Institutional Pluralistic Governance: A Case Study of A Research–Action in the Context of the Redd+

Abstract

ABSTRACT REDD+ as a mitigation mechanism requires the engagement of various actors within a paradoxical institutional logic. Tunisia’s commitment to the UN-REDD Program represents an opportunity to reduce its GHG emissions, but also to ensure sustainable forest management, especially as the country is considered to be one of the most vulnerable to climate change in the Mediterranean. Tunisia mostly possesses dry forests, on which some 10% of the poor population in the country depends. Taking into account both the complexity/hybridity of REDD+, the purpose of this article is to explore co-creating social value practices in the case of REDD+ pluralistic governance from the point of view of 1) appropriation/engagement of the local population/stakeholders, and 2) adaptability. Based on a Research–Action (RA) for almost a year (from May 2015- to March 2016), the findings of this study highlight that REDD+ adaptability depends on the transformative activities and the engaging critical reflexive through a collective learning process. Our main contribution is to showcase the interest of the RA process in the conceptualization of REDD+ pluralistic governance such as a sense-making process, by offering new practices co-creators of social value, based on translation, negotiation, active engagement, and multi-actor appropriation.