Based on the Sundarban Resilience Project (SRP) case study, stakeholders were identified according to their power, influence, and benefits from the project. In comparison with the reference framework, government and NGOs hold the greatest influence over major project decisions, while local communities benefit the most from project outcomes, particularly through improved livelihoods and increased resilience.

The government plays a key role in policy formulation, regulation, and control of funding and resources, placing it in a high-power and high-influence position. NGOs and development organizations provide funding, design interventions, and implement project activities, giving them significant operational influence. The local community, although the primary beneficiary, mainly participates in implementation, monitoring, and evaluation and has limited influence over strategic decision-making.

Different stakeholder groups contribute to and depend on the project in various ways for instance;

Government agencies provide the institutional framework, NGOs contribute technical expertise and financial resources, and local communities depend on…

In the Sundarbans Resilience Project (SRP), power is concentrated at the top, with national government agencies and international donors wielding the strongest influence through their control over policy, funding, and strategic priorities. While researchers provide the technical blueprints and NGOs serve as essential intermediaries that bridge the gap between policy and practice, these groups remain secondary to the primary decision-makers who hold formal authority.

This creates a distinct power imbalance for local communities; although they are the primary beneficiaries and possess vital contextual knowledge, they remain largely dependent on project outcomes with minimal formal influence over high-level design. This vulnerability is most acute for marginalized groups, such as women and forest-dependent households, whose voices are often overshadowed.

The Sundarbans Resilience Project involves multiple stakeholders with varying levels of power, influence, and benefits. A comparison of these stakeholders shows a clear distinction between those who hold decision-making authority and those who benefit most directly from the project.

Influence and Benefits

The stakeholders with the greatest influence are national government agencies and international donors. Government agencies control policies, regulations, forest management, and disaster infrastructure, while international donors provide essential funding and set strategic and accountability requirements. In contrast, local communities benefit the most from the project’s outcomes. They gain improved livelihood security, reduced exposure to climate-induced disasters, and long-term protection from restored mangrove ecosystems. This reflects a common development pattern where high influence does not necessarily align with high benefit.

Roles, Benefits, and Influence

Government agencies play a central role in project planning and implementation and benefit through improved coastal protection and national climate adaptation outcomes. International donors support the project financially and technically…

The stakeholder analysis of the Sundarbans Resilience Project (SRP) reveals a clear distinction between those who hold decision-making power and those who benefit most directly from the project’s outcomes. National government agencies and international donors emerge as the most influential actors. Government institutions possess regulatory authority over coastal protection, forestry management, and disaster risk reduction, while donors exercise significant influence through financial resources and strategic priorities. Together, these stakeholders shape the project’s objectives, design, and implementation framework.

In contrast, local communities—particularly farmers, fishers, and forest-dependent households—are the primary beneficiaries of the SRP. The project’s focus on mangrove restoration, livelihood diversification, and disaster-resistant infrastructure directly improves their safety, income security, and resilience to climate shocks. However, despite their high level of interest and dependence on the project’s success, these communities have comparatively limited influence over strategic decisions, highlighting a recurring dynamic in climate adaptation initiatives.

Other stakeholders play intermediary and supportive…

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

Government agencies usually hold the most influence because they control money,approvals, and policies. On the other hand, Local communities benefit the most from the project’s outcomes but they still have less influence in decision‑making.

Roles, benefits, and influence of each stakeholder

Government agencies:   Role: policy, funding, regulation. Benefit: development goals, political control. Influence: it very high.

NGOs :  Role: spreding social awarness, community support, monitoring. Benefit: social impact, reputation. Influence: medium.

Local communities :  Role:give realistic view , provide feedback, participate. Benefit: improved living standards. Influence: low to medium.

Les projets d’adaptation au changement climatique impliquent une diversité de parties prenantes aux rôles et aux intérêts différenciés. L’identification des acteurs disposant de la plus grande influence, ainsi que des groupes bénéficiant le plus des résultats du projet, constitue une étape essentielle pour garantir l’efficacité, l’équité et la durabilité des interventions. Cet article analyse ces dynamiques dans le contexte du projet de réduction de la vulnérabilité climatique à Protapnagar, dans le district de Satkhira au Bangladesh.

