DESIGNING PROJECTS IN A RAPIDLY CHANGING WORLD

3.2 MULTI-STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND GOVERNANCE
(ENGAGEMENT AND GOVERNANCE)
RAPTA PROCESS
1. Scoping
4. System
Description
2. Engagement &
Governance
3. Theory of
Change
6. Options &
Pathways
5. System
Assessment
ENGAGEMENT AND
GOVERNANCE
Step 1 Explore the range of
approaches, and identify those
relevant for your project
Step 2 Conduct stakeholder analysis
Step 3 Establish or review project
governance arrangements
Step 4 Consider the requirements for
dialogue, and role and level of
skills required of the facilitator
Step 5 Develop or revise multistakeholder
engagement plan
for each RAPTA component
7. Learning
Figure 7 Steps of the Multi-Stakeholder Engagement and Governance component
3.2.1 Purpose of Engagement and
Governance
Multi-Stakeholder Engagement and Governance
(also known simply as Engagement and Governance)
provides a process for ethically and transparently
getting the right people involved, in the right way,
at the right time. This is a requirement for most
development projects, but there are aspects of standard
practice that may need to be adjusted in order
to support RAPTA.
Effective multi-stakeholder engagement and governance
is critical to the development of locally
appropriate interventions, their acceptance by
stakeholders and effective implementation, because
it brings together the diverse knowledge held by
stakeholders, governments and funders. It also
builds a shared understanding of the many views
about problems and solutions, and establishes
roles, responsibilities and accountabilities. Dialogue
may need to be supported by facilitators who are
experienced in resilience, adaptation and systems
analysis. All of these aspects are emphasized in
RAPTA because the nature of working across scales
and sectors increases the chances that power and
knowledge differences exist and that more complicated
ethical considerations may arise. These
aspects are especially important where the project is
focussed towards the “transforming the system” end
of the spectrum.
3.2.2 Use in phases of the project cycle
Engagement and Governance is essential in all
phases of the project cycle and is an ongoing element
throughout the RAPTA process. It begins early
in a pass through RAPTA, and is strengthened and
modified in subsequent project phases. In the project
identification phase it is likely to involve a small
number of stakeholders. The number and range of
stakeholders will be much greater and more comprehensive
in the design and implementation phases.
RAPTA guidelines for project design 43