How can ecosystem restoration strengthen climate resilience and local livelihoods? SEI’s research on this issue is gaining attention from policymakers across different countries who want to learn from practical tests of diverse approaches. A delegation of Swedish parliamentarians recently visited Varadero, Colombia, where the Resilient Coasts project has established a new “living lab” focused on coral reef restoration.
The Resilient Coasts project, funded by the Swedish Postcode Foundation, began in 2024 in response to the growing need for a new approach to coastal resilience in the region, combining ecosystem perspectives with economic sustainability. The initiative demonstrates how strategic ecosystem conservation not only protects biodiversity, but also underpins the economy and security of vulnerable coastal communities.
Resilient Coasts is regarded as a relevant model in the eight participating countries as well as in other regions worldwide. A recent example of this international interest came with the visit of a delegation of Swedish parliamentarians to the island community of Bocachica, hosts of the innovative living lab established at the Varadero coral reef.
This visit reflects a growing trend among decision-makers seeking nature-based solutions (NbS) with tangible, replicable impact. In Varadero, the parliamentarians saw firsthand how the lab serves as a co-creation space that highlights the vital role of communities in implementing and scaling such initiatives. The living lab enables coastal communities, scientists and authorities to jointly develop, test and evaluate practical solutions to restore critical ecosystems such as coral reefs – while strengthening resilience to climate and economic threats.
A delegation of Swedish parliamentarians visited the island community of Bocachica, hosts of the innovative “living lab” established on the Varadero coral reef, a central part of the Resilient Coasts project.
Photo: Guillermo Reyes, Embajador de Colombia en Suecia.
The Varadero Living Lab is the second created by Resilient Coasts in the Caribbean. The Varadero reefs have been designated a “Hope Spot” by Mission Blue, recognizing their crucial role in ocean health. The lab explores how this invaluable ecosystem can be preserved in ways that also benefit the local community, seeking to balance potentially competing interests. Four aspects are in focus:
The Varadero Living Lab, under the Resilient Coasts project, is much more than a coral restoration site. It is a pioneering model of social and environmental innovation, where collaborative science, local knowledge and nature-based solutions converge to build resilient coasts and prosperous communities. The growing attention from policymakers – such as the recent Swedish visit – confirms that this approach not only works in practice, but is also emerging as an essential roadmap for the future of vulnerable coastal regions worldwide.
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