Most Effective Approaches
Stakeholder brainstorming + document review Begin with project documents, policies, and local administrative structures (village leaders, sector officials, cooperatives). This ensures influential but less visible actors are not overlooked.
Power–Interest Matrix Categorizes stakeholders into four groups (high/low power vs. high/low interest). A straightforward tool for prioritization and engagement planning.
Stakeholder Influence–Impact Matrix Helps identify who shapes decisions and who bears the consequences, reducing risks of elite capture.
Social Network Mapping Valuable in communities where informal influence (religious leaders, cooperative heads, youth leaders) outweighs formal authority.
Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) Directly involves communities in stakeholder identification, ensuring marginalized groups are represented.
Critical Point: Stakeholder mapping must be dynamic. Tools lose effectiveness if applied mechanically without regular updates to reflect shifting power dynamics.