Stakeholder and public participation (in the following referred to as PP) in river basin management planning is a prerequisite for the successful implementation 
of the European water framework directive. A successful implementation implies that environmental objectives are achieved in an economically efficient 
and socially beneficial fashion. However, the scientific knowledge base regarding understanding and design of multi-scale stakeholder and public participation 
processes of social learning is quite fragmented. One has recognised as well for years the presence of a huge gap between outcomes of integrated models and river 
basin management practice, but there has been little success in bridging the gap. Too often information is seen as an objective input into decision-making, 
ignoring issues such as uncertainty and implicit policy choices. Rarely is information and are information tools seen as a means to promote and inform discussions 
between stakeholders and thus foster social learning. An improved understanding of processes of social learning is a prerequisite to implement novel management 
strategies and to bridge the science-policy gap. 
            

The handbook on PP will provide a basis for the development of improved integrated models and decision support tools. Users will be developers of integrated 
management models and decision support tools in both, academia and business, river basin management authorities and consortia who will find guidance on how 
to design a stakeholder process for developing a river basin management plan. This will support the implementation of the public participation provisions 
of the Water Framework Directive. The project will lead to the accumulation of human (build up of individual expertise) and social capital inherent in the network 
of researchers and stakeholder groups.