy responses will
intensify conflicts over NR, generate evidence on the resilience of existing commons institutions (CBOs and local rules and
norms), and assess factors and tipping points that switch between cooperation and conflict.
Specific objective 1: To generate and share new insights and knowledge on CBO adaptation, factors underlying local conflict or
cooperation; and the interactions between policies, policy processes and community based adaptation.
Specific objective 2: To establish roles and mechanisms whereby effective adaptive learning processes across communities
and between governance hierarchies are incorporated in policies and practices locally and nationally in Bangladesh and
Nepal, and this informs policy responses to climate change internationally.
Specific objective 3:To develop strong partnerships and collaborations between researchers, development practitioners and
CBOs/grassroots organisations based on mutual understanding of learning-innovation processes and knowledge related to
conflict management and co-management of NR
Evidence and knowledge on
natural/ecological, economic,
social and political factors
(including impacts of recent
climate trends and stresses)
underlying and explaining trends
in cooperation and conflict in NR
management under different
institutional arrangements are
generated.
Result
Understanding of the current and
(1.2):
potential impact of policy
responses to climate changes on
community adaptation, comanagement and potential
conflicts are developed.
Result
Lessons and evidence on the
(1.3):
effectiveness and impacts of
adaptive learning and networking
to address issues of NR conflicts,
climate change adaptation and
multi-level environmental
governance
are documented
Main Activities aimed at Result (1.1)
Result
(1.1):


No. of case studies documented
No. of knowledge products made publicly
available







No. of policies analyzed
No. of policy recommendations developed


No. of best practices documented
No. of scientific papers prepared




Published case
studies
Progress reports
Copies of
publications
websites

Summary report on
policy reviews
Policy briefs
 There are
explicit
policy
documents
on climate
change
Publications on
best practices
Copies of
manuscripts of
scientific papers
 The CBOs
and
networks
continue to
function
normally
1. Finalization of: research framework, representative case study sites
(covering successful and less successful ongoing CBNRM initiatives facing
Main Activities aimed at Result (1.2)
Main Activities aimed at Result 1.3
2. Development relevance
Narrative / Definition
Specific
To establish roles and
objective
mechanisms whereby effective
different conflicts and control sites), and common qualitative and
quantitative indicators and research tools for case studies and monitoring
(including checklists, focus groups, survey methods and design,
questionnaires)
2 Documentation of case studies, and co-production of knowledge (including
drawing lessons with CBOs in sites that have co-management) – including
climate change and policy change impacts, regular monitoring to generate
evidence from intervention and comparison/control sites, comparative
analysis and synthesis of cases within and between countries, and
identification of lessons and findings and their relevance to wider contexts
in Asia
1. Review of policy directions and strategies relevant to national climate
adaptation, mitigation and NR management (including literature on impacts
of past policy changes on NR cooperation and conflict), and assessment of
impacts on adaptation, community based NR governance, equity and NR
sustainability from recent and potential policy/governance responses.
1. Assessment of changes in NR governance in panel of participating CBOs:
Develop common assessment indicators and tools for different NR bases and
contexts including multiple levels of governance. Baseline assessments and
profiles of CBOs and other co-management stakeholders, their existing roles
in networks and learning processes and performance in governance,
adaptation, NR management/ status and distribution of benefits, and repeat
impact assessments (annual) of the same CBOs and stakeholders (some
taking up pilot actions such as consensus building, some not),
complemented by participatory monitoring. Comparative analysis of changes
in performance and linkages of CBOs and factors underlying this, and of
changes in other stakeholder attitudes and interactions
Indicators
 No. of policy events where
CBOs/Federations are invited
Means of Verification
 Progress reports
 Event proceedings
Assumptions
 Government
recognizes
2:
Result
(2.1):
Result
(2.2):
adaptive learning processes
across communities and
between governance hierarchies
are incorporated in policies and
practices locally and nationally
in Bangladesh and Nepal, and
this informs policy responses to
climate change internationally.

Adaptive learning and
networking approach
demonstrated for strengthening
climate change adaptation and
innovation among CBOs and for
linking with stakeholders in comanagement and policy

Evidence based NR policy and
co-management dialogue at
national level underway with
greater role for communities









Main Activities aimed at Result (2.1)
No. of CBOs getting access to
forests and wetlands under comanagement arrangements
No. of new mechanisms (working
groups/task force) established for
effective adaptive learning processes
No. of international forums where policy
products are presented
No. of regional and global events where
CBO networks advocated climate
adaptive community management
No. of climate smart practices
shared
No. of CBOs practicing climate
smart practices
No. of CBOs reducing conflict on
NR
No. of events in which CBOs
interact with co-management and
policy stakeholders
No. of policy issues on which
CBOs/federations participated in
national or sub-national level
debates/dialogues
No. of policy dissemination events
organized
No. of policy products

