Catalysing Unconventional Partnerships in Latin America and the Caribbean for Urban Ecosystem-based Adaptation

This project uses a transdisciplinary (TD) approach and the EPIC Model (university/community partnerships) to mitigate the three main barriers (finance, governance, and knowledge gaps) to EbA adoption in Latin America and the Caribbean. The project aims to demonstrate how:

• Communities can generate innovative solutions via their collaboration with universities with the implementation of EbA practices instead of grey approaches;
• Bringing communities into urban planning processes can lead to a more coordinated and streamlined administrative structure; and
• Using the transdisciplinary approach to co-create more participatory approaches to impart knowledge and evidence on EbA will lead to more sustainable finance opportunities in urban settings and informed decision making.

The project includes a series of workshops on the EPIC Model, EbA (including long-term EbA finance options), and the TD approach to achieve collaborative governance mechanisms. Successful trainees will be eligible to apply for sub-grants to implement their EbA-focused projects.

Project Update

1. Completed a Competitive Subaward Selection Process:

The project received 48 subaward proposals, which were reviewed by 18 external experts using a strict ten-criterion evaluation framework between December 2024 and February 2025. Five awards were selected by the end of March 2025, representing projects in Panama (1), Argentina (1), Mexico (2), and Colombia (1). 

2. Advanced Onboarding and Prepared for Implementation: 

Following selection, each subgrantee participated in onboarding meetings. Individual Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between EPIC-N and each subaward grantee were signed between May and August 2025.  

Project Status

Ongoing