Stakeholder Analysis in the Caspian and Caucasus

Mary M. Matthews, Ph.D.Innovatia Consulting, Inc.

Overview of questions:

What is a Stakeholder Analysis? What methodology is used? What difficulties were encountered? What solutions were found? What is the usefulness of the analysis? What are the advantages for IWRM? What are the lessons learned from the

Caspian Environment Programme? Stakeholder Analysis revisited

What is Stakeholder Analysis?

Who are stakeholders?– Anyone with an interest, a “stake” in the

conditions being addressed by the project– Including anyone impacted by and impacting

these conditions

What is the objective of the SHA?– To identify the stakeholder groups– To gauge their perceptions, interests and

priorities– To identify areas of tension between groups

What methodology is used?

Literature review Qualitative/ground truthing Survey development and administration Database creation Statistical analysis, using mean and standard

deviation among SHGs Identify areas of conflict between SHGs Make suggestions for overcoming conflicts/tensions

both active and emergent Compare over time, using same questions

Difficulties encountered?Solutions found?

1. Lack of responsiveness from some sectors

2. Not enough surveys to be “statistically valid” by social science criteria

1. More aggressive survey distribution, personal appeals with assurance of confidentiality

2. Unfortunate, but due to low budgets unavoidable. Remember there is room for error, but this is better than nothing and can be quite informative.

• Subsequent projects include mechanisms for stakeholder input throughout the TDA/SAP process span to provide feedback to the project through Stakeholder Advisory Groups(Create venues for stakeholder communications)

Usefulness of Analysis?

Can identify the actual concerns among stakeholders

Can provide a check on the experts in terms of top priority problems and perceptions

Can allow projects to take steps to avoid future problems with the creation of win-win solutions

CEP Example:

CEP: Priorities of Stakeholder GroupsStakeholder group Fisheries Biodiversity

Invasive species Pollution

SustainableDevelopment Civil Society

All Stakeholders/ all respondents ( # priority) # 3 # 2 # 5 # 1 # 4 # 6

National NGO            

Nature Preserve Staff            

Coastal Zone Resident            

Public Healthcare Provider            

Educator/ Student            

Farmer / Water User            

Pastoralist/Animal Husbandry            

National or Local NGO            

Coastal Recreation Industry            

Community Based Organization            

Fishermen            

Fisheries Enforcement/ Border Guards            

Fishing Product Sales - National            

Fisheries Consumer and Value added consumers            

State Owned Industry            

Private Industry            

Oil Company Representatives            

National Press            

Advantages for IWRM?

Provides a systematic view of complex issues with multiple stakeholder groups

Allows solutions to be devised that focus on the high priority concerns of those impacting and impacted by IWRM

Provides a baseline of analysis for future impacts of project, and informs how effectively the project is reaching it’s objectives

Lessons Learned for Caspian Environment Programme:

Importance of inclusion of multiple stakeholder input in TDA processes and project direction through SAP

Ability to monitor trends over project timeframe Ability to gauge where public participation and

stakeholder involvement is useful and appropriate, and is having an impact

Provides feedback and direction for the development of the public participation strategy

Serves as a case study for future projects in the region

Stakeholder Analysis Revisited

Can assist in the identification of involved groups

Can assist in the identification of potential areas of conflict and suggest measures to avoid these conflicts for better programme effectiveness

Provides a baseline of social data for future comparison, and project adjustment as needed