The Stakeholder Dialogue in the Third Project Phase of GLOWA-Danube

Abstract

The article describes the process and results of the stakeholder dialogue in the third phase of the project. In this phase the objective of stakeholder engagement was to systematically orient the dialogue toward the development and evaluation of the scenarios that were designed, as well as to focus on the results of the simulations and their implications for relevant stakeholder groups. Another aim was to obtain the approval of the potential users of DANUBIA and its model results.

The dialogue process was developed and implemented by IFOK, whose role in the process was a neutral moderator and facilitator, acting as the mediator to promote the dialogue equally on both sides – scientists and stakeholders – for collectively developing scenarios and options for action. IFOK took care of the temporal coordination of the work and if necessary heed the responses of the stakeholder questions at GLOWA-Danube.

As a result of the stakeholder dialogue, vital groundwork was laid for implementation as the stakeholders were made aware of adaptive courses of action under uncertainty; the stakeholders accepted the methods of GLOWA-Danube and tabled relevant issues for which a response was provided. In this way, there was support for building trust in and enhancing the relevance of the results of GLOWA-Danube. Furthermore, it was evident that the dialogue and the workshops generated an open, multi-sectoral network on the subject of climate change and the supply of water in the region. Together, a mutual learning process and development of expertise were undertaken.