Les parties prenantes détenant la plus grande influence

À Protapnagar, les parties prenantes les plus influentes sont principalement les autorités gouvernementales locales et nationales, les agences de gestion des catastrophes, ainsi que les organisations non gouvernementales internationales et les bailleurs de fonds. Ces acteurs disposent d’un pouvoir décisionnel élevé, lié à leur capacité à définir les priorités stratégiques, à mobiliser les ressources financières et techniques, et à coordonner les actions sur le terrain. Leur…

After identifying and mapping the stakeholders involved in the Sundarbans Resilience Project (SRP) based on their levels of power and influence, a clear hierarchy of roles and benefits becomes evident when compared to the reference framework.

The stakeholders holding the greatest influence are national government agencies and international donors. They control funding, policy direction, regulations, and overall project priorities, which gives them significant authority over decision-making processes. However, the groups that benefit the most from the project’s outcomes are local communities, particularly fishers, farmers, and women’s groups, whose livelihoods, safety, and resilience directly depend on the success of ecosystem restoration and disaster preparedness efforts.

Each stakeholder plays a distinct role within the project. Government agencies provide policy frameworks, regulatory approval, and coordination across sectors. International donors offer financial resources and technical guidance. NGOs act as intermediaries, translating policies into local action, supporting community engagement, and implementing livelihood and restoration activities. Local communities…

In the context of our climate adaptation projects in Ghana, I found that government agencies like NADMO and the EPA hold the highest structural influence due to their role in policy and resource allocation. However, the stakeholders who benefit the most are the local farming and fishing communities, whose livelihoods are directly tied to the project’s success in building resilience against hazards like tidal surges in Keta or droughts in the North. While the government provides the framework and organizations like Rotaract contribute technical expertise and grassroots mobilization, there is a clear dependency where communities rely on these external actors for "adaptive capacity." In my mapping, researchers from institutions like UHAS play a critical role in providing the evidence base (such as cardiotoxic or environmental health data), but their influence is often limited by a lack of direct decision-making power in the final implementation phases.

A significant power imbalance remains evident between…

From the reading, we discover that Government institutions, donors, and SRP project managers hold the highest form of power and influence over the project. Together, they control the finances, policies, and strategies needed for the project.

On the other hand, the affected community and its inhabitants benefit the most from the project, yet they have no direct influence over the project, but depend wholly on the local NGOs to use their knowledge of the locality to implement the project.

Government agencies have a high level of power and influence over the project and benefit from national climate adaptation capacities/scores. Their job is to provide policy and regulate. International bodies: have low power but a strong influence; they most often have little to no contribution to operations or running of the project. Provide funding for the project.

NGOs: have a strong influence on how the project is carried out, but low power in…

After comparing my stakeholder mapping with the reference matrix provided, I found that the categorization of stakeholders according to their levels of power and influence is largely consistent and reflects the actual governance structure of the project.

1. Who holds the most influence, and who benefits the most from the project?

Government institutions, main international donors, and the SRP project management hold the highest level of power and influence over the project. They control financial resources, regulatory frameworks, and strategic decision-making processes.

However, local communities in the Sundarbans benefit the most directly from the project outcomes, particularly through improved coastal protection, ecosystem restoration, and diversified livelihood opportunities. Their benefits depend largely on how well their needs and local knowledge are integrated into the project.

2. Roles, potential benefits, and level of influence of each actor

• Government agencies

  
  

Based on the stakeholder power–influence analysis and comparison with the reference framework, national government decentralized departments and the project donor hold the most influence in the project. This is because they control key decision-making processes, including policy direction, budget allocation, approvals, and access to resources. Local communities benefit the most from the project outcomes, as they are the primary recipients of improved livelihoods, resilience-building interventions, and enhanced wellbeing, even though they hold comparatively low power and influence.

Each stakeholder plays a distinct role within the project. Government agencies act as the main coordinators and planners, facilitating implementation at local levels while benefiting from capacity building, strengthened institutional coordination, and enhanced legitimacy with communities and donors. The donor provides financial resources and technical guidance and gains reputational benefits, credibility, and influence over development priorities. NGOs support community engagement, implementation, and facilitation, relying on government authority while benefiting from project experience and…

National government decentralized departments and the project donor holds more power and influence, as the control the core parts of the project in terms of decision-making regarding resources, resource allocation, budgets and other approvals, policy directtion, among others. However, the beneficiary community members are those who benefit most from the project outcomes though the national government and its decentralized departments and the donor also benefit somehow.

The national government decentralized partments are the main coordination and planning unity on behalf of beneficaries, and benefits from several angles including capacity building, strengthened coordination and planning, trust and reputation from both the communities and the donor. They hold high power and high influence over the project, as the can do or undo the project.

