Exploring Institutional Climate Capacity Assessment Indicators of Community-based Organizations in the Conservation Projects: A Participative Approach

Abstract

The present comprehensive study seeks to evaluate the institutional climate capacity of Community-based Organizations (CBOs) involved in coastal ecotourism conservation projects along the Maharashtra coastal region in India. The primary objective is to understand the community interactions, organizational structures, and adaptive capacities of CBOs in the face of climate change, utilizing an integrated approach through participative and stakeholder interaction. The research methodology employed through the integrated investigated assessment, which includes- focused group discussions (n=06) and a survey of key informants’ interviews and community participants (n=143), additionally were added to this set of data combined for a total of 204 respondents, to comprehensively evaluate the institutional climate capacity of the CSOs engaged in coastal ecotourism projects. The findings identify key dimensions influencing CBO-led conservation projects, emphasizing the importance of different actors’ interplay and processes reflected through the communities. Notable strengths include effective communication, inclusive planning, and budgetary processes contributing to climate action orientation, emphasizing strengths in communication, inclusive planning, and budgetary processes. Socially excluded groups actively participate, underscoring the significance of their involvement for project success. Integrating socio-cultural factors into climate change planning is highlighted, emphasizing the need for quantitative research in this area. These identified key dimensions influence the CSO's institutional climate capacities.