Pasvik-Inari Trilateral Park received EUROPARC certification as a transboundary (TB) area in 2008 and was renewed in 2013. Aims of the certification are to 1) identify priorities for future transboundary work, and 2) raise the national and international profile of the parks and TB area as a whole. Application requirements include a joint long-term vision and guiding rules for future cooperation along with an action plan (see Building Block 3), which are essential for the continued transboundary cooperation. Initial suggestions for the vision and guiding rules were circulated among working group members before the Steering Committee agreed on the final vision: “Pasvik-Inari Trilateral Park is an internationally recognised sustainable nature tourism destination known for its wilderness characteristics and natural, cultural and historical values. Promotion of nature conservation and sustainable nature tourism preserves the core values and contributes to the sound development of the area.” Bilateral and multilateral agreements between Finland, Norway and Russia were also needed for TB certification, which incorporated input from all three countries and were prepared in Finnish and translated to English then to Norweigian and Russian.

The aim of developing a transboundary action plan was to ensure the future of the cooperation among the five protected areas across international borders for continued nature protection and sustainable nature tourism. The plan is available in English, Finnish, and Russian, and is divided into two main parts. Part A describes characteristics of the area, including basic information about natural and cultural history, legislation, land use, and management of the areas. Basic information is useful for those curious about the transboundary area. Management plans, area plans, and regional plans are needed for coordinating nature protection and sustainable nature tourism between and within countries. Knowledge of international agreements, legislation, practices and planning in each area is also needed for transboundary cooperation. In part B, the 10-year vision describes the joint aims and strategies of the the cooperation. Mutual strategies include: cooperation, nature monitoring, dissemination of information and nature tourism. Finally concrete actions are suggested, and more concrete plans can be made to guide short-term planning. The plan was therefore considered as an advisory plan, focusing on common long-term guidance.

In order to support decision makers for planning and prioritizing coastal protection measures based on latest evidence, several methods were developed and tested. Along 400 km shores at the coast of the Mekong Delta, ‘coastal numerical modelling’ and some recent investigations on currents, waves and tides have shown where breakwater fences are an appropriate solution to halt erosion and where other solutions are needed. The ‘video shoreline assessment’ is an in-expensive method to gather up-to-date information on threatening erosion hot spots and shoreline condition. With this tool, more than 470 km of coast in Kien Giang and Ca Mau have been classified as stable or in different stages of erosion. ‘Historical mapping’ looks back into the course of the shoreline about 130 years ago and was piloted in Soc Trang. This tool helps decision makers to understand the natural dynamics of the coastline and its dramatic retreat during this period. The ‘sea-dyke quick scan assessment’ is supporting the authorities in provinces and national ministries to prioritize sea-dyke construction in a resourceful and sustainable way. The results of these decision support tools are an the pre-condition for the planning of the coastal protection system.

Key impediments to sustainable lowland development are the lack of integration of coastal zone management policies and approaches, and limited translation into practice and limited community engagement during design and implementation of plans. The Indonesian government has embarked on various integrated master planning processes and established taskforces and working groups to address these challenges. A large proportion of the solution is dedicated to supporting this policy dialogue process, creating an enabling environment. At community level, project partners have been invited by the target communities to facilitate the development of 10 year village development plans and regulations that guide resources management. These will define ambitions for sustainable aquaculture and coastal security. Community-village plans will contribute to implementation of the provincial master plan, addressing community priorities and needs. This alignment greatly increases community ownership with regards to decision making and engagement in implementation of development plans. After the project, representatives of all 10 target communities will have actively become involved in government-led planning.

Enhanced capacity and awareness is required to enable and stimulate the target group and other actors to take an active role in planning and implementation of Building measures. Three different training curricula will be developed and delivered, targeting government, private sector and communities. Trainings will address both technical (e.g. rehabilitation of mangroves, construction of permeable dams), socio-economic (e.g. improved aquaculture; livelihoods diversification) and institutional (ICZM, group organising etc.) matters.

The general framework for adaptation to climate change in Cartagena de Indias is the “Plan 4C. Cartagena: Competitive and Climate Change Compatible” (2014). It is a long term vision and framework for planning and action to achieve climate compatible development by 2040. EbA is one of its five core strategies. The project directly supports the inter-institutional technical committee by facilitating dialogue among its diverse members, e.g. representatives from public administration, private sector, NGOs, education and research institutions. Tailor-made capacity development activities enhance a common understanding of EbA opportunities and limitations. By supporting the implementation of selected EbA measures as a joint learning process, the findings feed back into the strategic evolution of the Plan 4C as well as the national framework for (ecosystem-based) adaptation to climate change. The expected impacts of concrete EbA measures - such as the recovery of canals and channels - are supposed to show economic, social and environmental benefits in the short and medium term, thus contributing to a practical proof of concept.

Successful EbA planning and implementation needs strong alliances – among different public sectors and levels, with the private sector, with civil society and research institutions. The project strengthens existing partnerships and supports the formation of new ones. These alliances are the breeding ground for awareness raising and communications with regard to EbA (results are e.g. a multi-media strategy, videos and other information material) and joint capacity development measures such as training courses. The creation of the “Climate, Ecosystems and Communities Knowledge Network” for advancing in the search of EbA solutions for the recovery of the Virgen Coastal Lake and its channel system in Cartagena is one tangible result. The education sector has incorporated the EbA approach into educational programs. In this way, the stakeholders bring together complementary competences and knowledge, financial resources as well as contacts and networks. The different initiatives have already attracted interest by the port sector, representatives from the tourism industry and the National Association of Industries, among others. A broad-based financing strategy for EbA is being worked out together with national and regional actors.