Evaluation of IDRC's contribution to building leading organisations final report

The International Development Research Centre (IDRC), a Canadian Crown corporation, commissioned this cross-program evaluation to understand if, how and to what extent its strategies and support have contributed to building leading Research-for-Development (R4D) organisations. The evaluation had a threefold intent: a) to identify results and contributions to building leading organisations, b) to assess aspects that demonstrate the contribution and sustainability of these investments, and c) to inform IDRC’s reflections on how to support the building of leading organisations. A set of evaluation questions was agreed upon to reflect these priorities

Independent Evaluation of Green Climate Fund’s Investment Framework

This evaluation of the GCF Investment Framework assesses the overall relevance and effectiveness of the Investment Framework in the context of the GCF’s efforts towards climate change mitigation and adaptation. Overall, the evaluation examines how effective and fit-for-purpose the GCF Investment Framework is in fulfilling strategic goals and mandate. It assesses the coherence and complementarity of the GCF Investment Framework internally with other GCF internal policies, and externally with the country-level climate change strategies and action plans. It also assesses and analyse the efficiency, effectiveness, coherence and complementarity of the GCF Investment Framework with regard to funding proposals, projects and programmes. In addition, it reviews alignment with wider results and risk management frameworks

Governance and justice program evaluation

This detailed evaluation of the Governance and Justice (GJ) Program (formerly Governance, Security and Justice - GSJ) takes stock of progress in programme delivery and reflects on potential modifications, both programmatically and institutionally, that can be brought to the GJ Program design going forward. The evaluation found that the GJ Program has been highly effective in producing key outputs. Project innovations are well positioned for use, with cohort-based projects more relevant to communities, policymakers, NGOs and the private sector. Standalone projects seem more geared to the academic community. GJ funded projects have also successfully engaged in policy dialogue and decision-making processes

A framework for analyzing institutional gaps in natural resource governance

In this paper we present the Inter-Institutional Gap(IIG) Framework as a novel approach to conceptualizing the often-overlooked interconnectivity of different rule-levels between formal and informal institutions in a resource system. This framework goes beyond the existing concepts of legal pluralism, institutional void, structural hole, and cultural mismatch, each of which offer valuable insights to particular gaps between formal and informal institutions, but do not sufficiently address the interaction at every rule level (i.e. constitutional choice, collective choice and operational choice rules). In order to demonstrate the potential of our framework for better understanding the underlying causes of inter-institutional gaps, we apply it to four case studies that encompass diverse geographical locations, governance scales, and social-ecological systems. Results reveal inter-institutional gaps can be created when there are unintended, unforeseen or hidden gaps between different rule hierarchies in two or more simultaneously operating institutions. More specifically we observe that: i) inter-institutional gaps are co-existing, therefore if a certain gap is identified, other gaps may be expected; ii) certain gaps may reveal latent gaps; and iii) intermediaries may be key to addressing inter-institutional gaps. In many cases, sustainable natural resource management and regulation cannot be achieved without directly addressing the inter-institutional gaps that exist between formal and informal institutions operating in the same resource system. The Framework facilitates analysis and understanding of multi-level governance structures in pursuit of addressing complex natural resource management issues

Quantity does not always mean quality: the importance of qualitative social science in conservation research

Qualitative methods are important in gaining a deep understanding of complex problems and poorly researched areas. They can be particularly useful to help explain underlying conservation problems, as in Rust et al. (2016). However, the significance in choosing and justifying appropriate methodological frameworks in conservation studies should be given more attention to ensure data are collected and analysed appropriately. We thank Potgieter et al. (2017) for their critical analysis of Rust et al. (2016), but they appear unaware of when, why and how such methods should be used. We clarify the methods described in Rust et al. (2016) and explain sampling strategies in qualitative studies. To improve familiarity with qualitative methods among natural scientists we recommend expanded training in social sciences and collaborating with social scientists. Given the scale of human impacts on the environment, this type of nuanced analytical skill is critical for moving conservation forward

