Effectiveness and Inclusiveness of Participatory Governance: Evidence from Church Forests and Exclosures in Northwest...

This study assesses the perceived participatory governance effectiveness of Ethiopia's church forests versus state-led exclosure systems using a multidimensional Participatory Governance Effectiveness Index (PGEI) across five dimensions: Participation, Rule Enforcement, Adaptive Governance, Equity and Inclusion, and Legitimacy and Trust. Drawing on mixed-methods data from household surveys and participatory observations, church forests consistently outperformed exclosures across all dimensions, with the largest differences observed in Legitimacy and Trust, Equity and Inclusion, and Adaptive Governance. Women and youth consistently rated governance lower, particularly in participation and enforcement, revealing persistent inclusion deficits. The study demonstrates that while cultural traditions provide legitimacy to forest governance, they do not in themselves secure inclusive participation in decision-making. Evidence from church forests and exclosures suggests that integrating customary authority with inclusive practices could offer a more resilient and equitable pathway for forest restoration.