Social Learning: Methods Matter but Facilitation and Supportive Context Are Key—Insights from Water Governance in Sweden

This paper analyses and discusses how to what extent social learning (SL), as a means address complex adaptive problems in water governance, can be enabled local regional multi-stakeholder collaborations. Using multi-method, qualitative, collaborative, self-reflective case study design, the conditions, challenges, enablers for SL were studied, comparing three complementary cases of voluntary multi-actor platforms (water councils) improve quality West Sweden. These councils established foster implementation Water Frame Directive and—on basis without formal decision mandate or responsibility—to implement measures act. participant observation, evaluation workshops, survey, methods employed by councils, which founded on trust-based approaches, assessed based they contributed trust learning. Observed outcomes included an increased number participants, sub-projects, groups, measures. Respondents mentioned better dialogue, higher commitment, broader knowledge positive outcomes. Based this, we conclude that there is need neutral spaces meetings led process facilitators, enabling cross-sectorial cross-level exchanges, not common Swedish management.