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Stakeholders mapping
To analyze and assess
Medium term
Top-down
Consultation
Small group
Medium - big group
About

Stakeholder Mapping is a methodology widely used in public policy analysis to graphically and systematically represent the actors involved in a given initiative, along with their interactions, levels of influence, and interests. This tool provides a comprehensive overview of the political and social landscape in which policies are developed, making it easier to identify alliances, potential conflicts, and power dynamics.

The mapping process involves identifying, analysing, and prioritising stakeholders who may influence or be affected by the formulation, implementation, or evaluation of a public policy. Its primary objective is to understand who the stakeholders are, their level of interest, their capacity to influence, and the most appropriate strategies for engaging them throughout the decision-making process.

Benefits

  • Stakeholder Mapping clarifies which actors should be informed, consulted, or involved, based on their level of influence and interest. It helps identify strategic allies, potential barriers, and underrepresented groups. It also brings visibility to marginalised communities and promotes more inclusive decision-making.

  • This tool helps design tailored engagement strategies that fit the realities of different stakeholders. It also supports expectation management, goal alignment, and conflict prevention.

Importance

  • It supports a gender-sensitive analysis of power and participation within stakeholder ecosystems.

This tool highlights gender inequalities in decision-making. It helps identify gaps in representation and influence of women and gender-diverse individuals in power spaces.

  • It connects technical planning with lived experience and community knowledge.

Stakeholder Mapping values local knowledge often ignored by technical approaches. It helps shape policies that are more inclusive, context-specific, and sustainable.

  • It strengthens alliances that promote feminist and environmental justice agendas.

It encourages collaboration among actors committed to gender equity and sustainability. This builds stronger networks that drive structural change from an intersectional perspective.

Steps

  1. Define the scope and objectives

    Start by clarifying the purpose of the mapping. Objectives may vary—from climate plans to community development projects. Also, determine who will lead the process.

  2. Identify stakeholders in the policy process

    Conduct a joint scoping exercise. List individuals, groups, institutions, and networks affected by the initiative. Include informal actors as well.

  3. Classify stakeholders

    Group them by type (public sector, private sector, civil society, grassroots organisations, academia, etc.) and by level (local, regional, national, etc.).

  4. Analyse their influence and interest

    Assess each actor’s power and level of engagement. Create a power-interest matrix to visually represent the findings.

  5. Map relationships and dynamics

    Identify connections, dependencies, tensions, or opportunities for collaboration among stakeholders.

  6. Design engagement strategies

    Use the analysis to decide how and when to involve each stakeholder in the policy process.

Key Aspects

  • Start early and update regularly

Begin mapping in the early stages of the project. It should guide the planning process from the start. However, treat it as an evolving tool. Update it as contexts and relationships change.

  • Watch for common risks and bias

Avoid overlooking informal or marginalised actors. Don’t underestimate power imbalances. Be careful not to turn the process into a formal exercise without real engagement. Recognise hidden agendas and take an inclusive and critical approach.

  • Encourage co-production and use qualitative tools

Involve diverse community members in creating the map. This helps highlight voices that are often excluded. Combine technical tools with interviews, stories, or other qualitative methods to better capture the complexity of the context.

  • Acknowledge power complexity and apply an intersectional lens

Don’t oversimplify power relations. Consider the many ways power works. Use intersectional analysis to understand how gender, class, ethnicity, and other factors shape stakeholder influence.

Outcomes

  • Clear and visual overview of key actors and their roles

The mapping shows who the main stakeholders are. It explains their influence, relationships, and roles in the project.

  • Stronger engagement strategies rooted in feminist and environmental values

This approach helps design inclusive strategies that reflect equity, justice, and sustainability. It ensures meaningful participation across communities.

  • Lower risk of exclusion, conflict, or misunderstanding

Mapping helps spot overlooked actors and potential tensions early. It reduces the chance of conflict and promotes a more transparent, collaborative process.

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This website reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

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