Multi-actor engagement : Essential Readings

  • Capacity.org Issue 41 (December 2010) Facilitating multi-actor change

    Issue 41 of Capacity.org journal (December 2010) focused on the capacities needed to strengthen multi-stakeholder processes. Noting that this requires a paradigm shift in the conventional intervention logic and repertoire, the lead article by a group of advisers working with the SNV-Netherlands Development Organisation drew on recent experience to demonstrate how working with multi-actor systems enhanced development results and innovation by strengthening the "collective ability of the multi-actor system to understand, discuss, act, change and develop itself." To see all the articles, please visit the Journal section of this website.

  • Jim Woodhill (2010) Capacity lives between multiple stakeholders, in Ubels, J., N. Acquaye-Baddoo and A. Fowler (eds), Capacity Development in Practice, Earthscan, pp. 25-41

    Be it water out of a new tap or the practice of good governance, development is the product of relationships between stakeholders. Capacity exists not only within but also between them. Capacity and its development are therefore 'relational'. This text by Jim Woodhill introduces multi-actor dimensions of capacity. He discusses features of the actors that are commonly found in aided development and then explores dimensions of working with relations between them. The chapter introduces and interesting model of three types of 'relating', then provides the reader with principles and approaches that can be applied to make engagement between multiple stakeholders more effective. 

  • Duncan Mwesige (2010) "Using Multi-Stakeholder Processes for Capacity Development in an Agricultural Value Chain in Uganda" in: Ubels, J., N. Acquaye-Baddoo and A. Fowler (eds) Capacity Development in Practice, Earthscan, pp. 180-193

    Understanding and developing value chains is receiving more attention as a systems-based approach for accelerating and scaling-up development processes. By their nature, value chains involve and connect multiple actors. A value chain approach is,
    additionally, applicable across economic as well as social domains.This case describes a capacity-development intervention in an agricultural value chain in Uganda, showing how particular multistakeholder processes were pivotal in helping chain-connected actors to develop new forms of cooperation that strongly improved efficiency, trust and propoor results at many levels. The practitioner will also find a number of practical lessons on the application of MSP methodologies.

  • “Multi-Stakeholder Processes for Governance and Sustainability: Beyond Deadlock and Conflict”, by Minu Hemmati, 2002 EarthScan

    Multi-stakeholder processes (MSPs) bring together all those whose interests are at stake in crucial social, economic, developmental and environmental debates. This practical guide explains how MSPs can be organized to deliver their potential for successful resolution of complex issues and for sustainable forms of development. It includes detailed examples and provides functional checklists, explaining how to get beyond adversarial politics and achieve positive results. This book makes a significant contribution to understanding new participatory approaches and provides  essential reading for, governmental agencies and NGOs, as well as students and academics in politics, development studies and environmental sciences.  NB: The full text is not available for download but may be purchased online, or requested via the author's website .

  • Pruitt, B. and P. Thomas (2007) Democratic Dialogue: A Handbook for practiitoners, CIDA/IDEA/OAS/UNDP, Washington DC

    More than a compilation of techniques, the Handbook provides the reader with a ‘how to’ guide to organize a tailor-made dialogue from assessment to evaluation. It combines conceptual and practical knowledge, while providing practitioners with an extensive repertoire of relevant tools, experiences and approaches adapted to the issue at stake, the local context and the stakeholders involved.