Summary

The lead of the first Work Package (WP1) in OPTAIN coordinates and harmonizes
stakeholder activities and ensures the link between the 14 OPTAIN case studies, research
and modelling work across all WPs. At the start of the OPTAIN project, WP1 facilitates
the establishment of Multi-Actor Reference Groups (MARG) in each case study and
provides communication techniques to encourage active stakeholder engagement for
the lifetime of OPTAIN.
Stakeholder engagement is important because a sound scientific solution not
necessarily results in solving a real-world problem. Key lesson learned is that
engagement of stakeholders is essential during all phases of the project: the phase of
the identification of the problem, assessment of the problem, scenarios to solve the
problem and in the phase of implementing the solution.
The purpose of the stakeholder mapping activity is to identify possible and relevant
stakeholders for the reference group, the MARG. Applying a top-down approach, the
different case study leaders have been responsible for identifying stakeholders and to
categorise them according to pre-defined categories. The pre-defined categories were
used as a framework to enable a comparative analytical approach of the case studies, as
presented in this report. The various stakeholders may or may not be contacted as part
of the mapping exercise. More relevant stakeholders are likely to "appear" during the
project period. Then, the concerning stakeholder information should be added to this
table for project record.
The need for case study leaders (CSL) to consider the intended engagement role for
stakeholders in the project research cycle was emphasized when identifying and
prioritising stakeholders for involvement. It is expected that the number of stakeholders
involved in each case study will increase during the project period and that the current
stakeholders identified for participation in the MARGs may change. This stakeholder
mapping report is prepared prior to the actual engagement activities in the project.