Last updated: May 2025
The BASIC Cartagena Project is an applied research initiative focused on developing tools for integrated coastal water resource management in Cartagena, Colombia (ref 4). It is funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada, and EAFIT University leads it in collaboration with the University of Los Andes, the University of Cartagena, the Foundation H.E.O., and the Regional Corporation CARDIQUE (ref 4). The goals are to reduce pollution, conserve ecosystem services, and implement climate change adaptation strategies in the coastal area (ref 3). The studies focus on Cartagena Bay (Recognized as the most polluted body of water in the Caribbean), the Dique Canal and the Magdalena River watershed, the local communities in the areas surrounding Cartagena Bay, principally the communities of Ararca and Barú (ref 5). During its first phase (2014-2017), the project concentrated on diagnosing pollution levels and sources. This included extensive monitoring of water quality and the socio-economic conditions of local communities (with a public health focus). The second phase (2018-2021) focused on developing early warning systems for pollution, educational programs, and knowledge transfer through community engagement. The third phase (2023) plans to expand the same activities from phase 1 & 2 to the Rosario and San Bernardo Islands, with continued collaboration among scientists, authorities, and local communities (ref 2, 3). Among its most significant achievements are the production of high-level scientific knowledge and the training provided to communities and environmental authorities. A notable impact of the project is its contribution to the formulation of seven policies, including the creation of an intersectoral committee for the environmental management of the Bay of Cartagena. This committee, for the first time, brings together various stakeholders, including fishing and tourism communities, to make decisions about environmental management (3)
visit to a mangrove in Cartagena's bay
https://www.eafit.edu.co/innovacion/Paginas/rese%C3%B1a-basic-cartagena.aspx
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Blue infrastructure
- Coastlines
Key challenges
- Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
- Climate change adaptation
- Coastal resilience and marine protection (SDG 14)
- Marine and coastal research and/or education
- Water management (SDG 6)
- Improvements to water quality
- Inclusive and effective governance (SDG 16)
- Inclusive governance
- Effective management
Principal problems in Functional Urban Area (FUA)
- Environmental Degradation
- Poor water quality
- Health, Well-being and Social cohesion
- Physical health harm (from pollution, wildfire, extreme temperature)
Key priorities
Climate action (adaptation and/or mitigation), Social Justice and community
Focus
Coastal landscape management or protection, Improving coastal resilience, Knowledge creation and awareness raising, Sustainable use of natural resources to improve livelihoods and food security (eg. community- based wildlife or forest management), Educational and awareness raising programs, Improved governance of green or blue areas, Creation of new, innovative governance and management approaches, Establishment of inclusive governance mechanisms involving local communities, Monitoring and maintenance of habitats and/or biodiversity, Habitat mapping, restoration and monitoring-focused management
Project objectives
Enhance environmental governance in Cartagena Bay by providing scientific advice for climate adaptation, improving water services, and addressing public health concerns associated with water contamination in the bay (ref 1).
- Phase 1: diagnose the area to generate adaptation tools for integrated coastal water resource management, This included extensive monitoring of water quality and the socio-economic conditions of local communities (with a public health focus) (ref 5).
-Phase 2: developing early warning systems for pollution to monitor and predict pollution events and flooding scenarios in Cartagena Bay (to enhance local authorities' capabilities to respond promptly to environmental hazards), educational programs, and knowledge transfer through community engagement to support environmental governance processes. (ref 6). One of the goals is to empower local communities, particularly coastal communities, through capacity-building programs. (ref 3)
-Phase 3: extend the same activities from phase 1 & 2 to the Rosario and San Bernardo Islands, with continued collaboration among scientists, authorities, and communities (ref 2, 3).
Implementation activities
- Studies were conducted on hydrology, oceanography, and chemistry, as well as on the public health of the communities living there, mainly fishermen. Economically, the cost of pollution was be quantified for both artisanal fishing and tourism (ref 7).
- The team visited Ararca, Santa Ana, and Barú to assess local environmental and health conditions. Monitoring of marine water and sediment to evaluate their suitability for fishing, recreation, and ecosystem health. (ref 4).
- Implementation of the Diploma of Environmental Governance program, which trained community members, public officials, and private sector representatives on environmental governance, water management, and public health.
- Creation of th early warning system (EWS) to predict and manage pollution events, such as oil spills or chemical leaks, and to assess sea-level rise and flooding risks. The EWS integrates real-time data and provides hydrodynamic forecasts that are accessible through an online platform for use by authorities, stakeholders, and the public (ref 1).
- Public health interventions were conducted in Ararca and Barú, identifying water-related illness risk factors and engaging communities in health assessments (ref 4).
- Creation of management plans, the third component of the Basic project, led by external consultants who designed strategies to align the current management plans of this complex basin-coast-marine system (ref 7).
Climate-focused activities
Climate change adaptation:
- Protect and restore coastal ecosystems, to address loss of land and livelihoods, due to rising sea levels
Communities vulnerable to environmental hazards or climate change impacts
Yes
Specification of climate or environmentally vulnerable communities
Coastal communities
Main beneficiaries
- Local government/Municipality
- Researchers/University
- Citizens or community groups
- Coastal-dependent communities (e.g. small-scale fishers, coastal farmers, and indigenous peoples)
- Young people and children
- Other
Governance
Management set-up
- Led by non-government actors
Type of initiating organisation
- Researchers/university
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping)
- Joint implementation (e.g. tree planting)
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
The project was led by EAFIT University, in collaboration with the University of Los Andes, the University of Cartagena, the Foundation Hernán Echavarría Olózaga, and the Regional Corporation CARDIQUE (ref 4).
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
No
... a national policy or strategy?
No
... a local policy or strategy?
No
Type of enablers
Governance innovations (such as public private partnerships)
Financing
Total cost
€500,000 - €2,000,000
Source(s) of funding
- Research organisation / University
- Multilateral funds/international funding
Type of funding
- Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
Unknown
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Climate change
- Strengthened capacity to address climate hazards/natural disasters
- Expected strengthened capacity to address climate hazards/natural disasters
- Water management and blue areas
- Improved water quality
- Expected improved water quality
Economic impacts
- Unknown
Socio-cultural impacts
- Health and wellbeing
- Improved physical health
- Expected improved physical health
- Education
- Increased support for education and scientific research
- Achieved increased support for education and scientific research
- Other
Type of reported impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Yes
Presence of indicators used in reporting
No evidence in public records
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
Potential risks of implementation and trade-offs
Unknown
References
1.
Universidad EAFIT (2021). FINAL TECHNICAL REPORT - BASIC CARTAGENA RESILIENT . Accessed on August 25, 2024, [Source link];
2.
Universidad EAFIT (2023). Con investigación, la Bahía de Cartagena busca mitigar la contaminación. Accessed on August 25, 2024, [Source link];
3.
Agenda del mar (2021). Basic, ciencia para la gobernanza compartida en Cartagena. Accessed on August 25, 2024, [Source link];
4.
BASIC Cartagena (2014). BASIC CARTAGENA Project Newsletter. Accessed on August 25, 2024, [Source link];
5.
BASIC Cartagena (2014). BASIC Cartagena. Accessed on August 25, 2024, [Source link];
6.
UNIVERSIDAD EAFIT, UNIVERSIDAD DE LOS ANDES, UNIVERSIDAD DE CARTAGENA (2021). Basic Cartagena Resiliente. Accessed on August 25, 2024, [Source link];
7.
UNIVERSIDAD EAFIT (2014). Las cuencas, el mar y las comunidades de Cartagena tienen quién las proteja. Accessed on August 25, 2024, [Source link];
8.
International Development Research Centre (IDRC) (2022). Project Building resilience in Cartagena Bay. Accessed on August 25, 2024, [Source link];
picture of local communities in the islands surrounding Cartagena.
https://www.basic-cartagena.org/acerca_i.html
picture of workshop during phase 1
https://agendadelmar.com/basic-ciencia-para-la-gobernanza-compartida-en-cartagena/
Information about this nature-based solution was collected as part of the Naturescapes project funded by the European Union under Grant Agreement No 101084341.