Citizen Actors as Participants in Collaborative Watershed Governance in the Koitajoki Catchment Area

Abstract

The impacts of human activities are evident in the historical layers of the Koitajoki watershed, reflecting the environmental state and its development over time. Water traversing the watershed acts as a mediator, intertwining environmental vitality, diverse human interests, local history, global trends, and their intersections. Examined through these relationships, water emerges as a multifaceted governance subject, necessitating inclusive interaction. A prevalent model addressing this need is collaborative governance.

In my research, I address the question of how citizen actors’ participation is realized in the collaborative effort aimed at promoting water cooperation within the Koitajoki–Koitere collaboration group. Literature identifies the potential of collaborative governance to enhance local communities’ influence in decision-making processes. The research data comprises semi-structured interviews with participating and non-participating citizen actors and organizing entities of the cooperation group. As a result, I identify three key thematic areas through theory-driven content analysis. 

My research indicates that collaborative efforts face procedural and structural challenges, hindering full-scale initiation. This creates a backdrop for citizen participation, challenged by limited resources, adaptation to local operational culture, regional power imbalances, and the tensions arising from these interconnections. The study provides insights into the application of watershed-based collaborative governance in the Finnish water context.