A 'Theory of Change' for community-inclusive coastal-marine governance: An African perspective

Theories of Change refer to both a process and outcome of why and how the world and people change. A lack of success in implementing community-based conservation (CBC) initiatives may be due to a lack of understanding of the... [ view full abstract ]

Theories of Change refer to both a process and outcome of why and how the world and people change. A lack of success in implementing community-based conservation (CBC) initiatives may be due to a lack of understanding of the complexity of – and the conditions under which – social and institutional change occurs. Central determinants of a shift to behaviour-compelled-into-action – though embedded within unique social, economic, political, and ecological contexts – include the stimulus for change, the sense of community ownership, the management of local priorities, and power. As CBC approaches are thought to have developed as a reaction to the suggested failures of centralised and exclusionary conservation approaches – focused primarily on ecological outcomes – and a growing realisation of the importance of social factors and impacts, CBC presents a viable conservation alternative in many (but not all) contexts. However, a greater understanding of how to bring about a shift toward more community-inclusive coastal-marine governance is required. Research undertaken in Madagascar, and Guinea-Bissau sought to highlight the enabling/ constraining factors and conditions which affect this shift. Thereafter, a CBC Theory of Change is proposed with both regional and global relevance.