Interactive workshop for advanced MSP

Dynamic sessions, presentation of case studies, role-play activities, and a high-level panel discussion. Those were the ingredients of a dynamic training workshop in Bogotá, Colombia, hosted by the National Authority of Environmental Licensing (ANLA) and co-organised between ANLA, the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MinAmbiente) and the NCEA.

‘Thank you very much for the well-organized workshop. It contained a lot of useful information and has given me more clarity on the technicalities of EIA and SEA. The practical activities during the training made it dynamic and helped with applying the obtained knowledge.’ – Participant of the training

The event, organized from 1-4 July, focused on integrating Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) into Marine Spatial Planning (MSP). It brought together over 30 participants from key Colombian institutions, including ANLA, MinAmbiente, the Ministry of Mining and Energy, National Parks, and the Colombian Maritime Authority.

Through various practical exercises, the participants explored SEA principles, stakeholder engagement strategies, and governance mechanisms tailored to Colombia’s marine context. The workshop catalysed deep inter-institutional and inter-sectoral dialogue, openly debating the challenges Colombia faces in advancing SEA and MSP. With national elections just a year away, participants reflected on the strategic direction the country should take in embedding SEA and MSP into long-term planning frameworks. Feedback was highly positive, with participants appreciating the practical relevance and collaborative spirit of the sessions.

The training week marked one of the first activities under a unique tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) currently being finalised between NCEA, ANLA, and MinAmbiente. A key outcome of the workshop was the identification of five priority actions for future collaboration, including cumulative impact assessment, community engagement, and technical support for offshore wind projects.

Pictures: ©NCEA, 2025.