ABSTRACT
This chapter examines ways in which communities can be helped to gain control over natural resources, allowing more effective and efficient management. For people to become active in environmental care a basic condition is that they have the authority and responsibility to do so. Much presumed “lack of care” arises because people do not feel in charge or, indeed, do not have the power to act. Many institutional arrangements for the management of resources do not correspond to units of production and benefit. This makes little sense, since for a group of people to spend time and effort in environmental care they must perceive a clear link between the quality of management and the magnitude of benefits in return. Facilitators and matchmakers can be trained, and many development organizations are beginning to do just that. Even some aid agencies are currently examining how they can best “institutionalize” their support for PEC initiatives.
