WS2 evaluation of synthesis and arguments framework with stakeholder recommendations

Abstract

Stakeholder consultation and involvement remain central to BESAFE’s success. The BESAFE project organised its second stakeholder workshop in Brussels on 13 and 14 May 2014. Building upon the feedback obtained from stakeholders at the first workshop (reported in D2.2), the central aim of this second workshop was to consult with stakeholders to obtain their further opinions and suggestions about how the synthesis of results and the development of the arguments framework can be best tailored for practical application and ease of access by a wide variety of future users. Accordingly, BESAFE partners gave presentations on the initial results from the case studies and the effectiveness of arguments (WP2), an overview of arguments surrounding the European Biodiversity Strategy at EU and Member State levels (WP3), links between biodiversity and ecosystem services (WP4) and design and content of the synthesis tool kit and web tool (WP5). Stakeholders were asked to comment and make suggestions during break-out group, plenary and round table discussions. Resulting important recommendations, that also take account of additional comments from the project Advisory Board, include: • Design of the toolkit and the briefs that it comprises should put emphasis on the arguments involved, on how they are used, and on their effectiveness in different situations, in keeping with the overall focus of BESAFE. • The information should be presented in a style and format that will maximise knowledge transfer to a variety of audiences. • The web tool should be designed to be user-friendly for a range of stakeholder types to enable them to access appropriate information efficiently. • A clear strategy should be developed for the afterlife of the project results – a “bequeathing strategy” to ensure longevity of the toolkit and web tool beyond the end of the project. • There was some reiteration of recommendations made at the first workshop (see BESAFE Deliverable 2.2), particularly that language and contextual framing should be tailored to the different user groups, and that the overall framework of project outputs should focus on the use of arguments and combinations of arguments in practical situations. The stakeholders welcomed and accepted the invitation to assist with the further development of the toolkit and web tool through opportunities for consultation and contribution during the final phase of the project (including, but not limited to, the final stakeholder workshop)