Collective Action for Effective Environmental Management and Social Learning in Wales

Mills, Jane ORCID: 0000-0003-3835-3058, Gibbon, David, Ingram, Julie ORCID: 0000-0003-0712-4789, Reed, Matt ORCID: 0000-0003-1105-9625, Short, Christopher J ORCID: 0000-0003-0429-1143 and Dwyer, Janet C ORCID: 0000-0002-2332-9832 (2010) Collective Action for Effective Environmental Management and Social Learning in Wales. In: 9th European IFSA Symposium,, 4‐7 July 2010, Vienna (Austria). ISSN 1389-224X

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Abstract

Increasingly it is recognised that land management at a landscape‐scale can deliver greater public good benefits than at the individual farm scale. Collective agri‐environment schemes are one mechanism for achieving this land management, but such schemes are in the early stages of development in the UK and uncertainty exists as to their appropriate design and delivery. This paper is based on two research projects undertaken in Wales to identify key factors that might lead to successful agri‐environmental co‐operation. The research involved in‐depth analysis of three existing farmer co‐operatives in Wales, including face to face interviews and participatory workshops. Using the theory of collective action as an analytical framework, the paper identifies key factors that could be used to encourage and enhance the success of co‐operative groups in delivering landscape‐scale schemes. Of importance were: locally adaptable engagement strategies; working with group members previously known to each other; institutional arrangements that limited group size and which allowed groups to develop their own solutions and implementation rules; and external support offering the services of a local facilitator and funding for both planning and management stages. A clear finding from the research was the extent to which both business and social confidence can grow within such groups which opens up further development opportunities. Improving the farming community’s capacity to co‐operate will have far‐reaching benefits for all public good provision and diversification activities.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Article Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Paper published 2011 under the title Organising Collective Action for Effective Environmental Management and Social Learning in Wales http://eprints.glos.ac.uk/345/
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Agri-environment scheme, Collective action, Farmer co-operatives, Landscape-scale management
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > G Geography (General) G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences
Divisions:	Schools and Research Institutes > Countryside and Community Research Institute
Research Priority Areas:	Place, Environment and Community
Depositing User:	Anne Pengelly
Date Deposited:	29 May 2015 11:56
Last Modified:	27 Nov 2021 12:01
URI:	https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/2311

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