Research Johan Bastiaensen

Abstract

The research project addresses the need to transform the allegedly environmentally and socially undesirable and destructive dynamics in Nicaraguan agricultural frontier. It focuses on the possible role of providers of credit, technical assistance and other complementary services. It aims to acknowledge the risks and limitations of mainstream technical-economic approaches that tend to understand transformation to sustainability as a straightforward linear process, with clear consensual objectives to be achieved by top-down manageable strategies of farmers and other relevant actors. The research adopts a "territorial development pathways" approach, to address the political nature of processes of transformation to sustainability. It aims to identify the structural underpinnings driving territorial dynamics and explicitly takes into account farmers' interrelated perspectives, motivations and values. This perspective contributes to the design of embedded financial strategies towards more inclusive and environmentally sound transformative changes of current territorial dynamics. The research is based on a mixed methods approach, highlighting the importance of the active involvement of different actors and the collective construction of knowledge as a key mechanism for the transformation of territorial pathways.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Bastiaensen Johan
• Fellow: Romero López Milagros

Research team(s)

• Development processes, actors and policies

Project website

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

In response to growing concern on the detrimental impacts that modern society is having on the earth's life support systems, scholars have begun adopting the 'Anthropocene' concept referring to the geological epoch of humanity's physical imprint on the planet. In response, policy-makers have sought to transition to a 'green economy' in which environmental problems are addressed through economic growth based around technological improvements in material and energy efficiency and the internalization of environmental values through market-based solutions. However, social scientists have been quick to point out the historically uneven political and economic systems, along classed, racialized, and gendered lines, which shape how the Anthropocene gets reproduced in practice. By adopting the recent conceptualization of the 'Plantationocene', this research explores the way 'green economy' strategies, such as carbon and biodiversity offsetting and ecotourism, are still informed by the disciplining power of historical plantation logics, rooted in efficiency, calculability, predictability, and controllability. Through the use of multi-disciplinary methods and two case studies in Indonesia and India, this study aims to advance crucial insights on how plantation logics are reinforced or defied through these strategies in responding to dynamic and uncertain socio-ecological conditions. As such, this research lies at the heart of clarifying important debates within sustainability science. GENERAL - 1

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Hecken Gert
• Co-promoter: Bastiaensen Johan
• Fellow: Kolinjivadi Vijay Krishnan

Research team(s)

• Development processes, actors and policies

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This project represents a research contract awarded by the University of Antwerp. The supervisor provides the Antwerp University research mentioned in the title of the project under the conditions stipulated by the university.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Bastiaensen Johan

Research team(s)

• Development processes, actors and policies

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The project addresses the global-local institutional dynamics that generate the socially and environmentally unsustainable cattle development pathway. In Latin America, this pathway is the main driver of deforestation, contributing to climate change, the destruction of critical biodiversity stocks and the dispossession of indigenous people. The research specifically focusses on the agricultural frontier around the Bosawas Nature Reserve in Northern Nicaragua and consists of an action-research process in cooperation with the microfinance organization Fondo de Desarrollo Local and the environmental NGO Centro Humboldt. The project analyzes the potential of a 'Green Microfinance Plus' program (loans + technical assistance + Payments for Ecosystem Services), and connects to broader reflections in local deliberative fora promoted by the project and a citizen science approach to local climate data generation and use. In terms of research methodology, a multidisciplinary mixed methods set-up combines inputs from development sociology and economics with the Agrarian Systems approach, and makes use of an original simulation game informed by local data. The research aims to co-identify in-roads for policies of 'institutional entrepreneurship', offering opportunities to affect relevant institutional processes to transform today's detrimental pathway in the direction of more sustainable, equitable and climate-sensible agriculture, less dependent on deforestation and cheap land. The objective is to develop scientific outputs and policy proposals (in particular also for environmentally responsible rural finance) that contribute to change towards sustainability in the Nicaraguan agricultural frontier and beyond.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Bastiaensen Johan
• Co-promoter: Van Hecken Gert

Research team(s)

• Development processes, actors and policies

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Our goal is not to develop specific solutions to specific problems. Rather, we will leverage the cross-disciplinary nature of our consortium to create a flexible and adaptive set of tools, protocols and concepts to promote citizen science on ecosystem services (ESS) for poverty alleviation. As such, the project aims at nothing less than reconceptualising the approach to managing ESS for poverty alleviation.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Bastiaensen Johan

Research team(s)

