Testing the Catalyst service in Costa Rica
About the project
This pilot project was developed as a case study for the “Ocean Catalyst”, the third service of IPOS. This service aims to strengthen more inclusive and equitable processes in ocean governance, by giving opportunities to diverse ocean stakeholders, foster multi-stakeholder dialogue and envision collective solutions to challenges they face.
The idea emerged during the second UNOC in Lisbon (June 2022), where representatives of small-scale fishing communities called for stronger recognition of their knowledge in ocean policies. Since then, through various sessions and meetings —including the 2023 “Bridging Shades of Blue” workshop in Barcelona and exchanges during the “Immersed in Change” Summit in Costa Rica— the IPOS team was able to work together with local communities from Costa-Rica to collectively shape this initiative.
The project aims to envision collective solutions for the better recognition and integration of Indigenous and local knowledge into decision-making processes, especially the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework, in particular Goals 3, 22, and 23, by promoting dialogue between small-scale fishers, academia, civil society, and decision-makers.
We are deeply grateful for the collaboration of Costa Rican institutions (including the Ministry of Foreign Relations, SINAC, INCOPESCA, UNA, and CIMAR) and 23 coastal communities. Please find below the Barra del Colorado Statement, which presents recommendations co-developed by small-scale fishers during the transdisciplinary workshop held earlier this year.
