Application of Advocacy Coalition Framework (ACF) A Case Study of Water Quality Policy in the Buriganga River

This study aims to apply the Advocacy Coalition Framework (ACF) to explain multi-actor collaborative policy processes for water quality management in the heavily polluted Buriganga River, which is regarded as the lifeline of Bangladesh. The Advocacy Coalition Framework (ACF) framework offers a perspective to explore how various coalitions (government agencies, non-governmental organizations, industries, and civil society) interact in a policy subsystem to shape environmental decisions. Using a qualitative case study method, this study explores the beliefs, strategies, and resources of opposing coalitions engaged in Buriganga’s water quality policy. It underscores the impacts of scientific information, policy-oriented learning, and external shocks on policy change. Data collected for this study highlight the challenges: fragmented governance, limited coordination among actors, and entrenched economic interests that get in the way of policy implementation. The application of the ACF further contributes to understanding the messy policy landscape of Bangladesh and provides implications for strengthening collaborative governance and sustainable water management.