Proceedings of the 4th Scientific Conference of Rangeland Society of Tanzania (RST)

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Using the rural living lab methodology (RLLM) to enhance community participation in rangeland management
(Rangeland Society of Tanzania (RST), 2022) Khamis Shaban Mwinyimbegu
Community participation in rangeland management is a tricky and controversial process. Current practices of community participation in rangeland management in Africa are abound with dissatisfactions and frustrations on both sides of practitioners and local communities. This paper proposes the application of the rural living lab methodology (RLLM) as an alternative to the traditional methodology of community participation in development programmes. The rural living lab methodology is a new methodology in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is basically a user- centric approach that empowers local communities with appropriate knowledge and skills for sustainable management of rangeland resources. The methodology facilitates the integration of local and external experiences through collaborative research, innovation, and sharing of the new methods that empowers the local communities. The paper’s introduction is followed by an overview of current models of community participation in rangeland management, outline of the models’ deficiencies, and explanation of how the rural living lab methodology could be a viable alternative for sustainable rangeland management in Sub- Saharan Africa.