• Development processes, actors and policies

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

During the last decade, the conservation tool of 'Payments for Ecosystem Services' (PES) has attracted growing attention in both academic and policy circles. The approach looks appealing: land users, often poorly motivated to protect nature on their land, may be encouraged to do so through direct and conditional payments from interested consumers/buyers (e.g. local urban water users paying upstream farmers for land conservation). PES mechanisms are also increasingly seen as promising tools for rural poverty alleviation in developing countries. PES schemes are, however, not uncontested. Despite the growing literature on PES, there is still a theoretical and empirical knowledge gap on the socio-environmental and political-economic consequences of PES schemes and on the way payment incentives influence individual and collective decisions on land use and sustained pro-environment behaviour. Through comparative case studies in Nicaragua, the research project contributes to a more comprehensive and holistic agenda on the appropriateness and socio-ecological consequences of PES schemes.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Bastiaensen Johan
• Fellow: Van Hecken Gert

Research team(s)

• Development processes, actors and policies

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

By studying specific state institutions, this research project aims at contributing to the theoretical debates on the nature of the state in Africa. It therefore discusses the following issues which are part of this commission: government/political systems; political sciences; public policy/administrations; political sociology.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Reyntjens Filip
• Co-promoter: Bastiaensen Johan
• Fellow: Titeca Kristof

Research team(s)

• Development processes, actors and policies

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Conceptual and empirical reflections on the role and the varied reality of microfinance institutions in Latin American countries where so-called "New left" government have come or returned to power -giving rise to different contrasting relationships between microfinance, governments and social movements, going from constructive cooperation to conflict and competition.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Bastiaensen Johan

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Today's most popular instruments for ecosystem services and poverty alleviation overlook the complexity of socio-ecological systems. Stressing the significance of institutions and local actors' construction of pathways of change, we analyse the need for, and potential of, a more integrated approach for a more effective contribution to sustainable and inclusive rural development.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Bastiaensen Johan
• Fellow: Huybrechs Frédéric

Research team(s)

• Development processes, actors and policies

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The main hypothesis is that the current global context generates new pressures on and threats for family farming affecting their property rights over natural resources and participation in wealth creation. The main objective is to generate evidence based policy for rural development, focusing on the role of family-farming and lts relation with other types of agricultural production.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Bastiaensen Johan

Research team(s)

• Development processes, actors and policies

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This project represents a formal service agreement between the parties Universiteit Antwerpen and CDR. UAntwerpen provides CDR research results on the "Study of the Dutch cooperation in the sector of microfinancing in Nicaragua" under the conditions as stipulated in the present contract.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Bastiaensen Johan

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Nicaragua is the most rural county of Central America; the only one where the agricultural sector is growing. But rural poverty remains high as growth tends to be exclusionary, leaving behind the land-poor, women and youth, with difficulties to connect to the dynamic sectors and often dependent on non-agricultural activities. The FDL and Nitlapán have developed significant financial and non-financial services to support the development of small scale rural enterprises. They now face important challenges to further improve their products and impact by forging more operational synergy among their programs as well as with allied organizations, and by being more effective in broader incidence in the local and (inter)national development community. The project pilots an innovative program of training-action research, focused upon the systematization of FDL-Nitlapán and similar interventions, and involving all the relevant stakeholders from clients to beneficiaries over local professional staff up to the national level directors. This should make FDL-Nitlapán a more effective 'teaming organization' and create a 'sustainable platform for social leaming among local producers-enterprises and the variety of development actors. It will also contribute to the (inter)national debate about methods to support inclusive rural development.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Bastiaensen Johan

Research team(s)

• Development processes, actors and policies

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Using land dynamics as its prism, this research project aims to understand 1) how opportunity structures - defined by norms, institutions, actors and implementation processes at the local, national and international level - interact with localized life-worlds and the agency of local actors; 2) how externally induced reforms may impact upon this interaction. Two case study countries will be considered: Rwanda and Burundi. The project adopts an actor-oriented perspective that aims to capture the complex interactions between human agency and the local institutional environment. It will use a combination of three disciplinary approaches: development anthropology, development economics, and law and development. The three components will be strongly linked and will fit into an overarching interdisciplinary methodology.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Reyntjens Filip
• Co-promoter: Bastiaensen Johan
• Co-promoter: Vandenhole Wouter
• Co-promoter: Vranken Jan

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

In an interdisciplinary approach, the environmental worldview and behaviours of children are researched in Flanders and in countries in development. An important part of the project focuses on the influence of person based variables and the social context. The impact of environmental education initiatives are assessed, focussing on differences between cultures, between subcultures and between urban and rural societies.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Petegem Peter
• Co-promoter: Bastiaensen Johan
• Co-promoter: Loots Ilse

