BukSU and IIED Strengthen Partnership for Governance Assessment Tool Validation

BukSU and IIED Strengthen Partnership for Governance Assessment Tool Validation Malaybalay City, Bukidnon — Bukidnon State University (BukSU), in collaboration with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), is set to implement the validation phase of its Governance Assessment Tool, an initiative that promotes inclusive and participatory management of protected areas.

An online coordination meeting was conducted earlier today to discuss the scope of the collaboration. The meeting was attended by Dr. Joy M. Mirasol, University President and Lead Convenor; Mr. Phil Franks of IIED; and Ms. Joanne Vivien B. Necosia and Ms. Astred Jill A. Catolpos, members of the BukSU Institute for Environmental Governance (IEG) team.

This joint initiative forms part of IIED’s continuing efforts to strengthen inclusive and participatory governance in the management of protected areas worldwide. The activity focuses on refining and validating the Governance Assessment Tool, which was initially piloted in 2024, to ensure its adaptability and long-term sustainability for use in other conservation sites.

The International Institute for Environment and Development or IIED is an independent policy and action research organization based in London, United Kingdom, dedicated to promoting sustainable development and equitable natural resource governance across the globe. IIED collaborates with governments, civil society, and academic partners to enhance local capacities for effective governance and promote the fair and inclusive management of environmental resources.

BukSU’s partnership with IIED began in 2017 through the GIZed (Governance, Institutions, and Zones of Effective Decentralization) initiative. This early collaboration sought to strengthen local governance systems and foster inclusive decision-making processes within environmental management frameworks in the Philippines. Since then, BukSU has become an active academic partner in implementing community-based governance programs, capacity-building workshops, and policy dialogues for local and Indigenous communities. The partnership between BukSU and IIED has steadily expanded from governance research and local case documentation to the development of innovative assessment tools such as the current Governance Assessment Tool. Supported by the leadership of Dr. Mirasol, this endeavor strengthens BukSU’s commitment to advancing environmental research, community engagement, and policy innovation for biodiversity conservation in shaping participatory governance models. (Ms. Astred Jill A. Catolpos/Head, PTO & Ms. Joanne Vivien B. Necosia/Director, PMS)