3.3.1. Why conduct participatory system mapping?
The aim of the PSM workshop in the diagnostic phase is to describe and diagnose the main WEFe nexus problems in a participatory way. For this purpose, a stakeholder workshop should be conducted, using Participatory System Mapping, which involves designing a Causal Loop Diagram and undertaking a visioning exercise to discuss their vision for the region over the next 10 years. To develop a vision, all participants involved need to communicate their aims and develop a shared picture of the future.
System
Any group of interacting, interrelated, or interdependent parts that form a complex and unified whole that has a specific purpose.
System Thinking
Systems thinking is a way to approach issues by looking at them as systems. Rather than considering each element, or WEFe dimension, in isolation systems thinking focuses on how these elements connect to make a whole.
Participatory System Mapping (PSM)
Is a collaborative method for visualising and analysing complex systems by engaging diverse stakeholders to co-create causal models. This approach helps visualise relationships in systems, supporting communication and collaboration between places and local communities. PSM typically involves creating network diagrams of factors and their causal connections, annotated with salient information from participants such as importance and potential changes.
CLDs are a tool to provide visual representations of dynamic relations of systems’ components. This tool provides a language for articulating the understanding of the dynamic, interconnected nature of our world.
Visioning
Fundamental task in any strategic planning process, and it is fundamental to draw a vision (the destination) in order to be able to define a roadmap (strategic plan) of how to get there. Visioning leads people to focus on the end result (what success look like) rather than on the current difficulties and problems. By getting people to think about future aspirations, creative and out-of-the-box ideas are more likely to emerge.
The process of participatory system thinking and the visioning should be organized in a workshop setting, where relevant stakeholders are invited to collaborate in the creation of a common idea of concerns for the organization, area and/or context.
Who should be invited to participate in the workshop?
All relevant stakeholders identified through the stakeholder analysis (Section 2.2) should be invited to participate in this process. Given the complexity and interconnections within the WEFe nexus, it is critical to involve a diverse range of participants. This includes representatives from the key sectors and stakeholder groups directly influencing or impacted by the nexus, such as:
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Farmers and Agricultural Cooperatives (including small and large-scale producers, irrigators, and those dependent on different water and energy sources);
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Public Administration (representatives from local, regional, and national levels, covering water management, agriculture, energy, and ecosystem protection);
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Energy, Water, and Agricultural Service Providers (private companies, utilities, and technology providers working on water efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainable agriculture);
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Knowledge Providers and Researchers (universities, research institutes, and technical experts involved in water, energy, agriculture, and ecosystems research);
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Civil Society and NGOs (organizations focused on environmental conservation, community development, and social equity);
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Ecosystem and Nature Conservation Actors (those involved in biodiversity conservation, land use planning, and ecosystem services management).
To ensure a balanced and inclusive dialogue, participants should represent a variety of characteristics within each group (e.g., large and small producers, local vs. central administration) and emphasize gender balance. Additionally, involving stakeholders from all WEFe sectors and at different levels (local, regional, national) will promote comprehensive and innovative solutions to nexus challenges.