The donor provides the financial means for the project to happen besides providing technical guidance and direction in alignment with the project goal and objectives. They intend benefit…

1. Who holds the most influence, and who benefits the most from the project’s outcomes?

In the Sundarbans Resilience Project (SRP), national government agencies and international donors hold the highest influence due to their control over policies, funding, and strategic direction. They determine project priorities, approve budgets, and shape implementation frameworks.

In contrast, local communities, particularly forest-dependent households, women, and marginalized groups, benefit the most from the project’s outcomes. Improved livelihoods, reduced disaster risks, and strengthened coastal protection directly affect their daily lives, even though they have limited influence over project decisions.

This distinction highlights a common pattern in climate adaptation projects: those with the greatest influence are not always the primary beneficiaries.

2. Stakeholder roles, potential benefits, and levels of influence

• Government Agencies (National & Local)

In this project, government agencies and implementing NGOs hold the most influence because they control funding, policy alignment, technical design, and implementation frameworks. However, local communities—especially women, youth, and livelihood-dependent groups—benefit the most from the project’s outcomes through improved resilience, livelihoods, and environmental protection.

Each stakeholder plays a distinct role:

• Government agencies provide policy direction, coordination, and legitimacy, with high influence and long-term institutional benefits.

• NGOs and civil society organizations act as implementers and facilitators, translating policy into community action and ensuring participation, with medium-to-high influence.

• Local communities are the primary beneficiaries and frontline implementers of adaptation practices, though they often have low formal influence despite high dependency on project success.

• Researchers and universities contribute evidence, monitoring tools, and best practices, with moderate influence but strong knowledge value.

Stake holders in the SRP Project include, International donors, National Agencies, Private Organizations, Local Agencies and community folks. The community folks stand to benefit the most from the project outcome. All other entities would derive some level of satisfaction having fulfilled their mandate. Influence and contributions of the stakeholders are as follows;

1. National Agencies: I believe they hold the most influence since the solicit for and provide funding for the project. Project design depends largely on this agency.

2. International Organizations: Provide funding and contribute to project design

3. Organizations: Provide research findings and baseline data for project design. May also contribute funding

4. Local Agencies: Directly responsible for implementing project with community folks

5. Community Folks: Assist with implementation and monitoring and evaluation of the project. They are the direct beneficiaries of the interventions

International donors, national government agencies (such as BFD, MoEFCC, and the Disaster Management Bureau), and the SRP Project Management Unit (PMU) emerge as the most influential stakeholders because they shape project priorities, approve budgets, define safeguards, and oversee execution. In contrast, local communities and the Sundarbans ecosystem are the primary beneficiaries.

The roles and contributions of each stakeholder group are summarized in the stakeholder table  attached.  Government agencies provide regulatory authority, coordination capacity, and enforcement mechanisms, making them central to project legitimacy and scale. Donors contribute financial resources, technical standards, and monitoring requirements, which directly influence project design and accountability structures. NGOs and community-based organizations act as intermediaries, facilitating community engagement, promoting behavioral change, and strengthening local accountability. Researchers contribute data, monitoring tools, and adaptation strategies that inform evidence-based decision-making. Meanwhile, the private sector supports sustainable livelihood investments. However this must be regulated to avoid undermining restoration efforts.

Power imbalances…

In the Sundarbans Resilience Project (SRP), the identification of the stakeholders and their management is central to the success of the project because every group has the potential to support or hinder implementation initiatives. National government agencies, international donors, and project management team are the most powerful stakeholders since they have the powers to make decisions on policies, allocation of funds, and the general orientation of the project. They have power which is reflected on the control of financial resources, power to make regulations and ability to define the project priorities and outcomes.

Despite the fact that these actors have the most influence, the major beneficiaries are the local communities, namely the fishers, farmers, women, indigenous communities among other marginalised communities that rely directly on the Sundarbans as their livelihoods and resistant to the effects of climate-related hazards. These communities gain advantages in terms of better livelihood, better disaster preparedness…

Last month, we tested a simple circular-economy idea: seed pens (paper pens that can be planted after use).

This wasn’t just a “craft activity” — it was a behaviour-design experiment: Can climate action become simple enough to fit into everyday life?

