Stakeholder power, influence, and benefits in the Sundarbans Resilience Project
In the Sundarbans Resilience Project, government agencies and international donors have the most influence because they control funding, policies, and major decisions. Local coastal communities, especially women and marginalized groups, benefit the most as the project improves livelihoods, safety, infrastructure, and ecosystem protection, but they have limited decision making power. NGOs support the project by working closely with communities, while researchers provide data and technical knowledge. Government bodies and donors provide resources and authority, and communities depend most on the project for their survival. There is a clear power imbalance, as vulnerable groups are often underrepresented. Power and influence were judged based on control over resources, decision-making authority, and dependence on project outcomes.