Participatory climate research : impacts on the medium-sized city Kota, India

Abstract: This thesis aims at increasing knowledge about climate research in developing countries and how research can be constructed, implemented and evaluated to be useful for local capacity building and climate action. This has been achieved by studying a concrete research project in Kota, India. Semi-structured interviews and one workshop has been conducted with researchers, stakeholders and one research financier to identify their perspectives on the studied research project as well as future participatory climate research. In the analysis, some identified opportunities for climate research were local knowledge and engagement, stakeholder awareness about the studies issues, a common platform to discuss research outcomes and research that presents possible solutions to local problems. Identified barriers were a lack of representation of specific groups, organizational problems among stakeholders, complex texts and a lack of policies or guidelines. This thesis also suggests some important factors to consider when performing participatory projects, such as planning the project carefully with a thought about timing, evaluation and involvement of many societal groups.