Encouraging public participation in river basin management
The main goal of the HARMONICOP project was to increase understanding of participatory river basin management in Europe and facilitate the execution of the Water Framework Directive on this matter. The research carried out in nine countries through in-depth case studies, concentrated on specific scientifically challenging criteria. These included scale issues, the role of information and information tools and the cultural, political and geographical context of this initiative. Following this, an inception report was created to explain the project's approach to Public Participation (PP). It also examined core issues which the project covered. The goal was to enable feedback from the different governments and stakeholder groups in the project's early phase and to facilitate research plans. Since the European Water Framework Directive (WFD) requires Member States to manage their basins and reach good water status, it is a critical water directive. The public is consulted three times per year regarding river basin management planning. Social learning is the key effect of public participation and thus HARMONICOP sought to further the evolution of this aspect. Social learning can include groups learning how to cope with issues such as river basin management in which all groups are interested. In order for river basin management to be genuinely participatory, the models and information tools employed for its support and legitimisation need to be designed in a participatory manner. Furthermore, a literature review was created and methodological support given to the teams conducting the case studies. Potential users can convey requests contribute comments and suggestion at the HARMONICOP website.
