Sustainable Livelihoods + Participatory Democracy Research in Nicaragua

Challenge

Research addressed critiques of international development initiatives that lack local community relevance and involvement. In 2009, fieldwork was conducted in San Francisco Libre, Nicaragua -- a municipality north of Managua characterized by forests, deforestation, and poverty. The study examined two distinct local empowerment approaches: a community committee and a forestry co-operative.

Approach

The research applied Actor Network Theory as its theoretical lens, using:

• Semi-formal and in-depth interviews
• Participant observation
• Local/national government and NGO documents
• Immersion in Nicaraguan life

Interviews continued until information saturation was reached. Actor Network Theory symmetrically recognizes human and non-human actors, blurring the nature/society divide.

Analysis used grounded methods, open coding, affinity diagrams, actor mapping, and system mapping.

Results

The research outlined political responses and participatory processes in San Francisco Libre, framing a relational community forestry where democratic ecological citizenship emerged.

Publications:

• Master's thesis: Original thesis
• Co-authored with Julie Cupples in the Journal of Latin American Geography: "Collaborating with a Muddy Road and an Ailing Forest..."