In 18 days: ✅ 20 teenagers learned the process and produced seed pens

✅ 120+ seed pens were made by youth

✅ 200+ households joined conversations on plastic waste and climate-friendly habits

In the Sundarbans Resilience Project (SRP), national government agencies hold the highest level of influence due to their authority over policy, regulation, funding allocation, and implementation of coastal protection and ecosystem management measures. International donors also exert high influence by shaping project priorities through financing and accountability requirements. Local communities are the primary beneficiaries of the project, gaining improved protection from climate hazards, livelihood diversification, and ecosystem services, but they have relatively low formal influence over decision-making.

Government agencies act as primary decision-makers, NGOs and civil society organisations function as local influencers by facilitating community engagement and implementation, and researchers provide technical and scientific inputs that inform project design. Local communities contribute contextual knowledge and stewardship of natural resources while remaining largely dependent on project outcomes for resilience and livelihoods.

A key power imbalance exists between decision-makers and community actors, particularly marginalised groups such as women and forest-dependent households, whose voices may be…

In my analysis of the Sundarbans Resilience Project (SRP), I found a significant gap between administrative authority and local impact. The most influence is held by National Agencies and International Donors, who control the project’s funding and regulatory framework, while local communities and marginalized groups benefit the most because their survival depends on the success of mangrove restoration and cyclone shelters (SRP Case Study). Each group plays a specific role: government agencies provide the legal mandate and infrastructure, while NGOs and researchers contribute social advocacy and ecological data, yet they all depend on the project to achieve long-term regional stability. However, a clear power imbalance exists; local villagers have high interest but low formal power, meaning they are often "overlooked voices" whose lack of influence could lead to project failure if their livelihood needs aren't met (World Bank, 2024). I determined these positions by using the Power-Interest Matrix, which ranks stakeholders by…

As regards the SRP and many other projects, identification of Stakeholders is very crucial to the success of the project. These stakeholders can make or mar the activities leading to the completion of the project. First and foremost, every Government agency that is supposed to be a part of a community project must be duly informed, they must attend meetings and understand what the project is about, community leaders or chiefs must also be informed, community members as well. All stakeholders will be managed according to the influence they have in making the project a success.

We worked with 5 women and reused 6kg textile waste to create products + climate impact.

Would love your feedback — feel free to drop a comment on the LinkedIn post 😊

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The most influence is held by the Government of Bangladesh and international donors, as they control funding, policy, and high level implementation. In contrast, the primary intended beneficiaries marginalized coastal communities stand to gain the most from the project's outcomes in terms of livelihood security and disaster protection, but only if the project is designed and executed with their needs at the center.

Government agencies implement and own assets, donors set financial and policy conditions, and contractors build infrastructure, giving them high influence and direct benefits like contracts and political credit. Local communities, who contribute labor and local knowledge, and NGOs, who facilitate and advocate, have medium to low formal influence, despite being essential for on the ground success and sustainability. Their benefits are more indirect and dependent on effective project governance.

Critical power imbalances exist, often overlooking the voices of the landless, ethnic minorities, and women within poor households.…

The Government of Bangladesh (Ministry of Environment and coastal authorities) and the international donor agencies hold the greatest influence because they control funding, regulatory approval, and strategic priorities. The local communities benefit most from the project outcomes, gaining improved disaster protection, diversified livelihoods, and long-term environmental security. There is a clear power imbalance between donors/government authorities and local communities. Marginalized groups such as women, small-scale fishers, and informal workers risk being underrepresented in decision-making. If not actively included, this imbalance may reduce community ownership and long-term sustainability.

 In the project, government agencies hold the most influence because they control policies, funding, and regulations, while NGOs and local communities benefit most directly through improved livelihoods, ecosystem protection, or access to resources. Government agencies provide oversight and funding, NGOs offer technical support and implementation, researchers contribute knowledge and monitoring, and local communities provide local knowledge and participation. Power imbalances exist, as some community voices may be overlooked in decision-making, while NGOs and researchers often hold more technical influence. I assessed stakeholder power and influence by considering control over resources, decision-making authority, and the ability to shape project outcomes.

In the mangrove restoration project, local government agencies hold the most formal influence due to regulatory power and funding access. However, local communities ultimately benefit the most, as the project directly protects their homes, livelihoods, and food security.

• Government Agencies: High influence; provide permits, funding, and policy support. Benefit from achieved climate targets and reduced disaster risk.

• Local Communities: Moderate influence (through collective action); provide labour, local knowledge, and long-term stewardship. Benefit from enhanced protection and sustainable resources.

