# Multi-stakeholder governance

The multi-stakeholder governance criterion evaluates whether a landscape initiative has an inclusive, transparent, and effective governance structure that enables collective decision-making and coordinated action for the design, implementation, and monitoring of the initiative.

A well-functioning multi-stakeholder process or platform should:

* Have **active participation by key stakeholders**, with a particular emphasis on engaging local community representatives and local government bodies. 
* Establish **clear operating procedures and decision-making structures** to ensure transparency and accountability. 
* Implement **safeguards** to minimize the risks of negative human rights or environmental impacts while enhancing positive outcomes for people and nature within the landscape.

To assess these aspects, the criterion is divided into five sub-criteria: 

1. [Participation from key stakeholders](https://docs.landscale.org/landscape-initiative-maturity/multi-stakeholder-governance/participation-from-key-stakeholders).
2. [Alignment with governmental policies.](https://docs.landscale.org/landscape-initiative-maturity/multi-stakeholder-governance/alignment-with-governmental-policies)
3. [Governance and decision-making](https://docs.landscale.org/landscape-initiative-maturity/multi-stakeholder-governance/governance-and-decision-making).
4. [Coordination of actions and monitoring](https://docs.landscale.org/landscape-initiative-maturity/multi-stakeholder-governance/coordination-of-actions-and-monitoring).
5. [Implementation of safeguards](https://docs.landscale.org/landscape-initiative-maturity/multi-stakeholder-governance/implementation-of-safeguards).