Our experience has been that an initial ‘socialization’ (supply, introduction and communication) of basic blue carbon information and principles is needed through formal and informal meetings with country officials at multiple levels of decision-making. Then, a clear understanding of current country needs and priorities, and how they can be met through blue carbon actions, should be considered to ensure the process is compatible with on-going national processes and international climate change and conservation commitments. The role of the people facilitating the policy process is key to deliver sound information, to understand country needs, to ensure that the interests of different actors are met, to negotiate complex matters and to mediate conflicts that may arise. The pace at which governments respond to specific processes is not necessarily compatible with the short-term goals of local project development and implementation or international cooperation.

A series of national consultations and gap analyses with each participating countries proofed valuable to identify priorities for capacity building in integrating new management concepts into spatial planning. They also helped to establish a menu of possible capacity building and field application activities including a recommended outline for the workshops and training courses. Compliance of training course curriculum and syllabus with the regional and national resource documents on coastal spatial planning is crucial to provide country-tailored capacity building and field application activities and to meet the country’s priorities.

The participatory integration of all stakeholders is crucial to developing tailor-made national resource documents that efficiently correspond to capacities, priorities and needs.