• NGOs/Researchers: Moderate-high influence; provide technical expertise, training, and bridge communities with funders. Benefit from successful implementation and data.

• Private Sector (e.g., fishing/tourism): Low-moderate influence; depend on healthy ecosystems. Benefit from sustained economic activities.

Power imbalances exist: community voices can be overshadowed by top-down planning. Success requires ensuring their input shapes project design, not just implementation. I determined influence by assessing control over resources, decision-making authority, and dependency on project outcomes.

Based on the stakeholder mapping exercise and comparison with the reference framework, the mangrove restoration project in the Philippines demonstrates a multi-level distribution of power, influence, and benefits among stakeholders.

Who Holds the Most Influence and Who Benefits the Most?

Government agencies and NGOs hold the greatest formal influence due to their control over policies, funding, technical expertise, and regulatory authority. However, local communities, particularly fisherfolk and women’s groups, are the primary beneficiaries of the project’s outcomes. They experience improved protection from storms, restored livelihoods, and enhanced social empowerment.

This distinction highlights an important dynamic: those with the most decision-making power are not always the ones who benefit most directly from the project’s success.

Stakeholder Roles, Benefits, and Levels of Influence

• Government AgenciesRole: Policy development, coastal zoning, environmental regulation, and disaster risk reduction planning.Benefits: Reduced disaster recovery costs, improved coastal resilience, and alignment with national climate commitments.Influence: High — due to regulatory authority and…

Who holds the most influence, and who benefits the most from the project’s outcomes?

Most Influence:The national government agencies and international donors hold the most influence. Government ministries control policy, regulatory approvals, and integration with national climate strategies, while donors control financial resources, reporting requirements, and strategic priorities. Together, they shape project scope, timelines, and success metrics.

Greatest Beneficiaries:The local communities in the Sundarbans region benefit the most from the project’s outcomes. They gain improved livelihoods, reduced disaster risk, strengthened infrastructure, and long-term environmental protection. The ecosystem itself (mangrove forests) is also a major beneficiary through restoration and protection efforts.

2. Stakeholder roles, potential benefits, and levels of influence

StakeholderRoleBenefitsInfluenceNational GovernmentPolicy, regulation, oversightClimate resilience, national security, compliance with global commitmentsHighInternational DonorsFunding, strategic guidanceImpact outcomes, accountability, climate goalsHighSRP Project Management UnitPlanning, coordinationProject success, institutional credibilityHighLocal GovernmentsLocal implementation, coordinationImproved services, local resilienceMediumNGOs / CSOsCommunity mobilization, livelihoods, advocacySocial impact, mission fulfillmentMediumLocal CommunitiesImplementation, stewardshipIncome security, safety, resilienceLow–MediumResearch InstitutionsMonitoring,…

Influence and Benefits

In the Sundarbans Resilience Project, the greatest influence lies with national government agencies, the Forest Department, international donors, and the project’s management unit. They control funding, regulations, and strategic direction. The highest benefits, however, flow to local communities, fisherfolk, honey collectors, farmers, women’s groups, and marginalized households, who depend directly on ecological restoration, safer infrastructure, and diversified livelihoods. This creates a familiar adaptation pattern in which those with the least power stand to gain the most from successful implementation.

Roles and Contributions

Government bodies provide policy authority, land-use decisions, and disaster management frameworks. Donor agencies contribute financial resources and technical oversight. NGOs and community-based organizations mobilize local participation, support training, and strengthen social acceptance. Local communities supply labour, indigenous knowledge, and long-term stewardship, while researchers generate data that guides ecological and climate-related decisions. Each group contributes a different form of capital—political, financial, social, or scientific—making the project…

1. I have found stakeholder mapping matrices (power–interest grids) and community consultations most effective. At National Environmental Standard Regulation Enforcement Agency Nigeria (NESREA), this helps me clearly identify who regulates, who implements, who is affected, and who influences environmental compliance—such as ministries, industries, community leaders, and civil society groups.

2. Role of negotiation and communication in managing conflicting interests:

Strong negotiation and communication skills help balance enforcement with cooperation. In NESREA’s work, clear communication of environmental and public health risks, combined with negotiation, allows us to address resistance from industries while still protecting community health, an approach reinforced by my public health training, which emphasises risk communication and evidence-based dialogue.

