Discussion Forum Response: Stakeholder Power, Influence, and Equity in the Sundarbans Resilience Project (SRP)
Who holds the most influence, and who benefits the most from the project’s outcomes?
Based on the stakeholder mapping and comparison with the reference framework, the Government of Bangladesh (particularly the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Forest Department) and international donors hold the most influence. They control funding, regulatory authority, and strategic direction, which gives them high power over project design and implementation.
However, the stakeholders who benefit the most from the project’s outcomes are local coastal communities, especially forest-dependent households, fisherfolk, and women. They experience reduced exposure to cyclones and storm surges, improved livelihood opportunities, and enhanced long-term resilience through ecosystem restoration.
This reflects a common pattern in climate adaptation projects: decision-making power is concentrated at higher institutional levels, while benefits are realized most strongly at the community level.
Stakeholder roles, benefits, and levels of influence
Government agenciesRole: Policy formulation, regulation, forest management, disaster preparednessBenefits: Reduced disaster losses, environmental protection, national climate commitmentsInfluence: High
International donorsRole: Financing, strategic oversight, accountability frameworksBenefits: Achievement of climate finance and adaptation objectivesInfluence: High
NGOs and civil society organizationsRole: Community engagement, technical support, livelihood programsBenefits: Programmatic success, strengthened local capacityInfluence: Medium
Local communities (including women’s groups)Role: Implementation support, local knowledge, ecosystem stewardshipBenefits: Improved safety, livelihoods, empowerment, food securityInfluence: Low to medium
Researchers and universitiesRole: Ecological monitoring, data generation, technical adviceBenefits: Research outputs, applied knowledgeInfluence: Low
How different groups contribute to or depend on the project
Government agencies and donors drive and enable the project through policy and funding. NGOs and researchers translate strategy into practice, ensuring technical quality and social inclusion. Local communities are both contributors and primary dependents—their participation is essential for mangrove restoration, yet their livelihoods and safety depend directly on the project’s success.
This interdependence shows that while power is unevenly distributed, project effectiveness relies heavily on actors with the least formal authority.
Power imbalances and overlooked voices
A key power imbalance lies in the limited decision-making authority of local communities, particularly women and marginalized households, despite their central role in implementation and long-term sustainability. If community voices are not meaningfully integrated into planning and governance, there is a risk of maladaptation, lack of ownership, or elite capture.
Ensuring participatory governance and gender-sensitive mechanisms is therefore critical to the project’s long-term success.
How power and influence were determined
Power and influence were assessed based on:
Control over financial resources
Regulatory and policy authority
Decision-making responsibility
Degree of dependence on project outcomes
Ability to shape implementation and compliance
This aligns with standard power–interest stakeholder mapping frameworks used in climate adaptation and development practice.