Are stronger local governance systems the answer to responsible natural resource development?

The food, fuel, and materials that sustain our way of life come from Indigenous and local communities. How communities are involved in decisions about resource development impacts our global capacity to responsibly manage and produce them, and to share benefits and manage risks over time. Exploring how local decision-making shapes outcomes for communities, governments, and markets.

Natural resource development is a catalyst for change. Mining, agriculture, forestry, renewables, energy development and even conservation activities contribute to significant social and environmental impacts and benefits for local stakeholders. In this context, the influence of local governance systems can be significant.

Where local governance is effective and inclusive, there is a greater likelihood we will see managed and mitigated human rights and environmental impacts; shared economic, social and governance benefits for local stakeholders and rightsholders; and stable operating environments. However, in these contexts of change, local governance systems are often not positioned to lead or engage in decisions. As a result, it is common to see:

• Misalignment on what inclusive local governance is and the role of different stakeholders in supporting it.

• Communities that are under resourced to design, develop and share governance systems in the context of natural resource development.

• Local governance systems that do not reflect broad-based community priorities, interests and perspectives.

• Disconnected decision-making systems that do not consider or provide an entry point for local governance, including poor consideration for Indigenous rightsholders.

Practitioners and leading organizations have developed commitments and guidance for decision-making about natural resources. While there is some agreement about the value of strong local governance, stakeholders and rights holders continue to struggle to make decisions about natural resource development that respects rights and result in equitable and sustainable development. Yet translating these commitments into consistent local practice remains a challenge.

Yet, natural resource decisions are made every day. From local community to producer, to civil society, to purchasers, the people who are engaging in these processes have important insights into the tools, resources, and practices that enable improved outcomes for people and planet.

These practitioners are the people who are actively working to strengthen local governance systems. They include people working in both formal and informal roles from a variety of stakeholder groups.

Where The Resource Exchange Fits

The Resource Exchange connects people to the tools, knowledge, resources and relationships they need to drive local decisions about natural resource development. It is a global network that supports inclusive, local land and natural resource governance through knowledge sharing, capacity building and relationships.

Our vision is that Indigenous and local communities are included in decisions about natural resource development and that resources can be managed in resilient and sustainable ways between communities, governments, and businesses.

Since 2022, The Resource Exchange has co-designed and implemented an approach and methodology that brings together people working on local governance from across jurisdictions and stakeholder groups.

We have achieved this by testing and refining our approach to learning activities and capacity building through 40+ learning activities and active participation from 200+ practitioners from around the world.

We have also worked together to articulate the elements that contribute to inclusive local governance. These elements may look slightly different in each jurisdiction, but this global summary helps tie practitioners together and supports learning and practical application.

Together, this shared framework supports learning across regions while remaining grounded in local priorities.

Get Involved

Stay connected as we continue to share insights from this work and support groups in specific regions. Subscribe to The Resource Exchange newsletter and blog, and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for updates, practical examples, and perspectives from across the network.

If you are interested in getting involved, reach out to us here. We would welcome a conversation about how we can support your work.