3. Best practices for inclusive and sustainable collaboration (with example): Key practices include early community involvement, transparent decision-making, and continuous feedback. A good example is NESREA’s engagement with host communities during environmental inspections, where community representatives are included in discussions to ensure compliance…

After identifying and mapping stakeholders based on their power and influence, I compared my analysis with the provided reference framework. This comparison helped clarify how authority, resources, and decision making capacity shape climate adaptation project outcomes.

Who holds the most influence and who benefits the most

Government agencies hold the highest level of influence in the project. They control policy approval, funding allocation, regulatory frameworks, and long term planning decisions. Their influence is institutional and structural, which allows them to shape project direction from design to implementation.

Local communities are the primary beneficiaries of the project outcomes. While they may have lower formal power, they directly benefit through improved resilience, safer livelihoods, better infrastructure, and reduced climate risks. In some cases, NGOs and researchers also benefit through capacity building, data generation, and project visibility.

Stakeholder roles, benefits, and influence

Government agencies play a leadership and coordination role. They provide policy…

In the context of climate adaptation in Nigeria, government agencies hold the greatest influence, while local communities benefit most from project outcomes. Federal and state institutions—including the Federal Ministry of Environment, NEMA, and State Emergency Management Agencies—control policy frameworks, regulatory approvals, and resource allocation. Their decisions shape project design, implementation priorities, and long-term sustainability. Local communities, particularly flood-prone households, small-scale farmers, and coastal residents, are the primary beneficiaries, gaining improved resilience, reduced exposure to climate hazards, and alternative livelihood opportunities.

Stakeholder roles, benefits, and influence can be summarized as follows:

• Government Agencies: Provide policy direction, approve funding, and oversee implementation. High influence; medium to high benefit through national development gains.

• NGOs and Civil Society: Facilitate community engagement, mobilize funding, and implement interventions. Moderate influence; medium benefit from project success and donor accountability.

• Local Communities: Participate in project activities, adopt adaptation measures, and provide local knowledge. Low influence; high benefit from improved resilience.

In Malawi, the success of climate change adaptation projects hinges on key stakeholders playing to their strengths. Government agencies are crucial for policy support and creating an enabling environment, ensuring project sustainability. NGOs bring much-needed funding and resources, turning plans into action. Researchers design innovative solutions and provide technical expertise, shaping effective interventions. But the real beneficiaries are the local communities – they're the ones who'll reap the rewards of a resilient environment, improved livelihoods, and sustainable development. Plus, they're the frontline monitors, ensuring projects are on track and adopted long-term.

Stakeholder mapping in the Sundarbans Resilience Project categorizes over 100 organizations from Bangladesh and India by influence, interest, and roles to enhance joint conservation and climate resilience. High-influence stakeholders include government ministries (e.g., environment) and security agencies like coast guards; high-interest groups feature local NGOs such as Shushilan and Uttaran, plus international bodies like ActionAid. Iterative methods like interviews and rainbow diagrams classify them into high/medium/low categories, fostering trust-building dialogues with communities, technical agencies, and private sectors for transboundary management and participatory platforms.

In the Sundarbans Resilience Project, the stakeholders with the greatest influence and power are national government agencies such as the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Bangladesh Forest Department, and key implementing ministries responsible for disaster management and infrastructure. These actors control funding allocation, policy decisions, regulatory permissions, and project prioritization. The groups that benefit most from the project’s outcomes are local communities, particularly fishing households, forest-dependent populations, women’s groups, and marginalized rural families who rely on the Sundarbans ecosystem for livelihoods and protection from climate disasters.

Government ministries act as primary decision-makers, donors (e.g., multilateral banks and UN agencies) provide financial and technical support, while NGOs and CBOs facilitate implementation, training, and social mobilization. Local communities contribute indigenous knowledge and safeguard restored ecosystems, but their formal influence over decision-making is relatively low compared to institutional actors.

Researchers and universities add scientific insights and monitoring capacity.

There are visible power imbalances,…

The Sundarbans Resilience Project (SRP) involves key stakeholders classified by their power and influence. Primary Decision-Makers, such as the Bangladesh Forest Department (BFD) and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), wield high authority over regulations, funding allocation, and project execution, drawing from their role as forest custodians. International donors like the World Bank, AFD, and GIZ also fall here, shaping objectives through financial and technical support. Local Influencers include NGOs such as IUCN and UNDP, along with community groups, who drive advocacy, engagement, and compliance on the ground.​

Among these, the BFD and MoEFCC hold the most influence due to national policy control, while local communities benefit most through livelihood diversification, disaster protection, and ecosystem preservation. Government agencies lead restoration and infrastructure, benefiting from policy wins; NGOs facilitate training and monitoring, gaining conservation impact; communities contribute labor and knowledge, relying on income alternatives; researchers provide data analysis;…

The most influential stakeholders are the Government agencies and NGO which hold the most accountable and project Implementation and action without them the local community and researchers cannot implement the project .

