With the aim of combining climate action and biodiversity conservation through nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based adaptation, the “NaBa: Nature-based Resilient Cities” project is supporting cities in South America to build capacity to become more resilient and greener. Funded by the UK Government’s UK PACT – Nature Based Solutions and Adaptation and implemented by ICLEI in partnership with World Resources Institute (WRI) and Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Humboldt (IAVH), NaBa focuses on supporting the “Biodiverciudades” initiative in six Colombian cities: Yopal, Villavicencio, Montería, Bucaramanga, Pasto and Pereira. Between November and December, each of the six municipalities received a face-to-face workshop, a stage that integrates the preparation of the Climate Risk and Vulnerability Analysis (ARVC – its Spanish acronym). At the end of the project, the six cities will have their own ARVCs, a diagnosis that strengthens decision-making to make the territories more resilient and adapted to extreme events.
In addition to the NaBa model cities, more than 500 municipal technicians, researchers and social group leaders from 49 cities in Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia and Peru are participating in the ARVC Training, developed by ICLEI South America. Started on 2 February, the online training, which is supported by the MCR2030 initiative, runs until 30 March and aims to promote knowledge transfer of the methodology developed by ICLEI South America to the technical staff of local governments. “Our intention is that the cities that participate in the training can also develop their internal capacities to advance with the elaboration of their ARVCs after completing the course,” said Isadora Buchala, Regional Resilience Analyst at ICLEI South America.
About the workshops in the 6 cities of Colombia
ICLEI South America is supporting the development of ARVCs in the six model cities of the NaBa project. The face-to-face workshops are part of the application of the methodology, which includes an initial stage of data collection and participatory mapping. Through group dynamics, participants were able to discuss and identify on the city map the main risks and vulnerabilities present in each territory. The participants also presented their perceptions about the benefits of nature in their municipalities.
Community leaders and residents of vulnerable communities were invited to the workshops. As in all the activities of the NaBa project, the workshops were guided by gender equality and social inclusion, encouraging the participation of women.
Check out the list of cities that are participating in the ARVC Training:
– Colombia: Barranquilla, Bello, Bogotá, Bucaramanga, Buenaventura, Cali, Campoalegre, Cereté, Chía, Cúcuta, Dagua, Dosquebradas, Envigado, Fonseca, Fuente de oro, Ipiales, La Estrella, Magangue, Manizales, Medellin, Meta, Montería, Neiva, Palmira, Pasto, Puerres, Puerto Gaitán, Pupiales, Rionegro, Sabaneta, San Andrés de Tumaco, Santiago de Tolú, Sincelejo, Sogamoso, Tópaga, Toro, Villanueva, Villavicencio and Yopal.
– Ecuador: Cuenca, Echeandía, Guayaquil, Machachi and Quito.
– Bolivia: Buenavista, San Marcos and Tarija.
– Peru: Lima.
The following organisations and companies are also participating in the training: EP Emseguridad, PNUD, INGETEC, Universidad Hemisferios, Universidad de Nariño, Empresa Publica Municipal de ASEO de Cuenca, Universidad Santo Tomás, Fundación Suyusama, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Junta de Acción Comunal, Establecimiento Público Ambiental Barranquilla Verde, E3 Works, Fundación Guambras en Acción, Empresa Publica Metropolitana de Agua Potable y Saneamiento de Quito, IDEAM, Instituto Distrital de Gestión de Riesgo y Cambio Climatico, Colegio de Ingenieros Ambientales de Tarija, and Corporación Tiempos de Vida.
See here how your city in South America can advance the development of ARVC.
Texto: Cibele Carneiro