Research team(s)

• EduBROn

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Poverty is conceived as a recurrent process of exclusion from resources and opportunities. This exclusion is largely determined by socio-political networks and the individual embeddedness therein. Therefore, sustainable poverty reduction requires the opening of socio-political structures in favour of the excluded. In this research we want to study how and to which extent anti-poverty programmes can influence local exclusion processes.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Bastiaensen Johan

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Water systems in Central America suffer from increasing pressure caused by the absence of integral water management and weak public institutions. In the context of a number of pilot projects in the region, the project will investigate if and to what extent the new concept of "Payment for Environmental Services" offers perspectives to improve upon the current situation by introducing market principles.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Bastiaensen Johan
• Fellow: Van Hecken Gert

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Evaluation and consultancy for the South Cooperation Program of the NGO Broederlijk Delen: analysis of its strategy and the operational instruments of community strengthening in the light of the recommendation of the 2002 program evaluation. Two reports are expected: one about the steps taken bij Broederlijk Delen to operationalise its concept of community strengthening within its partner program (relations with partner NGOs and target groups); a second one about the conceptualisation of 'community strengthening' in the context of the the programs for rural development and democratisation

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Bastiaensen Johan
• Co-promoter: De Herdt Tom

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Year '0' of the VLIR program of institutional university development cooperation with the Universidad Rafaël Landivar in Guatemala. During this year the different project components as well as the planning of the first five year program will be determined in common agreement with the local university and Flemish academics.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Bastiaensen Johan

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

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Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Embrechts Rob
• Co-promoter: Bastiaensen Johan

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Bastiaensen Johan
• Co-promoter: De Herdt Tom

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Bastiaensen Johan

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The project aims to establish operators concerning the social embedding of poverty alleviation projects. Given that poverty is essentially the result of processes of social exclusion, it is importat to investigate how a project is instutionally embedded. Th research should establish policy instruments for the evaluation of projects.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Embrechts Rob
• Co-promoter: Bastiaensen Johan

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Evaluation of rural development programmas financed by FUNDESA in South-Chili (Foundation for rural Development)

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Bastiaensen Johan

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The policy document tries to develop a general framework for the analysis and evaluation of different types of projectinitiatives in the rural sector in line with the general policy options of the NGO. A preliminary diagnosis of a relevant sample of previously financed projects is also undertaken. The purpose of the document is to contribute to a clarification of policy with respect to the financing and evaluation of rural projects

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Bastiaensen Johan

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Starting from a review of the theoretical literature of (new) institutional economics (transaction costs and collective action) as well as economic sociology (the embeddedness-thesis), the challenges of institution building for alternative finance and its potentional and limitations in terms of poverty alleviation will be analysed. The theoretical analysis will be developed with reference to practical experiences with non-conventional financial institution building (n Nicaragua and possibly in Congo, Tanzania, India)

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Bastiaensen Johan

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This project consists in the writing of a book on the experience of the rural development institute Nitlapán, Universidad Centroaméricana of Managua, with the creation and consolidation of a sustainable rural financial system serving poor and medium-sized producers.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Bastiaensen Johan

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Marysse Stefaan
• Co-promoter: Bastiaensen Johan

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Marysse Stefaan
• Co-promoter: Bastiaensen Johan

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This two-year master program focuses on economics and regional development of the central-american countries. It attracts students with experience of the different central-american countries.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Marysse Stefaan
• Co-promoter: Bastiaensen Johan

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This project aims to provide contributions that concern both content and research-technical aspects with regard to a study of the policy for economic projects. It is a study of the principles and the practice of financing economic projects by 'Broederlijk Delen' (Sharing like Brothers).

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Marysse Stefaan
• Co-promoter: Bastiaensen Johan

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This project consists of (a) the writing of a working paper on the criticisms of financing by donations in economic projects and the possible consequences for project policy, and (b) of the elaboration of an analysis scheme for the screening of a selected number of projects.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Marysse Stefaan
• Co-promoter: Bastiaensen Johan

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

NITLAPAN is a center for training and research capicity building in the areas of small farmers and the urban informal sector. The hypothesis that we test by training research officers is the viability of the small farmers by looking at the bottlenecks of their production systems. We do the same in the area of the urban informal sector.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Marysse Stefaan
• Co-promoter: Bastiaensen Johan

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project