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Title [en]
Conditions for Participatory Environmental Governance in a Regional Context: The Baltic and Adriatic Sea Regions
Abstract [en]
In a more globalized world, with multiple governance levels and sources of authority, participatory governance, with strong roles for such civil society actors as environmental organizations, is increasingly seen as a remedy for dealing with transboundary environmental problems. But there are some critical aspects regarding participatory governance that is so far little discussed in the literature, and which require careful empirical analysis. How does participatory governance actually work in a regional context, i.e. among neighboring states sharing environmental problems? What is required by civil society actors to make a substantial impact within such governance arrangements? The general aim of this project is to gain new knowledge on the conditions for environmental organizations to play an influential role within regional participatory governance arrangements that aim to cope with environmental problems that stretch beyond national borders. We focus on marine environmental problems and use a qualitative, comparative approach by including the Baltic Sea and the Adriatic Sea, and six selected nations within these regions. The main questions addressed relate to how political institutions and legislation, on both national and international levels, shape environmental organizations’ conditions to be part of environmental governance processes; how these organizations develop capabilities and make use of opportunities provided by governance structures and processes; and how people engaged in these organizations gain essential knowledge and competences which are needed for taking part in governance arrangements. Four researchers representing political science, sociology, public law and adult education will conduct the study.
Publications (10 of 19) Show all publications
Jonason, P. (2015). Conditions for Participatory Environmental Governance in the Baltic Sea Region: At the intersection of Regionalisation and Europeanisation. In: : . Paper presented at Expert meeting and Workshop on "We the People and the Environment", University of Turin, Italy, January 15, 2015.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Conditions for Participatory Environmental Governance in the Baltic Sea Region: At the intersection of Regionalisation and Europeanisation
2015 (English)Conference paper, Oral presentation only (Other academic)
Keywords
Environmental Participatory Governance, Helcom, Helsinki Convention, EU-Law, EIA Directive, SEA Directive, Espoo Convention, SEA Protocol, Regionalisation, Access to information, Public Participation, Baltic Sea, Europeanisation
National Category
Law
Research subject
Baltic and East European studies
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:sh:diva-26889 (URN)1335/42/2010 (Local ID)1335/42/2010 (Archive number)1335/42/2010 (OAI)
Conference
Expert meeting and Workshop on "We the People and the Environment", University of Turin, Italy, January 15, 2015
Funder
The Foundation for Baltic and East European Studies, 1335/42/2010
Available from: 2015-04-18 Created: 2015-04-13 Last updated: 2019-08-29Bibliographically approved
Boström, M., Rabe, L. & Rodela, R. (2015). Environmental non-governmental organizations and transnational collaboration: The Baltic Sea and Adriatic-Ionian Sea regions. Environmental Politics, 24(5), 762-787
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Environmental non-governmental organizations and transnational collaboration: The Baltic Sea and Adriatic-Ionian Sea regions
2015 (English)In: Environmental Politics, ISSN 0964-4016, E-ISSN 1743-8934, Vol. 24, no 5, p. 762-787Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Previous studies of environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGO) have primarily taken place within a nation-state perspective without considering multiple levels of politics and governance. Because environmental problems are usually cross-border phenomena, environmental movements must develop transnational features to play constructive roles in politics and governance. This study contributes to the theorizing and study of transnationalization of ENGOs by illuminating the different regional conditions for this process. The conditions for ENGOs to develop transnational collaboration are explored by comparing ENGOs from six countries in two macro-regions: Sweden, Germany, and Poland in the Baltic Sea region, and Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia in the Adriatic-Ionian Sea region. Grounded in the literatures on social movement theory and ENGO transnationalization, the study identifies how different national, macro-regional, and European institutional structures shape the conditions under which ENGOs develop cross-border collaborations, and demonstrate the importance of long-term and dynamic interplay between processes that occur at the domestic and transnational levels.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Routledge, 2015
