Stakeholder Engagement Guide For Nature-Based Solutions

Effective stakeholder engagement is paramount to the long-term success of any nature-based solutions (NBS) project. Drawing from a range of expert sources, this guide offers accessible and clear guidelines for broad stakeholder engagement, highlighting the diverse global contexts of NBS and identifying key principles and practical steps for incorporating stakeholders into projects. This guide aims to promote inclusive, equitable and even reciprocal relationships for the benefit of both the organizations investing in NBS and the stakeholders and communities who have a role to play or are impacted by an NBS project. This guide can be used to support greater community buy-in for NBS projects, the integration of local knowledge into all stages of an NBS project and organizational efforts to operate from a human rights-based approach, as well as enable local communities potentially most impacted by an NBS project to be part of the decision-making process. This inclusion and integration can afford NBS projects a greater chance of success and sustainability.

This guide takes a pragmatic approach to stakeholder engagement by presenting general principles and best practices that should be considered throughout all stages of an NBS project, as well as outlining specific steps for incorporating stakeholder engagement throughout NBS project stages. The identified principles and best practices include engaging a diverse range of stakeholders; building long-term relationships and trust; communicating with empathy; prioritizing transparency and accountability; co-creating rather than imposing; recognizing mutual benefits; removing barriers to engagement; formalizing relationships; ensuring adequate financial support; and appointing well-trained, knowledgeable facilitators.

NBS project stages, and subsequent steps for stakeholder engagement, are outlined on the next page. Note that each NBS project is unique, with varying locations, activities, and involved players. Even though the guide is structured around specific NBS project stages and steps, the way that a specific project carries forward stakeholder engagement is likely to vary.