What is the role of the Itajaí River Basin Committee in water resource management?

The Itajaí River Basin Committee addresses the challenge of balancing environmental sustainability, economic needs, and social equity by serving as a participatory body. Its main functions include creating and implementing water management plans. This inclusive approach aims to ensure that water policies are both equitable and sustainable, reflecting the diverse interests within the river basin.

What are the three streams in John Kingdon's multiple streams framework, and how do they influence policy change?

John Kingdon's multiple streams framework includes three key streams: the problem stream, which involves recognizing and defining pressing issues like water scarcity; the policy stream, which consists of generating and vetting policy proposals; and the political stream, which reflects the political climate and context, including public opinion and government changes. According to Kingdon's framework, these three streams must converge to create a window of opportunity for policy change.

What role does the 'problem stream' play in shaping water policy decisions, and why is it important?

In the context of water policy, the 'problem stream' highlights issues such as increasing water scarcity, specific events like droughts, or feedback from existing policies, all of which bring attention to the need for policy intervention. Without a well-defined problem stream, it's difficult to create the urgency and awareness needed to drive policy changes within bodies like the Itajaí River Basin Committee.

Why is stakeholder engagement so critical in water policy decision-making, and what benefits does it bring?

Stakeholder engagement is crucial for water policy decision-making because it brings diverse perspectives—including those of water users, government agencies, and community representatives—to the table. This inclusive approach fosters collaborative problem-solving and helps ensure that the resulting policies are equitable, sustainable, and adaptable to competing interests, ultimately benefiting both the environment and society. The case of the Itajaí River Basin Committee shows the value of engagement.

How does the 'political stream' influence water policy outcomes, particularly in the context of bodies like the Itajaí River Basin Committee?

The 'political stream' significantly impacts water policy because it reflects the current political climate, public opinion, and the influence of interest groups, all of which can either create or hinder opportunities for policy change. Shifts in government priorities or growing public concern over environmental issues can open windows for policy entrepreneurs to push forward their preferred solutions, affecting decisions made within bodies like the Itajaí River Basin Committee.

Surreal illustration of stakeholders collaborating around a river basin, symbolizing water policy influence.

Navigating the Waters: How Stakeholders Influence Water Policy

Reese Marlowe in Politics & Policy June 2025 • 4 min read.

"A Deep Dive into Agenda-Setting and Decision-Making in the Itajaí River Basin"

Effective water resource management requires a delicate balance of environmental sustainability, economic needs, and social equity. In Brazil, these challenges are addressed through River Basin Committees, participatory bodies tasked with creating and implementing water management plans. Understanding how these committees function and how different stakeholders influence their decisions is crucial for ensuring equitable and sustainable water policies.

This article delves into the complex process of agenda-setting within the Itajaí River Basin Committee in Santa Catarina, Brazil. By applying John Kingdon’s multiple streams framework, we explore how various stakeholders, including water users, government agencies, and community representatives, shape the committee's priorities and influence decisions related to water resource management.

Our analysis reveals the dynamics of power, collaboration, and compromise that define the committee's decision-making process. We examine how different streams of influence—problems, policies, and politics—converge to create opportunities for policy change. Specifically, we focus on the contentious issue of water pricing and how stakeholders navigated competing interests to reach a mutually acceptable solution.

The Dynamics of Agenda-Setting: Kingdon's Multiple Streams Framework

Surreal illustration of stakeholders collaborating around a river basin, symbolizing water policy influence.

To understand how issues make their way onto the agenda of a decision-making body like the Itajaí River Basin Committee, we turn to John Kingdon's multiple streams framework. This framework posits that three independent streams—the problem stream, the policy stream, and the political stream—must converge to create a window of opportunity for policy change. When these streams align, policy entrepreneurs can seize the moment to push their preferred solutions forward.

Let's break down each of these streams:

Problem Stream: This stream involves the recognition and definition of pressing issues. Problems can gain prominence due to various factors, such as emerging trends, like increasing water scarcity, focusing events like droughts, or feedback from existing policies.
Policy Stream: This stream consists of the solutions and policy proposals generated by experts and policy communities. These proposals are vetted, refined, and debated until a viable solution emerges.
Political Stream: This stream reflects the political climate and context, including public opinion, interest group pressures, and changes in government. A favorable political climate can create opportunities for policy change.

In the context of the Itajaí River Basin Committee, the debate surrounding water pricing provides a clear illustration of how these streams interact. The growing awareness of water scarcity (problem stream), coupled with policy proposals for water pricing mechanisms (policy stream), and the shifting political landscape (political stream), created a window of opportunity for stakeholders to influence the committee's decision-making process.

Lessons Learned: Collaboration and Influence in Water Policy

The case of the Itajaí River Basin Committee offers valuable insights into the dynamics of water policy decision-making. It underscores the importance of stakeholder engagement, collaborative problem-solving, and adaptability in the face of competing interests. By understanding how different streams of influence converge and how policy entrepreneurs can seize opportunities for change, we can promote more equitable and sustainable water management policies that benefit both the environment and society.