The .most benefited from the outcome of the projects is the local community which will bring peace and sustainable development in the community environment when the project is implemented.

When you look at the stakeholders roles each stakeholders have it role and a potential benefit on the project when we says the Government agencies are the one that will bring policy so that the project will be sustainable. The NGO are the one that will bring the fund and all possible tools fir the implementation of the projects to live, the researchers are the one thet are responsible for the design of the projects and solutions of the projects while the locals community there contri…

The governement departments holds the most influential roles while the communities stand to benefit. Governemnts provide institutional knowledge, NGOs provide funding and researcheres provide solutions. The communities seem to have a lessor voice

Sundarban Resilience Project is a precise insight on the stakeholder mapping and roles played each stakeholder when it comes to climate change action.

From the project it is evident that the government agencies in this case Department of Environment, Forest conservation holds the most influence in the Sundarban Resilience Project as the take the Manage closely role within the stakeholders mapping matrix characterized by high power and high interest. They make laws and regulations that actively influence the progress of the entire project.

The local communities named shows high interest though they as seen to have minimal or lower power in the project hence they are basically the most benefiting group among the stakeholders hierarchy as they serve to gain an environment with high socio-economic benefits free from climate change hazards such the frequent cyclones,coastal erosions and even salinity intrusion.

The government agency that is Department of Environment,forest affairs operat…

Stakeholder Influence and Power:

Most influence: International donors and national government agencies – they control funding, policy, and project design.

Most benefiting: Local communities – gain direct protection from cyclones/erosion, diversified livelihoods, and improved safety/disaster infrastructure. The ecosystem itself (mangroves) also benefits through restoration, indirectly protecting communities

2. Role, Potential Benefits, and Influence of Each Stakeholder

a) Government agencies:

Role: Regulation, infrastructure planning, coordination

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

Based on the power–benefit stakeholder mapping, government agencies and international donors hold the most influence in the Sundarbans Resilience Project. Institutions such as the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Bangladesh Forest Department, and international development partners control policy decisions, funding, regulations, and project priorities.

In contrast, local communities—particularly farmers, fishers, women, children, and the elderly—benefit the most from the project’s outcomes. Improved mangrove restoration, disaster-resistant infrastructure, and livelihood diversification directly affect their safety, health, food security, and income stability, even though they have comparatively low formal decision-making power.

Stakeholder roles, benefits, and influence

• Government agenciesRole: Policy formulation, regulatory enforcement, ecosystem management, disaster preparednessBenefits: Achievement of national climate goals, reduced disaster response costs, international credibilityInfluence: High

Most influence vs. most benefit

Most influence: National government agencies (Ministry of Environment, Forest Department) and international donors hold the highest influence due to control over policy, funding, approvals, and project design.

Most benefit: Local communities benefit the most in the long term through improved livelihoods, reduced disaster risk, and ecosystem protection, although their formal influence is comparatively low.

Stakeholder roles, benefits, and influence

National government agencies: Policy formulation, regulatory clearance, coordination, infrastructure development; high influence, moderate direct benefit.

Local government bodies: Implementation support, community mobilization; medium influence, medium benefit.

In my opinion stakeholders power depends on poroject but each project need participartory approach.

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,…

Discussion Forum Reflection – Vulnerability Mapping Module

For this discussion forum, I have uploaded a PDF of my identified vulnerability list based on the virtual field trip regions, with particular focus on urban slum areas in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The vulnerability assessment highlights key climate hazards such as heavy rainfall, flooding, storms, extreme heat, and water contamination, and examines how these hazards interact with social and infrastructural conditions to shape human vulnerability.

Key insights from the community testimonial videos

The community testimonial videos from Dhaka provided strong, human-centred insights into how climate change is experienced in everyday life. Residents described living in houses made of thin zinc or metal sheets, which become extremely hot during both the dry and rainy seasons. Even with fans, indoor temperatures remain unbearable, forcing people to endure heat stress inside their homes. During storms, rainwater leaks through roofs, and houses often become unlivable for several days.