ACCESS4ALL Group

1) Who holds the most influence, and who benefits the most?

Most influence

→ Local Government & Funders hold the highest influence.

• They control approvals, funding, regulations, and strategic direction.

Most benefit

Based on interest/affectedness, the groups most directly impacted by changes tend to gain or lose the most.

→ Local Communities / Rights Holders for example the (Fishing Community) benefit the most.

• They experience direct livelihood, safety, environmental, or social changes

2) Each stakeholder’s role, potential benefits, and level of influence

• Local Government (High Power / High Interest)

• Role: Regulator, implementer, formal authority.

Benefits: Successful delivery of development or adaptation goals; political credibility; improved local outcomes.

• Influence: Very high – controls decisions, approvals, and coordination.

Funders (High Power / Low–Medium Interest)

Role: Provide financial resources and strategic oversight.

Benefits: Project success, risk reduction, reputation gains.

Influence: High control resources and can halt or redirect the project.

Local Communities or Rights Holders (Low Power / High Interest)

Role: Primary beneficiaries and those impacted by outcomes.

Benefits: Improved resilience, services, livelihoods, or protection.

Influence: Low–Medium:high interest but limited formal authority.

NGOs (Medium Power / High Interest)

Role: Technical support, advocacy, organizing community engagement.

Benefits: Fulfillment of mission, visibility, funding opportunities.

Influence: Medium – socially influential but without final authority.

Tourist Operators or Private Sector (Low–Medium Power / Low Interest)

Role: Indirect economic actors, sometimes partners.

Benefits: Stability, increased tourism, economic gains.

Influence: Low unless their businesses are directly impacted.

3) How different groups contribute to or depend on the project

Government Agencies

Contribution: Authority, decision-making, coordination, regulation.

Dependence: Political success and service delivery.

NGOs

Contribution: Technical knowledge, community outreach, facilitation, monitoring.

Dependence: Achievement of organizational goals and program impact.

Local Communities or Rights Holders

Contribution: Local knowledge, participation, lived experience.

Dependence: Very high, project outcomes affect their daily lives, livelihoods, and resilience.

Researchers

Contribution: Data, assessments, evidence-based insight.

Dependence: Moderate: research relevance and impact.

Private Sector or Businesses

Contribution: Economic partnerships, resources, innovation.

Dependence: Low–medium—depends on market impact.

4) Power imbalances or overlooked voices

Yes, several are visible:

Power Imbalances

• Governments and funders have disproportionately more power than communities or NGOs.

• Communities are highly affected but have low ability to influence decisions.

Overlooked or vulnerable voices

• Groups such as women, youth, older persons, persons with disabilities may be overlooked unless explicitly included.

Risk to project success

If vulnerable groups are not involved meaningfully:

• Solutions may not meet community needs.

• Resistance or mistrust could arise.

• Outcomes may be inequitable or unsustainable.

5) How power and influence were determined

a) Identify roles and responsibilities

• Look at what each stakeholder does in the system (implementer, funder, affected group).

b) Assess power using indicators

• Formal authority

• Control of critical resources

• Ability to influence decisions

• Social or political leverage

c) Assess interest/benefit

• Degree to which outcomes affect them

• Expected benefits or losses

• Urgency of concerns

d) Place stakeholders in the Interest, Power Matrix

e) Compare positions

Such as:

• High power → manage closely

• High interest → consult deeply

• Low power/high interest → empower and include

• Low power/low interest → monitor