EVALUATION OF THE CATCHMENT-BASED APPROACH - PILOT STAGE
Pop-up workshops were one of many approaches to collaborative river management that the evaluation identified. These approaches, techniques and tools were included in a Guide to Collaborative Catchment Management (led by CEP) which aimed to provide examples and insights for those people involved in Catchment Initiatives.
Cascade Consulting (lead company), CEP, eftec and Yvonne Rees with Prof. Kevin Collins (Open University) and Dr Nigel Watson (University of Lancaster) undertook the evaluation of the pilot phase of Defra's Catchment Based Approach (CaBA).
The pilots were part of the UK Government's review of river basin planning (RBP) strategy in the context of the European Water Framework Directive (WFD). The Government's aim was that the 25 pilots would provide a means for stakeholders to learn how to develop effective, partnership-based approaches for catchment improvement.
The evaluation used a mixed-method approach including a learning programme for the pilots that was led by CEP. The summative work involved multiple surveys, reviews of outputs, cost/benefit assessment and in-depth case studies (led by CEP) involving interviews, focus groups and document analysis.
The project team worked closely with Defra (Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs) and the Environment Agency team so that the results of the evaluation informed the development of the policy framework for catchment management in England.
For further information see Defra’s project webpage or contact Collingwood Environmental Planning's Paula Orr (Principal Consultant) p.orr@cep.co.uk or Clare Twigger-Ross (Technical Director) c.twigger-ross@cep.co.uk