Colombia has launched TRAINCOAST, a new diploma training programme on coastal erosion management, designed to strengthen the technical and institutional capacity needed to plan and implement climate adaptation along the country’s coasts.

The TRAINCOAST programme is funded through IPDC support and delivered in cooperation with the Colombian Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, with IHE Delft leading and contributions from Deltares and Wageningen Marine Research, alongside Colombian organisations and universities.

In late 2025, 70 government officials from 37 institutions participated in training activities held in Bogotá, Cartagena and Santa Marta, combining online learning with on-site sessions.

The goal: enable decision-makers and technical specialists to use governance, monitoring and modelling tools to evaluate and prioritise coastal adaptation measures.

TRAINCOAST is now operational in Colombia as a modular diploma programme, expanding national capacity to understand and manage coastal erosion through Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) and applied technical training

Why does it matter, and to whom?

Coastal erosion is described as a major socio-environmental threat in Colombia, intensified by sea-level rise, climate change and human pressures.

By building a shared baseline of skills across institutions, TRAINCOAST supports government officials and partner organisations to make evidence-informed choices for coastal risk reduction and adaptation planning.

What solution is being delivered—and how?

The programme is structured as a hybrid (online + in-person) diploma, with a Train-the-Trainers (ToT) component to support replication beyond the initial delivery.
The TRAINCOAST approach includes two complementary training tracks—one aimed at strengthening decision-making for governance and planning, and another focused on technical modelling and monitoring (e.g., shoreline dynamics, sediment transport and scenario evaluation).

What results do we already see?

The first training delivery reached 70 participants from 37 institutions and was conducted in a blended format, with on-site sessions in major coastal and administrative hubs (Bogotá, Cartagena, and Santa Marta).

What role did IPDC play?

IPDC provided the funding mechanism that made the diploma possible, while delivery is carried out through a partnership led by IHE Delft and supported by Deltares and Wageningen Marine Research, in cooperation with Colombia’s Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development.

Who are the partners?

Key delivery partners named in public programme communications include: IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, Deltares, Wageningen University & Research / Wageningen Marine Research, and the Colombian Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, with contributions from Colombian governmental organisations and universities.

National organisations—including the Ministry of Environment, the National Planning Department, the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD), National Natural Parks, INVEMAR, and universities—were involved in the modules as trainers and contributors