10. “Describe how the initiative has facilitated the involvement of indigenous and/or economically marginalized segments of the community in its governance. What specific elements of the initiative promote community empowerment, community co-ownership, and participatory decision-making?”
While social inclusion is another important criterion for selection, it is also relevant for the initiative to present its governance structure. Governance is about the participation of the community in the initiative. For better sustainability, it is necessary to involve the community from the planning stage of the intervention. The community will be able to gather a sense of ownership right from the beginning. It also expresses the level of empowerment they will have while giving feedback to project decisions made. If you community is involved in planning, implementing and monitoring the initiative, it feels more empowered to take responsibility. Responsibility leads to ownership and finally to sustainability.
In the winning nomination form of the Cambodia-based Tmatboey Community Protected Area Committee working ecotourism explains how it pursues social inclusion:
