Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) is widely recognised as a powerful approach to strengthen coastal resilience in the face of climate change. Yet, across regions and contexts, one insight consistently emerges: the success and sustainability of EbA initiatives depend as much on people and partnerships as on ecosystems themselves. The TROPICAL ADAPT project supports the promotion of EbA in tropical and subtropical coastal regions. 

Building on this understanding, the workshop “Ecosystem-based Adaptation for Coastal Resilience: In-depth Workshop on Community Engagement and Strengthening Partnerships for Coastal EbA” was held on 22–23 April 2026. It focused on community engagement and strengthening partnerships for coastal EbA. Around 30 participants exchanged experiences on how participatory approaches, local knowledge, effective communication and inclusive governance can improve the design, implementation and long-term impact of EbA initiatives. 

The workshop combined keynote inputs, practitioner perspectives, and interactive discussion formats. Case study contributions addressed community-led EbA in the Moheli Seascape in Comoros, community support and ownership in the Pemba Channel EbA project in Tanzania, seagrass restoration in the Colombian Caribbean, and governance lessons from the Wilipihera project in Mozambique. Further discussions focused on gender and climate in coastal EbA, as well as practical pathways for translating workshop insights into recommendations for policy and practice. The slides of the presentations can be found below. 

Workshop series 

This workshop is the second in a series of three consecutive events on coastal ecosystem-based adaptation. The first workshop focused on stocktake and financing aspects of EbA (materials available online). The third workshop, dedicated to scaling up EbA, will take place virtually on 1 and 2 July 2026. The workshop agenda is available below.