From May 26 to 30, 2025, a national training workshop was held in Bakau under the WACA program to enhance the capacity of Gambian stakeholders to apply nature-based solutions (NbS) for urban and coastal resilience. The Project Management Unit in The Gambia organized the event with technical support from IUCN, the NL2120 consortium, and the World Bank. Nearly 50 participants attended, representing government agencies, academic institutions, local authorities, and civil society organizations.

Initiated in 2023, the WACA project in The Gambia centers on restoring the Kotu Stream, an 11.2-kilometer waterway flowing through densely populated urban zones. The initiative aims to protect more than 200,000 residents from flooding and pollution while restoring the stream's ecological function. The project adopts a hybrid approach, integrating nature-based solutions with conventional infrastructure, strongly emphasizing community engagement and long-term sustainability.

The Bakau workshop provided an opportunity for participants to deepen their knowledge of NbS and strengthen their ability to integrate these approaches into the design and implementation of urban and coastal projects. Throughout the five-day program, participants took part in technical presentations, group exercises—including a serious game—and a field visit to the Kotu Stream site. The visit offered a hands-on perspective for analyzing and contextualizing the challenges and opportunities.  

Key discussions addressed monitoring systems, long-term maintenance of green infrastructure, social inclusion issues, stakeholder involvement, and the need for coordinated governance to ensure lasting impact. At the workshop's close, participants reaffirmed their commitment to advancing inter-institutional collaboration and promoting the integration of NbS into national policies and future urban development initiatives in The Gambia.