ACCESS4ALL Group

After identifying and mapping stakeholders based on their power and influence, I compared my analysis with the provided reference framework. This comparison helped clarify how authority, resources, and decision making capacity shape climate adaptation project outcomes.

Who holds the most influence and who benefits the most

Government agencies hold the highest level of influence in the project. They control policy approval, funding allocation, regulatory frameworks, and long term planning decisions. Their influence is institutional and structural, which allows them to shape project direction from design to implementation.

Local communities are the primary beneficiaries of the project outcomes. While they may have lower formal power, they directly benefit through improved resilience, safer livelihoods, better infrastructure, and reduced climate risks. In some cases, NGOs and researchers also benefit through capacity building, data generation, and project visibility.

Stakeholder roles, benefits, and influence

Government agencies play a leadership and coordination role. They provide policy guidance, approve interventions, and integrate the project into national or regional adaptation strategies. Their influence is high, and their benefits include strengthened governance capacity and achievement of development goals.

NGOs act as facilitators and implementers. They bridge the gap between policy and community needs, provide technical support, and often manage on the ground activities. Their influence is medium to high depending on funding and partnerships. They benefit through increased credibility, experience, and donor trust.

Local communities are implementers and end users. They contribute local knowledge, labor, and day to day management of adaptation measures. Their influence is generally low to medium, but their dependence on the project is very high because their livelihoods and safety are directly affected.

Researchers and academic institutions contribute data, risk assessments, and monitoring tools. Their influence is mostly technical rather than political. They benefit through research outputs, policy relevance, and practical application of their work.

Contribution and dependence among groups

Government agencies depend on researchers for evidence based decision making and on NGOs for effective implementation. NGOs depend on government approval and community trust. Local communities depend on all other stakeholders for resources, knowledge, and institutional support, while also contributing critical contextual insights that determine project success.

This interdependence shows that no single group can succeed alone, even if power is unevenly distributed.

Power imbalances and overlooked voices

A key power imbalance exists between government institutions and local communities. Community voices, especially those of women, youth, and marginalized groups, are often underrepresented in decision making processes. This can lead to adaptation solutions that are technically sound but socially misaligned.

If these voices are overlooked, project ownership and long term sustainability may be weakened. Inclusive participation is therefore not only ethical but strategic.

How power and influence were determined

Power and influence were assessed based on access to resources, decision making authority, control over information, and ability to shape project outcomes. Stakeholders with formal authority and financial control ranked higher in influence, while those with lived experience but limited institutional voice ranked lower despite high exposure to climate risks.