ACCESS4ALL Group

Effective stakeholder engagement relies on clear identification and mapping tools such as power–interest or power–benefit matrices, which help reveal who influences decisions and who is most affected, ensuring marginalized groups are not overlooked. Strong communication and negotiation skills—especially active listening, transparency, and compromise—are essential for managing conflicting interests and building trust among stakeholders with different priorities. Long-term, inclusive collaboration is best sustained through continuous engagement, shared decision-making, and regular feedback; for example, in my community, participatory meetings where farmers, local leaders, and extension officers jointly plan climate and land management activities have strengthened cooperation and ownership over time.