Multi-stakeholder dialogue study discussed at the Civicus international civil society week in Colombia

The session was organized on behalf of ISS and the Task Team on CSO Development Effectiveness and Enabling Environment (Task Team).

Central to the session were the findings of the Comparative Studies of Multi-stakeholder Initiatives (MSI study). The MSI study was commissioned by the Task Team and conducted by Kees Biekart and Alan Fowler together with a group of researchers from Costa Rica, Indonesia, Kenya and Kyrgyzstan.

The question of what factors make Multi-stakeholder Initiatives (MSIs) successful is becoming increasingly important, not least due to the fact that MSIs are expected to play an important role in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. 

The session was attended by development practitioners, researchers, and activists, who work in various corners of the world. Approximately two thirds had some experience working in or with MSIs. During the session participants discussed the various success factors for multi-stakeholder dialogues. The session covered the importance of country conditions - including cultural, political and economic conditions  - and commitment, including the willingness to invest time and resources. Attention was drawn to the importance of ‘champions’ within stakeholder groups, the relational competencies required of all parties, and the role of the so-called ‘interlocutor’ or the entity that hosts, facilitates, leads or acts as a secretariat or platform for an MSI.