A Framework for Community-based Governance in Grasslands and Savannahs of South America

Die folgenden Arbeiten folgen einem vergleichenden Ansatz zweier ausgewählter Gebiete Südamerikas, um die Komplexität der Governance-Prozesse zu strukturieren. Sie konzentriert sich auf das kolumbianische Llanos- und das paraguayische Pantanal-Gebiet und korreliert die räumliche Beziehung der von natürlichen Ressourcen abhängigen Gemeinden mit sozioökonomischen und ökologischen Veränderungen, Macht und hierarchischer Struktur auf allen Ebenen, politischer Dynamik und Programmen zur Einbindung von Stakeholdern. Die Hypothese hinter dieser Arbeit ist, dass die Verwendung einer geklärten, nicht-normativen Governance-Perspektive in der sozio-ökonomischen und politischen Forschung zu einem besseren Verständnis sozio-ökonomischer und politischer Prozesse beitragen kann, einschließlich formaler und informeller Prozesse, die in größere und kleinere soziale Systeme eingebettet sind, sowie sowohl vertikale als auch horizontale sozio-ökonomische und politische Arrangements. Über die Entwicklung eines spezifischen Rahmens für die CBG hinaus werden zwei praktische und methodische Instrumente generiert. Das Community-Based Governance Manual (CBGM), einschließlich einer Fallstudie über das kolumbianische Llanos, und die Guidelines to Strengthen CBGG in the Paraguayan Pantanal (CBGG) versuchen, die politische, wirtschaftliche und soziale Analyse von Gemeindeakteuren sowie Szenarien zur Bewältigung der sie betreffenden sozio-ökologischen und sozio-ökonomischen Probleme zu fördern. Der CBGM und der CBGG können als konkrete und greifbare Auswirkungen auf Feldebene sowie als gültige Prognosen für die erwartete zukünftige Entwicklung von lokalen und ökologischen Governance-Modellen angesehen werden.The following work develops the Community-Based Governance (CBG), a bottom-up organizational model, ought to increase the participation of local groups in the planning, research, development, management, and formulation of policies and strategies for the wider community. It follows a comparative approach of two selected areas of South America in order to structure the complexity of governance processes: the Colombian Llanos and the Paraguayan Pantanal, correlating the spatial relation of natural resource-dependent communities with socio-economic and environmental changes, along with power and hierarchical structure at all scales, political dynamics, and stakeholder engagement schemes. The hypothesis behind this work is that using a clarified, non-normative governance perspective in socio-economic and policy research can contribute to an improved understanding of socio-economic and political processes, including formal and informal ones, those embedded in larger and smaller social systems, as well as both vertical and horizontal socio-economic and political arrangements. Beyond the development of a specific framework for CBG, two practical and methodological tools are generated. The Community-Based Governance Manual (CBGM), including a case study of the Colombian Llanos, and the Guidelines to Strengthen CBG in the Paraguayan Pantanal (CBGG) seek to promote the political, economic, and social analysis of community actors as well as scenarios addressing the socio-environmental and socio-economic problems that affect them. CBGM and CBGG may be regarded as concrete and tangible impacts on the field, as well as valid outlooks on expected future development of local and environmental governance models

Mechanisms of Weak Governance in Grasslands and Wetlands of South America

Weak governance is a major threat to sustainable development, especially in rural contexts and within ecosystems of great social and economic value. To understand and compare its arrangement in the grasslands and wetlands of the Colombian Llanos and the Paraguayan Pantanal, we build upon the Institutional and Development Framework (IAD) as we explore the role of political, economic, and social institutions and combine components of the theory of common-pool resources (CPR) and new institutional economics (NIE). This hybrid conceptualization provides a synthesis of how top-down hierarchical and market-based systems of community-based and natural resource management negatively affect sustainable development in both study areas. Our findings suggest three underlying mechanisms causing a situation of weak governance: centralized (economic and political) power, the role of central and local governments, and social exclusion. Understanding these multidimensional contextual mechanisms improves the understanding that institutional structures supporting arrangements that handle grasslands and wetlands in a sustainable way are needed to protect the ecosystem’s social and economic values, especially in rural and marginalized contexts.Peer Reviewe

