Colombia: Nature based Solutions for Coastal Erosion in San Andrés & Providencia

The San Andrés and Providencia archipelago is exposed to coastal erosion and ecosystem degradation, with growing pressure from climate impacts and extreme events. Local stakeholders have observed shoreline retreat and damage to beaches and marine coastal ecosystems, while different factors—natural and human—may contribute to the problem.

For island communities, erosion is not only an environmental concern: it affects the safety of coastal areas, the resilience of infrastructure, and the longterm viability of local economic activities linked to the coast.

This project contributes to coastal risk management in the San Andrés and Providencia by combining field assessment, technical analysis and partner collaboration to support decision-making on adaptation measures.

How the project builds a shared understanding (field missions + local knowledge)

To ground decisions in real conditions and community needs, project partners carried out a field mission to San Andrés and Providencia (late March–early April 2025). The mission aimed to better understand erosion and ecosystem degradation problems, conduct field reconnaissance in priority areas, and identify data and studies needed for follow‑up work.

This on-the-ground engagement. supports a shared picture of risks and helps ensure that any adaptation options considered are feasible, locally relevant and socially informed.

From observation to analysis: modelling and evidence for adaptation choices

A key component of the work is strengthening the evidence base on coastal dynamics. As part of the IPDC – Colombia NbS effort, a dedicated technical task focuses on hydrodynamic and morphodynamic modelling at Spratt Bight (San Andrés) and Manzanillo (Providencia) beaches, to better understand shoreline change and coastal processes.

This type of analysis helps partners test assumptions, explore “what‑if” conditions, and support discussions about which adaptation measures are likely to be robust over time—especially important where resources for coastal protection are limited and decisions need to be defensible.

What is the IPDC’s role?

The IPDC acts as a connector and enabler: it helps bring together Colombian institutions and international technical expertise, supports learning within Colombia, and strengthens pathways from knowledge to action. In Colombia, the IPDC has supported priority‑setting through scoping, and helped catalyse follow‑up activities—including knowledge exchange on nature‑based solutions.

For example, an IPDC online session on “Before and After Nature‑Based Solutions” explored how to diagnose root causes of erosion and how to monitor long‑term robustness of NbS measures, including case study input relevant to Colombia.

Who we work with (and why partnerships matter)

This project is implemented through collaboration between international (Deltares and WMR) and Colombian partners (DAMCRA from the Ministry of Environment, FHAC, Invemar, CORALINA and the Government of San Andres, Providencia and Santa Catalina).

Technical work and modelling are carried out with specialised partners, while local organisations contribute contextual knowledge and support engagement with stakeholders on the islands.

This mix is essential: coastal resilience requires coordination between government, researchers, practitioners and communities—so that solutions are not only technically sound, but also implementable and supported locally.

Results and next steps

The project is building a practical foundation for adaptation planning by:

documenting field observations and community needs
strengthening technical understanding through modelling and analysis,
and linking lessons on NbS design and monitoring to Colombia’s coastal context.

Next steps focus on refining the evidence base, continuing collaboration with local partners, and using the combined insights to support discussion and prioritisation of adaptation options for vulnerable coastal locations in the archipelago.

Get in touch

Want to know more about IPDC support in Colombia and the work in San Andrés & Providencia? Get in touch with Marta Faneca Sànchez at Marta.FanecaSanchez@deltares.nl.

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