Keywords
environmental non-governmental organizations, environmental movement, macro-region, EU, transnational, collaboration, Adriatic Sea, Baltic Sea
National Category
Sociology (excluding Social Work, Social Psychology and Social Anthropology)
Research subject
Baltic and East European studies
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:sh:diva-27158 (URN)10.1080/09644016.2015.1027057 (DOI)000358414000007 ()2-s2.0-84937253302 (Scopus ID)192/3.1.1/2013 (Local ID)192/3.1.1/2013 (Archive number)192/3.1.1/2013 (OAI)
Projects
Environmental governance in context: a study of process dynamics, contextual features and outcomes in four empirical cases
Funder
The Foundation for Baltic and East European Studies, A043-2010
Available from: 2015-05-01 Created: 2015-05-01 Last updated: 2022-11-03Bibliographically approved
Jonason, P. (2015). Multidimensional Governance illustrated by Participatory Environmental Governance - The Baltic Sea Region example. In: Alexander Balthasar, Johannes W. Pichler (eds) (Ed.), Multilevel Governance – from local communities to a true European community: Proceedings of the Conference on European Democracy 2014 (EuDEM 2014) 5 and 6 May 2014 (Strasbourg). Wien: Klein Publishing
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Multidimensional Governance illustrated by Participatory Environmental Governance - The Baltic Sea Region example
2015 (English)In: Multilevel Governance – from local communities to a true European community: Proceedings of the Conference on European Democracy 2014 (EuDEM 2014) 5 and 6 May 2014 (Strasbourg) / [ed] Alexander Balthasar, Johannes W. Pichler (eds), Wien: Klein Publishing , 2015Chapter in book (Other academic)
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Wien: Klein Publishing, 2015
Keywords
Environmental participatory governance, Helcom, Helsinki convention, EU-Law, EIA Directive, SEA Directive, Espoo Convention, SEA protocol
National Category
Law
Research subject
Baltic and East European studies; Politics, Economy and the Organization of Society
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:sh:diva-26882 (URN)1335/42/2010 (Local ID)9783903015029 (ISBN)1335/42/2010 (Archive number)1335/42/2010 (OAI)
Funder
The Foundation for Baltic and East European Studies, 1335/42/2010
Available from: 2015-04-13 Created: 2015-04-13 Last updated: 2019-08-29Bibliographically approved
Boström, M. & Rodela, R. (2014). Developing Capacities for Sustained Transnational Environmental Activism. In: Facing an unequal world: Challenges for global sociology: Book of abstracts. Paper presented at XVIII ISA World Congress of Sociology:. Yokohama
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Developing Capacities for Sustained Transnational Environmental Activism
2014 (English)In: Facing an unequal world: Challenges for global sociology: Book of abstracts, Yokohama, 2014Conference paper, Oral presentation with published abstract (Refereed)
Abstract [en]

Most environmental problems are extremely long term and have cross-border implications. For environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs) to achieve significant impact on environmental governance cross-border and sustained activities are required. The purpose of the paper is to identify key barriers and possible pathways to develop sustained and transnationalenvironmental activism among ENGOs operating in strikingly different political contexts.  

Our analysis is based on qualitative methodology and empirical analyses of ENGOs in six countries (Sweden, Germany, Poland, Italy, Slovenia and Croatia) and two regional contexts, the Baltic Sea and the Adriatic Sea regions. The study is based on document analyses and semi-structured interviews with representatives from 4-6 key ENGOs in each country. The theoretical framework departs primarily from social movement theory.

