نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی
عنوان مقاله English
نویسندگان English
In Iran, numerous initiatives have been undertaken to operationalize the concept of sustainable and participatory development within local communities. Documenting and analyzing the social lessons learned from these experiences is vital for improving implementation mechanisms and informing the design of future programs by both responsible institutions and the academic community. Among these initiatives, the National Action Programme for “the Sustainable Management of Land and Water Resources in the Hablerud Watershed” (SMLWR) stands out as one of the most significant local and rural development projects. Implemented in two phases (Phase I: 1998–2003; Phase II: 2012–2016) through collaboration with national and international organizations, the project aimed to enhance and sustain rural livelihoods through the participatory and optimal management of natural resources. The main objective of this article is to examine the achievements and challenges of the project’s implementation. To this end, the study employs a qualitative meta-synthesis method, reviewing and analyzing 30 reports and studies conducted on the project using a census-based approach. Findings indicate that organizational fragmentation, weak alignment between the project and local social values and capacities, and the hierarchical structure of rural communities were among the key challenges faced during implementation. Conversely, the promotion of local participation—particularly through capacity-building, skills training, and empowerment of village councils and indigenous institutions—was a noteworthy achievement. The Hablerud experience suggests that future success in similar projects depends on fostering inter-organizational coordination, establishing procedural coherence, systematically integrating non-governmental and private sector capacities, enhancing local community participation, and mobilizing indigenous knowledge and stakeholder capabilities.
کلیدواژهها English