Community-Based Governance and Sustainability in the Paraguayan Pantanal

Themegadiverse biome of the Paraguayan Pantanal is in danger due to the expansion of cattle ranching and agricultural frontiers that threaten not only the fragile equilibrium of natural resources, but also that of local governance and cultural identities. As a consequence,weak governance stresses the relations between natural resource-dependent communities, generating socio-environmental conflicts. This perception study seeks to find community-based governance models for sustainability in the context of Paraguayanwetlands. According to the organizational principles of community-based natural resource management (CBNRM), we applied qualitative approaches with the use of the Governance Analytical Framework (GAF) to identify problems and social norms. Our findings suggest that the Yshiro indigenous self-organized group (Unión de las Comunidades Indígenas de la Nación Yshiro (UCINY)) can be considered as a model for community-based governance. Besides, we discovered that this specific governancemodel is highly threatened by the impact of the national neo-extractive economy.Peer Reviewe

Collective Perception of Anthropic and Extractive Interventions in the Colombian Llanos

Increasingly, the developmental model of anthropic and extractive interventions is a global concern. Its impacts are challenging not only the precarious equilibrium of natural resources but also the one of local communities and identities. The case of the Colombian Llanos shows how the local culture of the Cultura Llanera (CL) is deep-rooted with natural resources, their use and their management. Throughout the use of a survey based on the Governance Analytical Framework (GAF), this paper presents and discusses shared problems and social norms. The collective perception of local groups shows that the CL, in particular traditional livestock practices in flooded savannahs, is a key element for the sustainable development of the region. Furthermore, it reveals that agricultural and extractive activities, primarily rice and oil, are considered the main threats to both the ecosystem and the protection of the CL.Peer Reviewe

Friedensförderung in Zeiten von COVID-19: Risikoadaptierte Strategien von Kooperations- und Entwicklungsprojekten

National and international cooperation and development projects (CDP) are fundamental for peacebuilding. However, unforeseen global crises, like COVID-19, can endanger such projects, requiring rapid adaption. In Colombia, the coronavirus outbreak threatens to slow the implementation of peace-related projects, while simultaneously violence over control and ownership of land increases. Although the mid- to long-term consequences for peacebuilding are unknown, exploring risk-adapted strategies of national and international CDP can help identify crucial aspects for future processes and implementations. This study explores the key challenges and coping strategies of implementing agencies and stakeholders to COVID-19, thus helping to derive and improve risk-adapted strategies. After reviewing academic and grey literature, and implementing a semi-structured survey, peacebuilding risked-adapted strategies to COVID-19 are explored with respect to conflict-affected and vulnerable areas of Colombia. Findings show that increasing complexity rooted in top down governmental measures, the rise of new local power relations (e.g. armed groups, illicit activities), and social alienation are negatively affecting peacebuilding in Colombia. Future CDP risk adapted strategies should build on local interests and needs through public-private and environmental cooperation.Nationale und internationale Kooperations- und Entwicklungsprojekte (CDP) sind für die Friedensförderung von grundlegender Bedeutung. Unvorhergesehene globale Krisen, wie COVID-19, können solche Projekte jedoch gefährden und erfordern eine rasche Anpassung. In Kolumbien droht der Ausbruch des Coronavirus die Durchführung friedensbezogener Projekte zu verlangsamen, während gleichzeitig die Gewalt über die Kontrolle und den Besitz von Land zunimmt. Obwohl die mittel- bis langfristigen Folgen für die Friedenskonsolidierung unbekannt sind, kann die Untersuchung risikoangepasster Strategien des nationalen und internationalen CDP dazu beitragen, entscheidende Aspekte für künftige Prozesse und Implementierungen zu ermitteln. Diese Studie untersucht die Herausforderungen und Bewältigungsstrategien der Durchführungsorganisationen und Interessengruppen im Kontext von COVID-19, umso risikoangepasste Strategien abzuleiten und zu verbessern. Basierend auf Literaturrecherche und der Durchführung semi-strukturierter Interviews werden risikoangepasste Strategien der Friedensförderung für COVID-19 in unterschiedlichen Teilen Kolumbiens untersucht. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die zunehmende Komplexität, die in den Maßnahmen der Regierung von oben nach unten, dem Entstehen neuer lokaler Machtverhältnisse (z. B. bewaffnete Gruppen, illegale Aktivitäten) und in zunehmend sozialer Entfremdung wurzelt, die Friedensförderung in Kolumbien negativ beeinflusst. Künftige risikoangepasste Strategien des CDP sollten auf lokalen Interessen und Bedürfnissen durch öffentlich-private und umweltpolitische Zusammenarbeit aufbauen.Leibniz-Zentrum für Agrarlandschaftsforschung (ZALF) e.V. (3493)Peer Reviewe

