Natural resource governance refers to the norms, institutions, and processes that define how power and responsibilities over natural resources are exercised; how decisions are made, and how citizens–women, men, and local communities–participate in and benefit from natural resource management. Governance processes, and their effectiveness and equity, determine the extent to which they contribute to economic prosperity, improved human well-being and, in the long run, environmental preservation. At the same time, governance processes can help prevent and mitigate conflicts that are often linked to a lack of transparency and misuse of revenues.