Community-Based Monitoring Initiatives of Water and Environment: Evaluation of Establishment Dynamics and Results

Citizen participation in water and environmental management through community-based monitoring (CBM) is praised for its potential to facilitate better decision-making. However, research is limited in conceptualizing and evaluating the dynamics that enable or hinder CBMs from delivering on their potential. This research developed the CPI Framework to conceptualize CBMs and tested it in two real-life CBMs during an EU-funded project. The first CBM, Grip op Water Altena, focuses on pluvial floods in the Netherlands, while the second CBM, Maasai Mara Citizen Observatory, aims to contribute to biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihood management in Kenya.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 232 pages
\n Publication date: 16 November 2020
\n Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd
\n

Citizen participation in water and environmental management through community-based monitoring (CBM) has garnered significant praise for its potential to enhance decision-making processes by fostering better-informed, more inclusive, transparent, and representative outcomes. Nonetheless, the methodological and empirical research aimed at conceptualizing and evaluating the dynamics that enable or hinder these initiatives from fully realizing their potential remains limited. To address this gap, this research made valuable contributions to the field of CBMs by developing the Conceptual Framework for Process Evaluation and Impact Assessment of CBMs (CPI Framework). This framework serves as a valuable tool for conducting context analysis, process evaluation, and impact assessment of CBMs.

The conceptualization provided by the CPI Framework offers an interpretation of what "community" means within the context of a CBM initiative. It sheds light on the diverse stakeholders involved, their roles, and the relationships that shape the initiative. By incorporating this conceptualization, CBMs can be better understood and evaluated, ensuring that they align with the specific needs and aspirations of the communities they serve.

Furthermore, this research extended the existing empirical knowledge on CBMs by applying the CPI Framework to study two real-life CBMs throughout the lifespan of an EU-funded project called Ground Truth 2.0. The first CBM, known as Grip op Water Altena, focuses on addressing pluvial floods in the Land van Heusden en Altena region of the Netherlands. The second CBM, the Maasai Mara Citizen Observatory, aims to contribute to a better balance between biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihood management in the Mara ecosystem in Kenya.

By testing the CPI Framework on these two CBMs, the research sought to validate its applicability and effectiveness in capturing the key aspects and outcomes of CBMs. The findings from this study provide valuable insights into the establishment, functioning, and outcomes of CBMs, contributing to the body of knowledge in this field.

In conclusion, citizen participation in water and environmental management via community-based monitoring holds immense potential for improving decision-making processes and achieving more sustainable outcomes. The development of the CPI Framework provides a valuable framework for conceptualizing, evaluating, and understanding CBMs, enabling researchers and practitioners to maximize their potential and contribute to the betterment of our water and environmental resources.

\n Weight: 432g\n
Dimension: 169 x 476 x 20 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780367674014\n \n