Achieving social-ecological fit in projectified environmental governance: Exploring vertical and horizontal dimensions

Social-ecological fit has been a popular approach to assessing the connectedness between social and ecological systems in environmental governance. However, role of projects social-ecological yet be explicitly problematized conceptualized. Given centrality - i.e. temporally limited organizations that bring various actors into collaboration pursue clearly defined goals tasks governance, this is serious shortcoming literature. In paper, we fill gap by drawing on hitherto unconnected literatures projectified governance fit. We then assess extent which can achieved To do this, develop novel framework for vertical horizontal dimensions social, spatial, temporal conduct an empirical study European Union’s LIFE Program funded program Estonia. Our results suggest spatial contingent fit, i.e., alignment interests needs project-related actors. Frictions levels decision-making also condition possibilities achieving horizontally across stakeholder groups as well sustaining project over time. • Socio-ecological widely debated topic A critical analysis currently lacking. explore Estonian EU projects. The interconnectedness different forms addressed. Pursuing socio-ecological multi-scale multi-level effort.