The cooperative research experimented in COWAM 2 recognises that there is no sharp division between the production of knowledge, and the making of decisions: decisions are actually being prepared already in the phase of knowledge production. In this respect, late stakeholder consultation bearing simply upon the final results of research and proposed solutions based on these results brings only little progress in terms of governance. A genuine change demands inclusive governance in each phase of knowledge-building, from research to demonstration, through to decision.
Because local stakeholders possess important dimensions of knowledge about their local situation, and because they have the capacity to integrate the knowledge produced - whatever its source - into the local context where it will be applied, in COWAM 2 they were considered as key social enquirers. Their participation in research activities makes it possible to embed knowledge into a strategic perspective, into action.
