Training & Capacity Building

As part of its commitment to protecting, restoring, and sustainably managing coastal and marine resources, the PROCARIBE+ project is supporting training and capacity building efforts across the wider Caribbean as a means to enhance enabling conditions to meet its objectives. Through the Ocean Coordination Mechanism (OCM) and its broad network of partners, PROCARIBE+ offers a unique opportunity to deliver a more integrated and strategic approach to capacity development across the region. The objective: to establish long-term national competencies and systems that can sustain impact beyond the life of the project.

Targeting all 44 CLME+ OCM States and Territories, the project aims to provide accessible, high-quality training that supports the integration of key approaches such as effective management of Marine Protected Areas (MPA), Marine Spatial Planning (MSP), and Natural Capital Accounting (NCA). These efforts also contribute to implementing the Cartagena Convention’s Protocol Concerning Pollution from Land-Based Sources and Activities (LBS) and the Protocol on Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife (SPAW), advancing the source-to-sea and ridge-to-reef approaches, enhancing marine components into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), as well as advancing 30x30 conservation goals, and other regional and national action plans.

The capacity building strategy is anchored in three core principles: building strategic alliances to amplify reach; aligning with ongoing initiatives to avoid duplication; and leveraging existing tools, expertise, and resources. With support from experienced regional partners, PROCARIBE+ will support tailored training solutions that respond to local and regional needs—laying the foundation for lasting, meaningful change.

While capacity building is embedded across many of PROCARIBE+’s activities, the project also includes dedicated training elements supported by recognized institutional partners and experts in the field.

PROCARIBE+’ targeted capacity-building efforts are being carried-out by the UNEP Cartagena Convention Secretariat and IOCARIBE, internationally respected organizations with proven expertise and established training tools and programmes, ensuring alignment with broader regional priorities and frameworks. Their capacity-building efforts will directly contribute to Indicator 2.1.1 of the PROCARIBE+ Project, which seeks to demonstrate enhanced capacity, enabling conditions and commitments—specifically through the delivery and/or permanent accessibility of training opportunities across the CLME+ region (Wider Caribbean).

Aunque el desarrollo de capacidades está integrado en muchas de las actividades de PROCARIBE+, el proyecto también incluye elementos de formación específicos apoyados por socios institucionales reconocidos y expertos en la materia.

La Secretaría del Convenio de Cartagena del PNUMA e IOCARIBE, organizaciones de prestigio internacional con experiencia demostrada y herramientas y programas de formación consolidados, están llevando a cabo los esfuerzos de desarrollo de capacidades de PROCARIBE+, garantizando la alineación con las prioridades y marcos regionales más amplios. Sus esfuerzos de capacitación contribuirán directamente al Indicador 2.1.1 del Proyecto PROCARIBE+, que busca demostrar una mayor capacidad, condiciones propicias y compromisos -específicamente a través de la entrega y/o accesibilidad permanente de oportunidades de capacitación en toda la región del CLME+ (Gran Caribe).

Capacity Building in MPA Management and Marine Spatial Planning (MSP)

Since 1997, UNEP’s Cartagena Convention Secretariat and the Caribbean Marine Protected Areas Management Network (CaMPAM) have led the “Training of Trainers (ToT) in MPA Management” programme. PROCARIBE+ will contribute to new editions, benefiting over 20 countries across the Wider Caribbean. These sessions will be delivered through strategic partnerships with regional actors including IUCN-BIOPAMA, Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies (CERMES), Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), and other regional partners, helping to strengthen MPA management capacity across the region.

In parallel, IOCARIBE will lead a series of capacity-building activities related to Marine Spatial Planning (MSP), in response to growing regional demand. While MSP efforts are advancing, many countries still face significant gaps in awareness and capacity. Working in collaboration with UNESCO’s MSP Global Initiative, UNDP/UNEP/GEF IW:LEARN Project, and other regional partners, IOCARIBE will identify, align with, and build on existing and planned MSP training opportunities to expand access and impact across the Caribbean.

Training opportunities will be shared and distributed through regional and global networks and online platforms such as the Ocean Teacher Global Academy (OTGA), so as to ensure broad dissemination and participation.

All capacity-building under PROCARIBE+ is guided by the project’s Gender Action Plan. Training will promote gender equity, youth inclusion, and the use of inclusive language, examples, and data.

Strengthening the knowledge and capacities of MPA practitioners across the Wider Caribbean will directly contribute to the effectiveness and resilience of existing marine protected areas—key to achieving global biodiversity goals, including the 30x30 target under the Global Biodiversity Framework. As institutional actors also benefit from these trainings, countries will be better equipped to establish and manage strong, well-connected conservation areas, fostering ecological corridors and enhancing regional cooperation.

On the Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) side, the ultimate goal is to support more countries and localities in developing and implementing national MSP roadmaps. These efforts are essential to advancing marine-based, climate- and disaster-resilient “green-blue” socio-economic development across the region.

• Two new editions of the “Training of Trainers (ToT) in MPA Management” programme—one in English, one in Spanish.
• Organization of dedicated regional MSP training events: A regional MSP capacity-building workshop, a Regional MSP Forum and ongoing capacity-building activities with MSP practitioners.
• Webinars/workshops on topics such as: Blue Carbon and NDC’s, Natural Capital Accounting, Ridge-to-Reef approach in MSP…
• Implementation of online solution(s) to provide permanent access to the training/courses and capacity building materials. 

El refuerzo de los conocimientos y capacidades de los profesionales de las AMP del Gran Caribe contribuirá directamente a la eficacia y resistencia de las áreas marinas protegidas existentes, lo que es clave para alcanzar los objetivos mundiales de biodiversidad, incluida la meta 30x30 del Marco Global de Biodiversidad. Como los actores institucionales también se benefician de estas formaciones, los países estarán mejor equipados para establecer y gestionar áreas de conservación fuertes y bien conectadas, fomentando corredores ecológicos y mejorando la cooperación regional.
En cuanto a la Planeación del Espacio Marino (PEM), el objetivo final es ayudar a más países y localidades a elaborar y aplicar hojas de ruta nacionales de PEM. Estos esfuerzos son esenciales para impulsar un desarrollo socioeconómico «verde-azul» basado en el mar y resistente al clima y a las catástrofes en toda la región.