The paper reveals intriguing similarities and differences between the countries regarding ENGOs' abilities to develop sustained and cross-border activism. We pay particular attention to differences in opportunity structures for resource mobilization. The last decades, the European Union (EU) has emerged as a key opportunity structure that in various ways facilitate cross-border collaboration and capacity building among ENGOs, particularly in Central and Eastern European (CEE) Countries. However, the EU also considerably shapes the conditions for ENGOs to set independent long-term agendas. With the exception of Germany and Sweden, ENGOs rely heavily on their ability to develop a "project mind-set", which in turn requires fund-raising skills and procedures. Also ENGOs in Germany and Sweden make use of public grants. However, the fact that they historically have been able to mobilize huge number of members/supporters –which is still extremely difficult particularly in post-communist countries - have profound implications for abilities to develop transnational and sustained environmental activism. We discuss the role of (dis)trust (institutional vs. family-based trust), political culture and historical legacies to analyze these remarkably different conditions for resource mobilization.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Yokohama: , 2014
National Category
Sociology (excluding Social Work, Social Psychology and Social Anthropology)
Research subject
Baltic and East European studies; Environmental Studies
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:sh:diva-25728 (URN)1335/42/2010 (Local ID)1335/42/2010 (Archive number)1335/42/2010 (OAI)
Conference
XVIII ISA World Congress of Sociology:
Projects
Environmental governance in context: a study of process dynamics, contextual features and outcomes in four empirical cases
Funder
The Foundation for Baltic and East European Studies, 1335/42/2010Swedish Research Council, 3044601
Available from: 2015-01-07 Created: 2015-01-07 Last updated: 2022-11-03Bibliographically approved
Boström, M., Rabe, L. & Rodela, R. (2013). Environmental Non-Governmental Organizations and Transnational Collaboration in Two Regional Contexts: The Baltic Sea and Adriatic Sea Region. In: : . Paper presented at ESA 11th conference: Crisis, Critique and Change, Torino, August 28-31, 2013..
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Environmental Non-Governmental Organizations and Transnational Collaboration in Two Regional Contexts: The Baltic Sea and Adriatic Sea Region
2013 (English)Conference paper, Oral presentation only (Refereed)
National Category
Environmental Sciences Social and Economic Geography
Research subject
Politics, Economy and the Organization of Society; Baltic and East European studies
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:sh:diva-25234 (URN)1335/42/2010 (Local ID)1335/42/2010 (Archive number)1335/42/2010 (OAI)
Conference
ESA 11th conference: Crisis, Critique and Change, Torino, August 28-31, 2013.
Funder
The Foundation for Baltic and East European Studies, 1335/42/2010
Available from: 2014-11-15 Created: 2014-11-15 Last updated: 2022-11-03Bibliographically approved
Blanc-Gonnet Jonason, P. & Calland, R. (2013). Global Climate Finance, Accountable Public Policy: Addressing the Multi-Dimensional Transparency Challenge. The Georgetown Public Policy Review, 18(2), 1-16
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Global Climate Finance, Accountable Public Policy: Addressing the Multi-Dimensional Transparency Challenge
2013 (English)In: The Georgetown Public Policy Review, ISSN 1083-7523, Vol. 18, no 2, p. 1-16Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

A concrete result of the 2011 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Durban (COP17) was the establishment of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), with the aim of channelling $100 billion per year from developed countries to developing countries to support their efforts to respond to climate change and promote sustainable development. The emerging global architecture for climate finance raises significant questions related to public policy and environmental governance. Participatory governance practices, including freedom of information, are increasingly considered effective tools for both coping with environmental problems and finding sustainable solutions to development challenges. Moreover, without sufficient transparency in their decision making, the various climate funds are unlikely to attract a sufficient supply of urgently needed finance, and the ambitious targets of the GCF will be unmet. Yet, the question of the modality and process for governing climate finance is undetermined and obscure. The complexity of climate finance stems from a multi-level structure with international, regional, national, and sub-national actors; multi-sector dimensions, with both public and private donors and recipients; and the sector’s global/multilateral/multidirectional character. This article amplifies the “transparency pressure points” in climate finance generally and the GCF specifically. Public policymaking, in response to the many complex and urgent climate change challenges, may depend on securing the principle of freedom of information within the global climate finance architecture.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Washington DC: Georgetown Public Policy Institute, 2013
Keywords
