Preparation and communication are the key to success at every stage of the process.

Preparation gives you a sound foundation. Spend time establishing the institutional framework, stakeholder and social consensus, partnership structure and agreed timescales. Time spent preparing is time well spent. Follow our simple Checklist to help make the most of the preparation process.

Communication enables partners and stakeholders to visualise problems, potential futures, solutions, and to facilitate the inclusion of a diverse range of social actors. Documents should not be over technical, be clearly written and in a widely accessible style and format. Keep it simple.

A successful planning process can only be achieved when:

• A core group of well informed and supportive stakeholders actively support the process
• There is sufficient institutional capacity to prepare the plan and to implement its policies
• Government commitment to the plan is expressed by both legislation and the delegation of the necessary authority, along with the required financial resources
• High-level objectives that address both societal and environmental conditions are adopted and used to measure the success of the plan
• Relevant transboundary commitment, capacity and effective cooperation mechanisms have been put in place

Meeting the Challenge

Successful governance practice will

• Include stakeholder involvement
• Integrate and harmonize multiple interests
• Have approval at the highest political level including inter-ministerial coordination for transboundary collaboration
• Align with relevant plans and policies, including climate change adaptation and mitigation, transport, water quality and biodiversity
• Use an effective regulatory framework (Article 8.1 of the ICZM Protocol)
• Integrate both land and sea interactions (Article 3 of the ICZM Protocol)
• Involve transboundary and international cooperation (Articles 14.1 and 28 of the ICZM Protocol) where appropriate
• Regularly review and update governance plans in accordance with evolving conditions (Article 18.4 of the ICZM Protocol)

Preparation and communication are the key to success at every stage of the process.

Preparation gives you a sound foundation. Spend time establishing the institutional framework, stakeholder and social consensus, partnership structure and agreed timescales. Time spent preparing is time well spent. Follow our simple road map to help make the most of the preparation process.

Communication enables partners and stakeholders to visualise problems, potential futures, solutions, and to facilitate the inclusion of a diverse range of social actors. Documents should not be over technical, be clearly written and in a widely accessible style and format. Keep it simple.

A successful planning process can only be achieved when:

• A core group of well informed and supportive stakeholders actively support the process
• There is sufficient institutional capacity to prepare the plan and to implement its policies
• Government commitment to the plan is expressed by both legislation and the delegation of the necessary authority, along with the required financial resources
• High-level objectives that address both societal and environmental conditions are adopted and used to measure the success of the plan
• Relevant transboundary commitment, capacity and effective cooperation mechanisms have been put in place