The Green Tank contributed to a major study assessing the governance of Protected and Conserved Areas (PCAs) worldwide. The study was led by a team from the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), with input from the Fidelio program and under the scientific guidance of Dr. Nicoletta Jones (Warwick University / University of Cambridge).
The research was based on the innovative SAGE (Site-level Assessment of Governance and Equity) methodology, which evaluates governance quality in protected areas, particularly in terms of equity and social justice. It also explores the potential of this tool to assess governance quality across larger networks or systems of protected areas.
The study presents and analyzes the results of a pilot application of the SAGE methodology in 37 sites across 19 countries. SAGE is a participatory tool designed to help stakeholders identify governance challenges and highlight potential solutions for improvement. In essence, it serves as a valuable means of self-assessment and a vehicle for strengthening the management of these areas.
The study focuses on three key aspects of the social dimension of protected area governance: distributional equity (the fair distribution of benefits and burdens); procedural equity (participation in decision-making processes); and recognitional equity (recognition of rights and identities).
Among the sites where the SAGE methodology was piloted are two protected areas in Greece: the National Park of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace and the Evros Delta National Park. In these areas, The Green Tank, in collaboration with the research team and the protected area management bodies, organized stakeholder workshops in January 2020 and July 2021, bringing together representatives from local communities and relevant institutions.
A central finding of the study is that the greatest challenge lies in mitigating the negative impacts of environmental protection on local communities. Furthermore, sites managed by or in collaboration with Indigenous Peoples and local communities tend to receive slightly more favorable governance assessments compared to those managed solely by government authorities. The study also highlights interesting variations in stakeholder perceptions: decision-makers generally rate governance more positively, while area users (such as residents) tend to be more reserved in their evaluations.
Overall, the research underscores the value of SAGE as a tool for strengthening governance through a participatory, multidimensional approach that captures the diverse perspectives of stakeholders. While the expansion of the SAGE methodology to larger sets of protected areas holds promise for future analysis across governance types, ecosystems, and regions, the study emphasizes that its most appropriate application is at the local level, to promote equity and social justice in the management of protected areas.
Read the full study here.
Learn more about the SAGE methodology here.
