Participation of Autonomous Regions in Marine Spatial Planning: Case of Åland and Zanzibar in Finland and Tanzania respectively

Abstract

This study investigates how autonomous regions participate in national Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) by comparing the Åland Islands in Finland and Zanzibar in Tanzania. Using document analysis, a focus group with Finnish and Åland officials, and interviews with Zanzibar and Mainland Tanzania stakeholders, the research identifies key legal, institutional, and political factors shaping participation. Åland’s clearly defined autonomy ensures a legally mandated separate MSP supported by stable coordination structures. In contrast, Zanzibar operates within an ambiguous union framework, producing multiple possible MSP formats and making political negotiation central to its participation. Stakeholders emphasized the need for equal representation, continuous co-creation, adequate capacity, and strong synergy across governments. The study concludes that Zanzibar’s effective participation will depend less on selecting a single MSP structure and more on ensuring transparent governance, clear mandates, stronger technical capacity, and early stakeholder sensitisation. The findings contribute to understanding MSP in autonomous contexts and offer practical recommendations for Tanzania’s MSP process.