Understanding the social dimensions of tiger conservation in India

Tiger conservation represents many of the challenges facing biodiversity conservation internationally. It requires the protection of a potentially-dangerous predator in forested ecosystems, which are also utilized by some of the poorest human populations for survival and livelihoods. In such contexts, establishing exclusive protected areas for tiger conservation can antagonize local stakeholders, yet their support is crucial to successfully managing the protected areas. This thesis presents exploratory research into the social dimensions of tiger conservation in India, and ultimately informs policy and management of biodiversity conservation in a variety of contexts.Conservation policy and management is known to be affected by the viewpoints of professionals, often realized through advocacy coalitions. A quantitative study combining the Q-Method with a traditional survey of conservation professionals in India revealed five dominant viewpoints of tiger conservation: 1) community-centered; 2) tiger-centered; 3) science and tourism-led; 4) instrumental approach; and 5) moral-centred. The results offer insight on areas where conservation professionals agree, and may help to frame more effective tiger conservation policy discourse in India. Focussing on Corbett Tiger Reserve, India, a qualitative study explores the socio-political process through which local stakeholders articulate their concerns regarding tiger conservation, in order to elicit desired reactions from park management. The results provide insight to the local-level socio-political processes which make tiger conservation outcomes susceptible to local pressures.A quantitative assessment of the social capital that exists within three villages located around Corbett Tiger Reserve offers important insights on the ways in which social capital is affected by tiger conservation, and the extent to which this can affect the potential for collective action for, or against, tiger conservation objectives.A qualitative study into the social and ecological impacts associated with intensive wildlife tourism on a village bordering Corbett Tiger Reserve sheds light on the linkages between the ecological, socio-economic and institutional aspects affecting tiger conservation objectives. Rapid and unplanned tourism expansion has created financial disparity among the village residents, affecting their solidarity and creating perverse challenges for village institutions seeking to reduce conflict, highlighting the local-level complexity of tiger conservation.This research considers the politics, policy and practice of tiger conservation in India. The results will be useful in both administering short-term solutions within the existing policy framework, and in devising long-term trajectories for tiger conservation policy and management in India. The results may also assist policy makers to frame more appropriate conservation policies, by better projecting the potential socio-political implications of tiger conservation.La conservation du tigre présente de nombreux défis qui sont ceux de la conservation de la biodiversité au niveau international. Elle exige la protection d'un prédateur potentiellement dangereux dans des écosystèmes forestiers, qui sont également utilisés par certaines des populations les plus pauvres pour leur survie et leurs moyens de subsistance. Dans de tels contextes, l'établissement de zones protégées exclusives pour la conservation du tigre peut contrarier les parties prenantes locales. Néanmoins leur soutien est crucial pour réussir à gérer ces zones protégées. Cette thèse présente une recherche exploratoire sur les dimensions sociales de la conservation du tigre en Inde, puis illustre comment les prendre en comptes dans la politique et la gestion de la conservation de la biodiversité dans une variété de contextes. La politique de conservation et de gestion souvent réalisée par des coalitions de plaidoyer est connue pour être affectée par les points de vue des professionnels. Une étude quantitative, combinant la Q-Méthode avec une enquête traditionnelle de professionnels de la conservation en Inde, a révélé cinq points de vue dominants concernant la conservation du tigre: 1) centrée sur la communauté, 2) centré sur le tigre, 3) dirigé par la science et le tourisme, 4) approche instrumentale; et 5) centrée sur la morale. Les résultats permettent de comprendre les aspects sur lesquels s'accordent les professionnels de la conservation, et peuvent ainsi aider à encadrer davantage le discours d'une politique efficace de conservation du tigre en Inde.En prenant l'exemple de Corbett Tiger Reserve en Inde, une étude qualitative explore le processus socio-politique par lequel les parties prenantes locales exprime leurs préoccupations en ce qui concerne la conservation du tigre, afin de susciter les réactions souhaitées dans la gestion du parc. Les résultats permettent de saisir des processus socio-politiques au niveau local qui rendent les résultats de la conservation du tigre sensibles aux pressions locales.Une évaluation quantitative du capital social qui existe dans les trois villages situés autour de Corbett Tiger Reserve offre des renseignements importants sur la manière dont le capital social est affecté par la conservation du tigre, et dans quelle mesure cela peut affecter le potentiel de l'action collective en faveur ou contre les objectifs de conservation du tigre.Une étude qualitative sur les impacts sociaux et écologiques associés au tourisme intensif de la faune sur un village bordant Corbett Tiger Reserve met en lumière les liens entre les aspects écologiques, socio-économiques et institutionnels affectant les objectifs de conservation du tigre. L'expansion du tourisme rapide et non planifiée a créé une disparité financière entre les habitants du village qui affecte leur solidarité et engendre des défis pervers pour les institutions villageoises qui cherchent à réduire les conflits, soulignant la complexité au niveau local de la conservation du tigre.Cette recherche examine la politique et la pratique de la conservation du tigre en Inde. Les résultats seront utiles à la fois pour la mise en œuvre de solutions à court terme dans le cadre de la politique existante, et pour concevoir des trajectoires à long terme concernant la politique de conservation et de gestion du tigre en Inde. Les résultats peuvent aussi aider les décideurs à élaborer des politiques de conservation plus appropriées, par une meilleure prise en compte des potentielles implications socio-politiques dans la conservation du tigre

Interagency Trust and Communication in the Transboundary Governance of Pacific Salmon Fisheries

The transboundary governance of Pacific salmon fisheries requires interactions between institutions that can enable collective action, collaboration, and continuous learning. However, relatively little is known concerning how civil servants in different institutions and jurisdictions interact with each other within transboundary policy settings. In this paper, we explore the interactions of civil servants from agencies in five jurisdictions: United States (federal), Canada (federal), British Columbia, Yukon, and Alaska, to assess the extent to which they interact within the Pacific salmon policy network and also the social capital (i.e., formal and informal communication and trust) present among these working relationships. Our results reveal patchy patterns of interagency communication, and relatively low levels of interagency trust between jurisdictions, suggesting the potential for improved collaboration on Pacific salmon governance. Our analysis also revealed that the binational Pacific Salmon Commission had the highest levels of trust within the network, suggesting it is likely well placed to foster collaboration

Intergenerational Dialogue, Collaboration, Learning, and Decision-Making in Global Environmental Governance: The Case of the IUCN Intergenerational Partnership for Sustainability

This article provides evidence and a rationale based on adaptive governance studies for why creating meaningful youth engagement should be understood in terms of intergenerational dialogue, collaboration, learning, and substantive decision-making in global environmental governance. We have centered our discussion on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), as the largest global conservation organization. Through an organizational ethnography approach, we have demonstrated how generational concerns within the IUCN have been framed in terms of participation, and then present the IUCN Intergenerational Partnership for Sustainability (IPS) as a case study of a grassroots movement that is focused on transforming the IUCN towards being a fully intergenerational global governance system for nature conservation. We have described the development of intergenerational thinking and action within the IUCN, and discussed intergenerational governance as being essential for addressing nature conservation challenges faced by local communities in times of increasing global uncertainty. We conclude by providing recommendations for enhancing intergenerational dialogue and building intergenerational governance structures within global conservation organizations