Advancing Co-governance through Framing Processes: Insights from Action-Research in the Requena-Utiel Aquifer (Eastern Spain)

In recent years, co-management has been highlighted in the scientific literature as fundamental strategy for groundwater governance. However, the development of such an institutional architecture is complex and presents important pitfalls and challenges. Based on participatory action research, in this article we analyse the recent experience of co-management in the Requena-Utiel aquifer (Spain). We used a cognitive framing approach, developed through interviews with local stakeholders, to analyse the conflicting visions on the aquifer management. Then we developed an interactive framing approach, through workshops, to achieve a shared understanding of aquifer co-management. This was done with the aim to facilitate a consensus building process among users, as a basis on which to support future self-governance measures. The research demonstrates the usefulness of these approaches to promote collective action and co-management in groundwater. It shows the key role that information and transparency play in gaining shared understanding and improving co-management; but also the difficulties of users in establishing agreements that question the current status quo on the aquifer.