MoUs signed under
co-management
arrangements
CBOs/networks
and
appreciates
their role in
policy process



Project
factsheets/Newslett
ers
Policy briefs
Assessments of
CBO performance
Progress reports
Meeting minutes
 No major
crisis in the
networks
 Positive
support from
other
stakeholders



Event reports
Progress reports
Policy products
Funds
available to
participate in
external
events


1. Facilitate improved adaptive learning process among and between CBOs in
Main Activities aimed at Result (2.2)
Bangladesh and Nepal, based on critical review of practices, lessons and
opportunities to date and considering climate change uncertainties. Carry out
annual cycles of review, coordinated planning, actions, and review relating to
adaptation and good governance. Also support network (SWRM and
FECOFUN) activities to strengthen consensus, manage local conflicts, and
strengthen dialogue with higher levels of co-management and policy
stakeholders. Draw lessons on process with CBOs and other stakeholders.
2. Test process enabling structured links and interactions between CBO
federations and NR co-management stakeholders at sub-national and
national levels through events, workshops and visits over last two years of
project, supported by reflective learning on this process to identify gaps
and outcomes with CBOs and other stakeholders, and develop strategy for
mainstreaming achievement
1 Prepare and consolidate evidence and findings from case studies,
application of adaptive learning and networking process and associated
innovations by CBO and policy analysis into seminar presentations, briefing
notes, peer reviewed papers and websites targeted at national and
international audiences
2 Share and present evidence and lessons generated with a wide range of
policy stakeholders nationally and internationally (CoCooN/CCMCC,
academia, NGOs, development partners, governments)
3. Capacity building
Narrative / Definition
Specific
Specific objective 3:To develop
objective
strong partnerships and
3:
collaborations between
researchers, development
practitioners and
Indicators
 Policy learning group established
 No. of organizations mainstreaming
links with CBOs or CBD federations
 No. of joint publications
 No. of CBOs and development
Means of Verification
 Progress reports
 Final assessment
reports
 Joint publications
Assumptions
 Conducive
environment
prevails for
partnership
and
Result
(3.1):
Result
(3.2):
Result
CBOs/grassroots organisations
based on mutual understanding
of learning-innovation processes
and knowledge related to conflict
management and comanagement of NR
Project team members and
organisations have enhanced
capacities in participatory
research, policy related
research, and understanding of
climate change implications
based on interdisciplinary
approaches, sharing of methods
and expertise
Networks of community
organisations (SWRM and
FECOFUN) are able to better
support members in overcoming
local conflicts (within CBOs and
with external threats), in
planning climate adapted /
resilient NR management, and in
presenting their lessons and
issues to higher tiers of comanagement and policy debate,
through use of appropriate tools
and knowledge.
Other stakeholders have










practitioners participating in each others
events
No. of community groups receiving
awards for innovations
collaboration
No. of trainings organized
No. of participants who received
training
No. of team members authoring
papers
No. of exchange visits


Training reports
Exposure visit
reports
 No major
turnover of
project team
members
No. of CBOs using conflict
management tools and/or improved
planning process
No. of CBOs getting support from
their federations
No. of CBO leaders trained in
presentation skills
No. of CBO leaders presenting their
issues in policy debates



Progress reports
Training reports
Event proceedings
 No major
threats to
CBOs/network
s
No. of stakeholders who participated in

Event proceedings
 Stakeholders
(3.3):
improved understanding of
community capacities and needs
for climate adapted consensus
based co-management
Main Activities aimed at Result (3.1)
Main Activities aimed at Result (3.2)
Main Activities aimed at Result (3.3)
the knowledge sharing events
are cooperative
 Progress reports
 No. of champions who raised community
management issues in public events
 No. of events where champions raised
community management issues
1 Identification of capacity gaps among team. Sharing of key lessons and
methods of analysis, research and facilitation between team members –
seminars/workshops, cross country visits, on the job training, including
capacity building of junior researchers in team and mentoring by senior
members of team), and support for formal training (short courses) where
appropriate for members of team.
1 Training and support to CBOs and their leaders to make use of relevant
tools/methods such as consensus building, Participatory Action Plan
Development methods to address types of threats and conflicts identified in
interim research results, good practices in community based adaptation
planning for NR management including indigenous knowledge, green value
addition planning, rural collection centres and multiple use water systems,
monitoring and assessing results of adaptive NR management (indicators,
reflective learning)
2 Support to help develop CBO network leaders’ capacity for presenting
evidence in different forums and interacting with and being recognised by a
wider set of practice and policy stakeholders at multiple levels of governance,
including training and advice to CBO network leaders on advocacy and legal
tools available.
1 Seminars and orientations for target stakeholders (government, NGOs) on
findings from research and tools and methods arising. From among
stakeholders, identify key potential champions for wider uptake and influence
using project outputs, and field visits, orientation and cross visits for these
champions for more intensive hands-on understanding