Peacebuilding in rural Colombia— A collective perception of the integrated rural reform (IRR) in the department of Caquetá (Amazon)

The 2016 peace agreement between the Government of Colombia and the FARC-EP created institutional space for an effective implementation of needed rural reforms. However, the change of power structures also contains risks, like the deterioration of natural resources and the strengthening of other armed groups. By addressing collective perceptions regarding the Integrated Rural Reform (IRR), this paper shows the consequences of the peace agreement for the rural population in the department of Caquetá. Additionally, it presents the main challenges for further departmental development. The case study approach uses both semi-structured expert interviews of rural development stakeholders in different sectors based on three sampling strands, as well as participatory observation in the field. The main findings show an increase of general physical security and (economic) interest in the department since the signing of the agreement, while the deforestation rate, homicides, and threats against social-environmental leaders were all highly increased. The study also derives recommendations of departmental actors in rural development for a more effective peace implementation process, like the change from cattle driven to a more conservational economy with agri-silviculture and ecotourism, led by local civil society. To create a stable peace, it is crucial that the current government effectively implements the IRR, while also considering departmental perceptions of sustainable development. If the implementation process and departmental recognition is not enforced sufficiently, then peace might only be possible at the cost of the Amazon and its nature

Peacebuilding in times of COVID-19: risk-adapted strategies of cooperation and development projects

National and international cooperation and development projects (CDP) are fundamental for peacebuilding. However, unforeseen global crises, like COVID-19, can endanger such projects, requiring rapid adaption. In Colombia, the coronavirus outbreak threatens to slow the implementation of peace-related projects, while simultaneously violence over control and ownership of land increases. Although the mid- to long-term consequences for peacebuilding are unknown, exploring risk-adapted strategies of national and international CDP can help identify crucial aspects for future processes and implementations. This study explores the key challenges and coping strategies of implementing agencies and stakeholders to COVID-19, thus helping to derive and improve risk-adapted strategies. After reviewing academic and grey literature, and implementing a semi-structured survey, peacebuilding risked-adapted strategies to COVID-19 are explored with respect to conflict-affected and vulnerable areas of Colombia. Findings show that increasing complexity rooted in top down governmental measures, the rise of new local power relations (e.g. armed groups, illicit activities), and social alienation are negatively affecting peacebuilding in Colombia. Future CDP risk adapted strategies should build on local interests and needs through public-private and environmental cooperation

The risk of unintended deforestation from scaling sustainable livestock production systems

Silvopastoral systems (SPS)-production systems integrating trees, forages, and livestock within the same land area-are recognized as critical for reducing tropical deforestation and improving livelihoods, ecosystem services, and carbon sinks. Yet, research on how scaling SPS influences forest cover changes at large geographical scales is scant. Our study delves deeper into the interlinkages between scaling SPS and deforestation. In two surveys conducted among 144 Colombian Amazon livestock producers with traditional or SPS farms, we assessed changes in herd composition between 2016 and 2020. Results showed a change in herd composition, with fewer males and more cows/heifers, suggesting a shift toward specializing in milk production, which, with the appropriate environmental incentives and safeguards, would unlikely broaden deforestation. However, interlinkages between the dairy and beef value chains suggest that extra male cattle from SPS intensification would be moved for fattening as a source of beef to new pastures at the forest border. If SPS scaling interventions in the Colombian Amazon are to be truly deforestation-free, they need to be designed based on a clear understanding of the interlinkages between food and land systems. Therefore, policies advancing the livestock and land-use agenda must create mechanisms that support deforestation-free livestock intensification, based on biophysical and socioeconomic evaluations

Factores clave para el diseño e implementación de sistemas sostenibles de uso de la tierra para la reducción de la deforestación y la construcción de paz en Colombia

Esta nota de orientación sobre políticas proporciona una guía científicamente sólida para que los tomadores de decisiones ayuden a integrar las estrategias SSUT (sistemas de uso sostenible del suelo) en los instrumentos de política, con el fin de promover sinergias y encontrar equilibrios entre los múltiples objetivos como son: la consolidación de la paz, la agricultura sostenible y la mitigación del cambio climático

Key factors for effective design and implementation of sustainable land use systems to reduce deforestation and enhance peacebuilding in Colombia

This Policy Brief provides scientifically sound guidance for decision makers to help integrate SLUS strategies into policy instruments, in order to promote synergies and address trade-offs between multiple objectives related to climate change mitigation, sustainable agriculture and peacebuilding