Abstract
This chapter presents lessons learned from two experiences of implementing sociopolitical
sustainability strategies to achieve environmental and economic sustainability.
The projects were carried out in rural communities in Guinea-Bissau and
Jamaica, which are both vulnerable to climate change. Each experience, developed
from a systemic perspective and under two frameworks (the water–food–energy
nexus and ‘Appropriate Technology’), is described in four phases (problem
characterization, solution design, solution pre-evaluation, and implementation),
with the significant findings made by the team in terms of challenges, rewards, and
essential conditions for development. Both deal with environment-friendly solutions
that solve the problems of water and energy provision. Based on complex thinking,
the experiences are analyzed from the social inclusion, participation, empowerment,
and learning theory viewpoints. Finally, the insights gained by the team are
highlighted: communication requirements, the level of dependency of industrialized
solutions, budget constraints, training, testing, and planning recommendations, the
diversity of interaction with the communities, and partners’ skills. As a result, future
actions can exploit these experiences and contribute to the success of subsequent
projects.