transparency Climate change accountability right of access to information green climate Fund
National Category
Law Political Science
Research subject
Politics, Economy and the Organization of Society; Baltic and East European studies
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:sh:diva-20509 (URN)1335/42/2010 (Local ID)1335/42/2010 (Archive number)1335/42/2010 (OAI)
Funder
The Foundation for Baltic and East European Studies, 1335/42/2010
Available from: 2013-12-12 Created: 2013-12-12 Last updated: 2019-08-29Bibliographically approved
Bron Jr, M. (2013). Learning processes in environmental NGOs. In: : . Paper presented at International Workshop "Polish Civil Society through Swedish Lenses Mutual Learning in Practice", The Institute of Philosophy and Sociology at the Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw Oct. 17, 2013.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Learning processes in environmental NGOs
2013 (English)Conference paper, Oral presentation only (Other academic)
Keywords
non-formal learning, NGO, learning processes
National Category
Educational Sciences Other Social Sciences not elsewhere specified
Research subject
Baltic and East European studies
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:sh:diva-25202 (URN)
Conference
International Workshop "Polish Civil Society through Swedish Lenses Mutual Learning in Practice", The Institute of Philosophy and Sociology at the Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw Oct. 17, 2013
Funder
The Foundation for Baltic and East European Studies, 1335/42/2010
Available from: 2014-11-07 Created: 2014-11-07 Last updated: 2025-02-18Bibliographically approved
Bron Jr, M. (2013). Non-formal learning - similar settings, divergent cultures. : A study of two environmental organizations in four countries. In: : . Paper presented at Society for the Advancement of Socio-Economics (SASE) 25th Annual Meeting. University of Milan, June 27-29, 2013.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Non-formal learning - similar settings, divergent cultures. : A study of two environmental organizations in four countries
2013 (English)Conference paper, Oral presentation with published abstract (Other academic)
Keywords
non-formal learning, environment, NGO
National Category
Educational Sciences Other Social Sciences not elsewhere specified
Research subject
Baltic and East European studies
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:sh:diva-25199 (URN)
Conference
Society for the Advancement of Socio-Economics (SASE) 25th Annual Meeting. University of Milan, June 27-29, 2013
Funder
The Foundation for Baltic and East European Studies, 1335/42/2010
Available from: 2014-11-07 Created: 2014-11-07 Last updated: 2025-02-18Bibliographically approved
Schartau, M.-B. & Rodela, R. (2013). Political Culture, one condition for participatory governance. In: On conferensce website: . Paper presented at 25th SASE Annual meeting: States in Crisis, Università degli Studi di Milano, June 27 - 29, Milano, 2013.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Political Culture, one condition for participatory governance
2013 (English)In: On conferensce website, 2013Conference paper, Oral presentation with published abstract (Other academic)
Keywords
Political Culture, Culture, baltic sea, governance
National Category
Political Science
Research subject
Baltic and East European studies
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:sh:diva-25600 (URN)1335/42/2010 (Local ID)1335/42/2010 (Archive number)1335/42/2010 (OAI)
Conference
25th SASE Annual meeting: States in Crisis, Università degli Studi di Milano, June 27 - 29, Milano, 2013
Funder
The Foundation for Baltic and East European Studies, 1335/42/2010
Available from: 2014-12-19 Created: 2014-12-19 Last updated: 2022-11-03Bibliographically approved
Schartau, M.-B. (2013). Political Culture, one condition for participatory governance: The case of Poland. In: : . Paper presented at Polish civil society through Swedish Lenses. Mutual learning and practice. Institute of Philosophy and Sociology, Polish Academy of Science, Warsaw, October 17, 2013.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Political Culture, one condition for participatory governance: The case of Poland
2013 (English)Conference paper, Oral presentation only (Other academic)
Keywords
Poland, Political culture, governance, participation
National Category
Political Science
Research subject
Baltic and East European studies
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:sh:diva-25601 (URN)1335/42/2010 (Local ID)1335/42/2010 (Archive number)1335/42/2010 (OAI)
Conference
Polish civil society through Swedish Lenses. Mutual learning and practice. Institute of Philosophy and Sociology, Polish Academy of Science, Warsaw, October 17, 2013
Funder
The Foundation for Baltic and East European Studies
Available from: 2014-12-19 Created: 2014-12-19 Last updated: 2019-08-29Bibliographically approved
Co-InvestigatorBron Jr, Michał
Co-InvestigatorJonason, Patricia
Co-InvestigatorBoström, Magnus
Principal InvestigatorSchartau, Mai-Brith
Coordinating organisation
Södertörn University
Funder
Period
2011-01-01 - 2013-12-31
Keywords [sv]
Östersjö- och Östeuropaforskning
Keywords [en]
Baltic and East European studies
National Category
Political Science (excluding Public Administration Studies and Globalization Studies)
Identifiers
DiVA, id: project:1908Project, id: A043-2010_OSS