Innovacuba

Innovacuba promotes Nature-based Solutions (NbS) to enhance the resilience of coastal communities against climate change impacts, such as sea level rise and coastal erosion. Utilizing the Living Lab framework, the programme tests and contextualizes methods for restoring vital coastal ecosystems including corals, mangroves, seagrasses, sand dunes, and wetlands.

It also explores green, blue, and hybrid infrastructure that meets societal needs while generating socio-economic co-benefits. By leveraging local knowledge and collaborating with stakeholders, Innovacuba co-creates and adapts innovative NbS, ensuring long-term sustainability and shared ownership in the management of coastal environments.

Innovacuba raises awareness of the multiple benefits of nature-based solutions, from protection from sea-level rise and extreme weather events to services like livelihoods, food, water and biodiversity.

Like many other countries, Cuba is interested in moving towards more of a circular bioeconomy where bioresources (material of biological origin) are turned into profitable products and services. To achieve this, innovations are needed that build on a combination of science, technology and traditional knowledge.

For an island nation, the marine bioeconomy is especially important and Innovacuba is strengthening the use of bioresources and potential climate-smart value chains. Together with nature-based solutions, marine bioresources can sustain coastal resilience and contribute to economic development. Innovacuba assesses the feasibility of local production and sales of marine bioproducts like e.g. biofertilizers, biochar and biofuels from massive accumulations of Sargassum seaweed. The aim is to create local industries and address environmental issues such as pollution and carbon emissions.

Innovacuba is a collaboration between SEI, Sida and the following institutions in Cuba: Instituto de Geofísica y Astronomía (IGA), Instituto de Geografía Tropical (IGT), and Agencia de Medio Ambiente (AMA).