Assessing community values of civil society organizations led coastal ecotourism conservation projects on climate change context

The study examines the key community values defining the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) institutional climate capacity of coastal communities in the context of ecotourism-based conservation projects along the Maharashtra coastal belt, India. The study proposes conceptualized dimensions based on the Situation-Actor-Process-Learning (SAP-L) model. Data was collected through consultative approaches involving CSOs, NGOs, and SHGs, using focused group discussions and key informant interviews in the conservation project areas. The study evaluates the CSOs institutional strengths, weaknesses and determines key factors influence their institutional climate capacities. The findings indicate that CSO expertise and collaborations foster communication and trust among ecotourism beneficiaries, incorporating sociocultural factors and promoting climate action orientation. Planning and budgetary processes assist in need-based scenario planning for CSO management decisions. The outcomes contribute to understanding CSO's climate capacity in coastal ecotourism, informing policy and practice. The study also emphasizes the need for further quantitative research in this area.