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Transboundary River Basin Management
Institutional and Public Participation Aspects,
Chisinau, 12 -13 May 2006
Practical Approaches to Public Participation in
River Basin Management
Nicole Kranz Ecologic - Institute for
International and European Environmental
Policy Berlin - Brussels
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Outline

• Experiences from international river basins
• the RhineNet approach
• a multi-level project
• Methodologies and inspiration
• the handbook on public participation
• planning for successful campaigns

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Countries in the Rhine basin The
Netherlands France Germany Switzerland Luxembourg
Belgium Austria Liechtenstein Italy Tributaries M
ain Meuse Moselle Neckar Aar
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Stakeholders of RhineNet

• RhineNet partners
• NGO, ministries, and research institutes
  (innovation)
• Interested to link-up their activities to reach a
  broader audience
• Exchange of ideas and approaches and learn from
  each other
• Target groups
• Authorities
• Different levels
• Benefit from best practices
• Broad public
• Awareness raising for the protection of intact
  river systems
• Capacity-building for active participation
• Comprises many different audience

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RhineNet Partners

• Ministry for Environment and Transport of
  Baden-Wurttemberg (D),
• Office International de l'Eau (F)
• Regiowasser e.V. (D)
• Reinwater Foundation (NL)
• Environment Agency of Karlsruhe City (D)
• Environment Ministry of Saarland (D)

• Solidarité Eau Europe (F) (initiator and
  coordinator)
• Naturlandstiftung Saar (D) (lead partner)
• Agglomeration Saarguemines Confluences (F)
• Federal Association of Citizens Initiatives for
  the Environment(D)
• Ecologic (D)
• European Rivers Network (F)
• Foundation Hëllef fir die Natur (L)

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Results

• What we achieved (2003 - 2006)
• In-depth study of participation in the Rhine area
• Information events and workshops in the basin
• Development of a methodological guide for public
  participation at the regional and local level
• Incorporation of the transboundary perspective
  into participation at the local level awareness
  raising
• Local level consultation about the future
  measures to be taken in the Rhine basin

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Basics

• Rhine Case Study
• Results
• Good basis for public participation - but not
  active involvement yet
• approaches need to be adapted to specfic
  situation
• alignment of international interests with needs
  on local level

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Basics

• Basic rules for public participation processes
• Open process...but not for everyone at all
  times...
• Transparency in all phases of implementation...
• Consideration of the different value systems of
  all stakeholders
• Clear process structure with defined goals
• Conflict management

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Rhine Case

• Aktivities of NGOs two examples
• Stichting Reinwater
• long-term campaigning for the protection of the
  Rhine
• training for selected actor groups (e.g. farmers)
  and the broad public
• Waternet NRW
• Network of relevant environmental organisations
  with the aim of co-ordinating activities
• Support of vonluntary activities

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Rhine Case

• Variety of methods
• Information
• Internet/flyers/information events/exhibitions/gui
  ded tours/activities
• Consultation
• Regional fora
• Ministerial advisory boards
• Round tables
• Planning games

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Rhine Case Study

• Participation on different levels
• River basin level International Commission for
  the Protection of the Rhine
• NGOs Participate in ministerial meeting, but
  have no voting right
• Submit positions regarding measures or programmes
• Regional Approaches
• fora and ministerial condultations at the
  regional level
• Local Approaches
• RhineNet

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Information

• Information Sessions
• Development of a model concept for information
  sessions
• Several sessions and workshops throughout the
  Rhine basin targeted at different audiences
• Development of an educational program about
  public participation
• Information of the interested public on WFD
  implementation

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Transboundary activities

• Rhine Bathing Day 2005
• Bathing in the Rhine...after a long period of
  pollution - celebrating the success of common
  efforts
• Information about water protection and the
  implementation of the WFD
• in Europe 250.000 Participants in 31 river basins

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Transboundary activities

• Rivers of images and streams of words
• Art and poetry programme for students (Age11-18)
• Exhibition on a ship on the Rhine of the Dutch
  Reinwater Foundation
• Direct interaction with schools and communities
  along the river

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Examples from the Rhine Net

• Exploratory Path at the Alb river
• Natura 2000 Protection area
• Connection of recreation an nature protection
• Information and education
• Dreisam River - Public Participation and
  Consultation
• Part of local agenda
• Information about Dreisam
• Round Table on Measures
• Result Management Plan

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Methodology

• Strategies for participation - questions to
  clarify
• Why should stakeholders participate in this
  specific matter?
• Who should be involved, when and to what extent?
• What are the most pressing issues to be
  addressed?
• What type of project organisation is necessary
  and who will be the owner/facilitator of the
  process?
• Which methods and tools will be used?

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How to involve the public?

• Planning cycle

I N I T I A T I O N
First problem identification
Evaluation
Stakeholder analysis
Implementation

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How to involve the public?

• Phase initiale
• 1. Stakeholder analysis
• 2. Context analysis

Preliminary list of stakeholders
Invitation of stakeholders
Elicit different problem preceptions of
stakeholders


Assess available resources of stakeholders
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How to involve the public?

• Actor analysis
• Analysis of the problem perception, interests,
  beliefs and the possible contribution
• Potential actor groups

Academic institutions
NGOs
Private sector
Local Agenda 21 Groups
Chefs informels
Government bodies
Cultural institutions
Natural resource management
Local and regional communities
Farmers
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How to involve the public?

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How to involve the public ?

• Overview of methods and tools
• Workshops and meetings
• vital element of PP
• need to be prepared carefully
• facilitation
• neutral convenors
• Training and education
• multiplicator effect
• important for awareness raising

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How to involve the public?

• Planning at the community level
• Identification of local needs
• Identification of available internal and external
  resources
• Establishment of a local group of elected
  memebers with clear roles and responsibilities
• Agreed local action plan
• Tools for information management
• Assistance for disseminating information
• Follow-up proccesses
• Tools based on infomation technologies (GIS et
  DSS)

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Lessons Learned

• Public participation is important at all levels
  of river basin management
• Different languages, different administrative
  approaches and cycles are a considerable barrier
• Preparation for participation training about
  methodologies
• Initiatives need to be geared to meet the demands
  of the target groups
• Requires that specific water culture in the basin
  is taken into account
• International river basins call for the linking
  of relevant actors between countries and regions

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Transferability of our Process Tools

• Opportunities
• Strong methodological basis
• Creative approaches geared to the target
  audience broad public
• Interlinked multi-level activities
• Step-by-step approach including methodological
  development as well as hands-on experience
• Constraints
• Long history of public involvement in the Rhine
  basin
• Democratic regimes and strong institutional
  background
• Open dialogue for a long time

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Questions to ask....

• What is the best way to apply this strategy in
  the Dniester basin?
• What are the best access points to start
  participatory activities?
• What are the most severe bottle necks?
• ....

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• Thank you very much for your attention....

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Transboundary River Basin Management
Institutional and Public Participation Aspects,
Chisinau, 12 -13 May 2006
Practical Approaches to Public Participation in
River Basin Management
Nicole Kranz Ecologic - Institute for
International and European Environmental
Policy Berlin - Brussels