Social Learning Beyond Multistakeholder Platforms: A Case Study on the Elbe River Basin

Abstract

Abstract Since competing interests are an important challenge within sustainable river basin management, social learning is often featured in multistakeholder processes established to learn about and align differing interests. At the same time, multistakeholder processes are established as an element of formalized institutional settings, which often seem to impede social learning. In this article, I explore further potential to support social learning in river basin management based on a case study on the international Elbe River basin. The results of the study reveal that multistakeholder platforms are impeded due to their focus on differing interests. Representatives engage more readily in social learning with peers whom they do not perceive as their direct competitors. It is necessary to undertake capacity building for representatives prior to engaging in multistakeholder platforms. Keywords: multistakeholder platformsrepresentativesriver basin managementsocial learning Notes Note. The number in brackets represents the number of interview partners. The interview with the ICPE was carried out with both representatives simultaneously. WG WFD: Working Group WFD of the International Elbe Commission; FGG Elbe: German Elbe River Basin Community. Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for community action in the field of water policy (2000/60/EC).