Community participation in the implementation process: Barbados - A case study in the management of coastal areas

This research examines the role of community participation in the implementation of coastal management programs and projects for Barbados. It aims to illustrate the value and challenges involved in employing participatory approaches, and further seeks to establish a mechanism for accommodating the diverse needs and perspectives of communities. A traditional Barbadian fishing village was selected as the site for a pilot project. Stakeholders were engaged in defining the issues and research agenda. Tampering with fishpots was a specific issue that the community wished to address. The step-wise approach employed included: a literature review; policy analysis; formal and informal interviews; analysis of a St. Lucian community participation initiative; stakeholder identification; and a pilot study. The pilot provides a model for community participation in establishing linkages that contribute ultimately to sustainability. The DMS Triangle was created to provide a conceptual framework for integrating the bottom-up and top-down approaches to implementing participatory projects.