Cultivating networks and mapping social landscapes: How to understand restoration governance in Rwanda. (May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Buckingham, Kathleen; Arakwiye, Bernadette; Ray, Sabin; Maneerattana, Ornanong; Anderson, Will
• Is Part Of: Land use policy. Volume 104(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-05
• Subjects: ACNR Association pour la Conservation de la Nature au Rwanda -- ADRA Adventist Development and Relief Agency -- AEE African Evangelistic Enterprise -- AFDB African Development Bank -- ARCOS Albertine Rift Conservation Society -- BK Belgium Technical Cooperation -- BRALIRWA Braseries et Limonaderies du Rwanda -- COPRORIZ Cooperative de Promotion des Riziculteurs de Ntende -- FAO Food for Agriculture Organization -- FOH Forest of Hope -- FONERWA Rwanda's Green Fund -- GEF Global Environment Facility -- GIZ Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit -- ICRAF World Agroforestry Centre -- ICT Information and communications technology -- IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature -- LAFREC Landscape Approach to Forest Restoration and Conservation -- LWH/RSSP Land-Husbandry, Water-Harvesting and Hillside Irrigation -- MINADEF/ Reserve Force Ministry of Defense -- MINAGRI Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry -- MINALOC Ministry of Local Government -- MINECOFIN Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning -- MINEDUC Ministry of Education -- MINILAF Ministry of Land and Forestry -- MININFRA Ministry of Infrastructure -- MINIRENA Ministry of Environment -- NAEB National Agricultural Export Development Board -- NGO Non-governmental organization -- RAB Rwanda Agriculture Board -- RDB Rwanda Development Board -- RECOR Rwanda Environment Conservation Organization -- REMA Rwanda Environmental Authority -- RWFA Rwanda Water and Forest Authority -- SACCO Savings and Credit Co-operative -- UNEP UN Environment Program -- WCS Wildlife Conservation Society -- WRI World Resources Institute; Social network analysis -- Rwanda -- Restoration -- Forest and landscape restoration -- Landscape restoration -- Governance -- Environmental governance -- Information networks -- Collaboration networks -- Finance networks -- Seed networks; Land use -- Periodicals; Land use -- Government policy -- Periodicals; Sol, Utilisation du -- Périodiques; Sol, Utilisation du -- Politique gouvernementale -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 333.7305
• DOI: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2020.104546
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-8377

Abstract

Highlights: Social network analysis was used to map flows of information and collaboration, tree seedlings, and finance to understand who influences restoration in Rwanda. Priorities and values assessment helped identify where there is alignment and difference across community, district and national scales. Farmers remain the key implementers of restoration, but they do not receive the resources they need. Diverse, reliable, and resilient networks of information, finance, and seedlings will be essential for the restoration movement to be sustainable. There is a disconnect between the goals for restoration at the different scales. It is important to consider how the district level can act as a mediator for different priorities between the community and national level. Abstract: This study focuses on environmental governance in Rwanda through a social network lens, with the aim to understand actors' connections, their priorities and their values within the restoration landscape at the national, district and community scales in Gatsibo. Diverse, reliable, and resilient networks of information, finance, and seedlings are essential for the restoration movement to be sustainable. The study identifies that key resource flows are not directly accessible to the farmers, who are the key implementers of restoration in Rwanda. The study identifies the need to first understand and then strengthen these networks by mapping actors' resource flows, priorities and values, and then developing a strategy for change. By considering actor networks, restoration interventions can be more efficient regarding resources, collaboration and outreach. Moreover, conflicts and bottlenecks can be more easily anticipated.