Stakeholder Participation in the Program Criteria for a successful action plan

- 9 -

3.4 Stakeholder Participation in the Program

Stakeholder participation is a key requirement if a district is to be accepted into the Local ICM Action Planning Program. Stakeholder consultation imparts the perception of stewardship at an early stage and establishes a flow of information. It is essential to consult all stakeholders during the process from an early stage on to allow all involved parties to define and prioritise issues to be included in the ICM plan in their area.

3.5 Criteria for a successful action plan

To become part of the Local ICM Action Planning Program, district ICM action plans need to have certain characteristics. These criteria are divided into three major parts: 1. Substance criteria • The action plan addresses the key issues identified in an assessment or issue profile • The majority of actions can be implemented through ongoing activities and existing resources, or modest and obtainable incremental funding. • Action planning builds activities around an open, participatory process. The action plan is not being pushed by one interest group. • A manageable number of priority issues are chosen fewer may be better • There is a likelihood that concrete, positive results can be generated in a short time- frame. • The actions to tackle the issues deal with the main causes of problems as well as effects. • The actions are manageable given the capacity, resources and experience available. • Commitments have been obtained for the help that villagers require and for the actions that need to be taken by people and organisations outside the community. • The individual actions work together and do not conflict with each other. • Specific targets are identified and performance is monitored and regularly evaluated. 2. Process criteria • The district has met the necessary preconditions. See the “Initial Contact” Section for more details. • The steps presented in this document have been successfully completed. • There is tangible commitment by the districts to implement the action plans. Tangible commitment will include, but not be limited to, allocation of staff time, and physical andor financial resources. • Where possible, and depending on resources availability, a less than 25 of the budget for implementation will from the national coastal management program. 3. Consistency Criteria • The action plan should be consistency with sectoral policies, legislation, strategies or other plans. • The action plan should contribute to national ICM goals. • The action plan should adheres to the principles of ICM. - 10 -

3.6 Overview of the main steps in local ICM action planning