Panelistas:

• Denise Nicolaou (IUCN)
• Beryl Odour (Plan International)
• Elisabeth Tabedou-Coly (Nébéday)

Denise introduced the ReSea project, a key initiative within the Great Blue Wall program aimed at enhancing coastal and marine resilience across the Western Indian Ocean region. She emphasized that NbS, such as mangrove restoration, seagrass planting, and coral reef rehabilitation, offer natural barriers against extreme weather events like cyclones and storms. Denise highlighted that the ReSea project is grounded in collaboration, involving local communities, governments, and private sector stakeholders. She also emphasized that the success of such projects relies on inclusive governance, with women and youth at the forefront of decision-making processes, ensuring that NbS address the social and environmental needs of vulnerable groups. She explained that NbS are not just about ecological restoration but also about empowering local communities to manage and protect their environments for future generations. Denise shared:

ReSea crea una plataforma donde las comunidades locales, en particular las mujeres y los jóvenes, son fundamentales para los esfuerzos de conservación marina. Al mejorar la resiliencia mediante las SbN, no solo protegemos la biodiversidad, sino que también empoderamos a las personas y fomentamos oportunidades económicas mediante economías azules sostenibles.

Berilo shared insights from the COSME project, focusing on how sustainable livelihoods can be achieved through NbS in coastal communities in Kenya and Tanzania. She explained that the project combines mangrove restoration, seaweed farming, and local forest management to enhance coastal resilience while providing income-generating opportunities for women and youth. Beryl emphasized that NbS should focus on socio-economic resilience, ensuring that communities benefit directly from the ecosystem services they help protect. She also noted that community-led governance is critical to ensuring that NbS are sustainable and impactful over the long term. Beryl highlighted the importance of gender-responsive approaches in NbS, stating that women are often the most vulnerable to climate change but also play a central role in managing natural resources. She emphasized that 70% of the project beneficiaries are women, reflecting its commitment to being gender responsive. Beryl highlighted the project’s efforts to empower women by increasing their agency in environmental governance and ensuring their voices are included in decision-making processes. She remarked:

El proyecto COSME garantiza que las mujeres, cuyo sustento depende en gran medida de los ecosistemas marinos y costeros, tengan voz en la toma de decisiones y estén empoderadas para liderar iniciativas resilientes al clima.

Isabel Elisabeth habló sobre el proyecto Natur'ELLES en Senegal, centrado en el empoderamiento de las mujeres en el delta del Saloum mediante la promoción de la restauración de manglares y otras prácticas agroecológicas sostenibles. Destacó cómo las SbN, como la rehabilitación de manglares, previenen la erosión costera, mejoran la biodiversidad y la seguridad alimentaria al apoyar prácticas pesqueras sostenibles. Elisabeth señaló que las mujeres en Senegal son actores clave en la gestión de los recursos naturales, y su participación activa en las iniciativas de conservación es esencial para fortalecer la resiliencia frente a los impactos climáticos. Enfatizó la necesidad de igualdad de género y la participación comunitaria en el diseño e implementación de las SbN, garantizando que las intervenciones sean eficaces y equitativas. Señaló que, al trabajar en conjunto con las comunidades locales, el proyecto ha logrado empoderar a las mujeres y proteger simultáneamente los ecosistemas costeros.

Natur'ELLES demuestra cómo empoderar a las mujeres para liderar esfuerzos de conservación no solo restaura los ecosistemas, sino que también fortalece la resiliencia climática de las comunidades vulnerables.

Conclusion

The NAbSA Dialogue on “Safeguarding Coastal Communities with Nature” showcased the transformative power of NbS in protecting vulnerable coastal communities from climate change. From the ReSea project in the Western Indian Ocean region to the COSME project in East Africa and the Natur’ELLES project in Senegal, panelists emphasized the critical role of local communities, especially women and youth, in driving NbS initiatives. Through mangrove restoration, sustainable livelihoods, and community-led governance, these projects demonstrate that NbS are not only a tool for environmental protection but also a means to empower communities and promote socio-economic resilience.

The Dialogue highlighted the importance of inclusive governance and gender-responsive approaches in NbS, ensuring that the most vulnerable groups are not only protected from climate change but are also given the opportunity to thrive in the face of it. The panelists’ insights reaffirmed that NbS are a critical component of a broader climate adaptation strategy and a path toward a sustainable future for coastal communities in Sub-Saharan Africa.

To dive deeper into the discussions and hear more about the Q&A session, we encourage you to listen to the full recording of the dialogue