269
• Social network analysis (SNA) was conducted to collect information on the key
organizations for knowledge exchange. Data were collected from participants
using a multistep process during the launch of district platforms in Nwoya
(n = 24) and Mbale (n = 21) in December 2015 and June 2016, respectively.
Participants were first asked to list all the institutions they represented, then all
the organizations with which they collaborated. Finally, from these lists of organizations, participants identified which they considered the most important for
knowledge exchange. Analysis of the data was undertaken using Gephi 0.9.1
software.
23.3 Results and Discussion
23.3.1 Establishment and Operation of the MSPs
The climate change MSPs were established between 2014 and 2015. In Tanzania
three were formed, one national and two subnational (in Lushoto and Kilolo districts). In Uganda five were established, one national and four subnational (in
Nwoya, Rakai, Luwero and Mbale districts). The subnational platforms influenced
district-level policymaking and informed the national platforms, which in turn influenced national policymaking through information-sharing with parliamentarians
and national ministries. Having both subnational and national organizations facilitated a bidirectional flow of information. This integrated approach is important
because, although the effects of climate change are felt locally and technologies
must be context-specific, change happens most effectively within an enabling
national policy environment.
While PACCA acted as the initiator of the platforms, funded some of their activities and remained a stakeholder member, the MSPs functioned largely as independent entities. The national platform in Uganda was hosted by the Climate Change
Department of the Ministry of Water and Environment, and the one in Tanzania by
the Environmental Management Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture Livestock and
Fisheries (MALF-EMU). In the districts, the platforms were hosted by the national
offices of environment and natural resources. Embedding the platforms within government structures provided those official bodies with convening power, a greater
sense of ownership over the process and, ultimately, offered the platforms a pathway to sustainability. Facilitation of meetings was entrusted to members of the
platform-hosting institutions who were recognized for their authority, their central
role in local knowledge exchange and their credibility among other stakeholders.
Participant observation and an examination of minute meetings revealed that the
platforms enabled their participants to share experiences and research findings on
climate change. The PACCA project, as a member of the MSPs, contributed to the
generation and dissemination of research findings on CSA and climate change
adaptation (specifically on-farm trade-off and synergies for CSA, drivers for
23 The Role of Multi-Stakeholder Platforms for Creating an Enabling Climate Change…
• Social network analysis (SNA) was conducted to collect information on the key
organizations for knowledge exchange. Data were collected from participants
using a multistep process during the launch of district platforms in Nwoya
(n = 24) and Mbale (n = 21) in December 2015 and June 2016, respectively.
Participants were first asked to list all the institutions they represented, then all
the organizations with which they collaborated. Finally, from these lists of organizations, participants identified which they considered the most important for
knowledge exchange. Analysis of the data was undertaken using Gephi 0.9.1
software.
23.3 Results and Discussion
23.3.1 Establishment and Operation of the MSPs
The climate change MSPs were established between 2014 and 2015. In Tanzania
three were formed, one national and two subnational (in Lushoto and Kilolo districts). In Uganda five were established, one national and four subnational (in
Nwoya, Rakai, Luwero and Mbale districts). The subnational platforms influenced
district-level policymaking and informed the national platforms, which in turn influenced national policymaking through information-sharing with parliamentarians
and national ministries. Having both subnational and national organizations facilitated a bidirectional flow of information. This integrated approach is important
because, although the effects of climate change are felt locally and technologies
must be context-specific, change happens most effectively within an enabling
national policy environment.
While PACCA acted as the initiator of the platforms, funded some of their activities and remained a stakeholder member, the MSPs functioned largely as independent entities. The national platform in Uganda was hosted by the Climate Change
Department of the Ministry of Water and Environment, and the one in Tanzania by
the Environmental Management Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture Livestock and
Fisheries (MALF-EMU). In the districts, the platforms were hosted by the national
offices of environment and natural resources. Embedding the platforms within government structures provided those official bodies with convening power, a greater
sense of ownership over the process and, ultimately, offered the platforms a pathway to sustainability. Facilitation of meetings was entrusted to members of the
platform-hosting institutions who were recognized for their authority, their central
role in local knowledge exchange and their credibility among other stakeholders.
Participant observation and an examination of minute meetings revealed that the
platforms enabled their participants to share experiences and research findings on
climate change. The PACCA project, as a member of the MSPs, contributed to the
generation and dissemination of research findings on CSA and climate change
adaptation (specifically on-farm trade-off and synergies for CSA, drivers for
23 The Role of Multi-Stakeholder Platforms for Creating an Enabling Climate Change…