Steering towards action plans

In 2023, XPaths embarked on the final phase of a long and fruitful participatory process; engaging with multiple actors to co-design action plans (Phase 3).

Phases of XPaths Dialogues

We're currently fine-tuning the newly created action plans for the case study of Brazil, molding them into practical guides that steer us towards a sustainable future in the context of drylands.

Curious about how XPaths are turning Dialogues into Action Plans?

...Scroll down to learn from our Brazilian case study.

XPaths' Endeavour for a Sustainable Brazil

In the span of 18 months, we engaged with over 100 participants in Brazil throughout six multi-actor dialogues to better understand its semi-arid region.

In May 2023, our final dialogue for the case study of Brazil took place in Petrolina-PE. Here, the XPaths team partnered with the Nexus project and 20 participants to co-design action plans for transforming the São Francisco River Basin and Transposition Area, key regions in Brazil's semi-arid landscape.

This map shows the study area for XPaths in Brazil: the São Francisco River Hydrographic Region. It covers four physiographic zones: Upper, Middle, Sub-Middle, and Lower. 

First, XPaths team embarked on its journey towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by addressing the unique challenges present in Brazil's semi-arid region.

We see the pursuit of sustainability as an ongoing endeavor, not only to meet the global goals, but also to tackle the pressing problems at local scale by understanding their systemic roots" said XPaths doctoral student Taís González.

Our approach was guided by the 3H4SDG framework, enabling us to foster lively discussions that were deepened by the inclusion of varied perspectives (Phase 2). These dialogues shed light on prevalent concerns and aspirations, as well as initiatives already making a difference in the region. This was the starting point for crafting action plans.

XPaths used the 3H4SDG approach; sparking dialogues about future aspirations (STEP 1) and present concerns (STEP 2) accross scales.

Subsequently, XPaths researchers selected the most recurrent concerns articulated in the dialogues at local and regional scale.

Envisioning Change: The STEP 3 of the 3H4SDG approach refers to the actionable and systemic changes needed towards sustainable futures (STEP 3) across scales.

Following up on the 3H4SDG participatory process, XPaths researchers and participants built together Causal Loop Diagrams (CLDs). CLDs are visual maps depicting the complex dynamics of dryland systems (See photos below).

A snapshot of our 3H4SDG participatory process, weaving global SDGs with local needs. This dedicated assembly of diverse minds shapes our approach to sustainable solutions in Brazilian's drylands. Photo: Taís Gonzalez

A multi-scale approach was vital in creating these diagrams, leading to the development of Integrative CLDs (iCLDs). iCLDs draw together elements from the CLDs built in previous dialogues, providing a holistic view of sustainability challenges, their root causes, and the patterns that hold them in place.

Our iCLDs work like a roadmap, guiding us to pinpoint potential systemic interventions needed to transition towards a sustainable future." Said XPaths Project leader Ana Paula Aguiar

A glimpse at the participatory process of building Casual Loop diagrams; providing a holistic, multi-scale insight into sustainability challenges. Photo:Taís Gonzalez

By voting on and grouping together common themes, our participants selected three central problems from the iCLDs. A series of possible actions to address these problems and achieve sustainable futures were listed and structured into four groups.

XPaths team and participants converge in Petrolina-PE, Brazil to co-design action plans towards sustainable futures. Photo: Taís Gonzalez

XPaths Dialogues with community representatives from Western Bahia followed a similar process, highlighting the importance of local and traditional communities' rights in our path to a just sustainable future. Taís González, a member of our XPaths team in Brazil, focuses her doctoral research on these key perspectives.

A moment captured during XPaths dialogues where participants explore the 'SDG Impact Assessment Tool', a resource to understand SDG interlinkages and assess potential impacts. Photo: Taís Gonzalez

Participants in XPaths dialogues had the opportunity to train with the 'SDG Impact Assessment Tool'. This free digital tool is a great resource for understanding the interlinkages among the SDGs. In our context, this tool served as a self-assessment measure, allowing us to visualize the potential impacts of our selected actions on the progress towards the SDGs.

To wrap up our multi-actor dialogues, we showcased a theatrical play derived from our creative and participatory process. Following the performance, a thought-provoking discussion ensued. Our participants reflected on the identified sustainability challenges in their region, delving into local struggles and brainstorming potential solutions to overcome them.

The script was a collaborative effort, co-produced with a theater group led by artist Fernanda Luz, in close partnership with XPaths project coordinator Ana Paula Dutra de Aguiar and doctoral student Taís González.

Our XPaths Dialogues owe its success to the relentless commitment and contributions of our participants since 2021, to whom we extend our deepest gratitude.

Stay tuned as we continue sharing our research-action process on sustainable transformations in drylands.