An integrated participatory framework for WEFE nexus strategic planning: The Jordan Valley case study

Area of Science:

• Environmental science and policy
• Sustainable development studies
• Transboundary water resource management

Background:

• The Jordan Valley (JV) faces complex challenges at the intersection of water, energy, food, and ecosystem (WEFE) dynamics.
• Acute nexus problems and historical conflicts necessitate inclusive stakeholder engagement in strategic planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose an integrated framework for participatory strategic planning within the WEFE nexus.
• To empower stakeholders and foster fair collaboration in addressing regional challenges.

Main Methods:

• Utilized living lab sessions with Causal Loop diagrams to visualize WEFE interdependencies and prioritize challenges.
• Conducted community capacity assessments to identify barriers and local priorities.
• Performed gap analysis to define actionable targets for resilience and adaptation.

Main Results:

• Highlighted pressing challenges, priorities, and leverage points across different territories within the JV.
• Revealed significant disparities in priorities and capacities due to diverse socio-political, environmental, and economic contexts.
• Outlined pathways for enhancing resilience and adaptation to intertwined regional crises.

Conclusions:

• The proposed participatory framework facilitates decentralized, coordinated decision-making for WEFE nexus challenges.
• The methodologies and framework are adaptable for replication in other regions facing similar climate and resource challenges.