1. General information
Location and description of the intervention
City or FUA
Fort-de-France (FUA)
Region
Latin America and the Caribbean
Native title of the NBS intervention
Projet Waliwa
Short description of the intervention
The Waliwa project, launched in 2017 by the municipality of Sainte-Luce, is a collaborative effort dedicated to restoring marine biodiversity, enhancing the ecological balance of the bay area, revitalizing the local ecosystem and supporting sustainable economic activities. By focusing on marine biodiversity conservation, Waliwa addresses several critical environmental challenges. The project helps mitigate coastline erosion, support the blue economy through artisanal fishing and tourism, and foster an environmentally friendly culture among the local community.
So far, the Waliwa project has implemented three initiatives: it restored the Gros Raisin backshore to address erosion and provide nesting sea turtles with protected space (Ref 4). The project also intervened to restore the Pont Café pond, which was covered in Salvinia Molesta, preventing the intake of oxygen and hampering its role as a water filter, habitat for species and flood regulator .
Furthermore, the project has conducted studies and raised awareness about the challenges posed by wastewater management on the health of municipal water bodies. Through these efforts, Waliwa is working to create a more sustainable and resilient marine environment for future generations. (Ref 4, 5, 6; 12)
Implementation area characterization
Address

97228 Sainte-Luce
Martinique

Area boundary (map-based)
NBS area image
Source of NBS area image
Norden, M. (2022). "Présentation technique du projet de revégétalisation porté par la ville de Ville de Sainte-Luce", retrieved from (last accessed 30.09.2024): http://temeum.ofb.fr/sites/default/files/documents/retours-experience/revegetalisation-des-plages-de-gros-raisin-et-de-gros-raisin-deuxieme-anse-de-la-ville-de-sainte/fiche_technique_revegetalisation_sainte-luce_.pdf
Google Maps. (2024). "Plage de Pont-Café". Retrieved from (last accessed 30.09.2024): https://www.google.es/maps/@14.4644713,-60.9368037,853m/data=!3m1!1e3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MDkyNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
Timeline of intervention
Start date of the intervention (planning process)
unknown
Start date of intervention (implementation process)
2017
End date of the intervention
ongoing
Present stage of the intervention
Objectives of the intervention
Goals of the intervention
1) Restoring local marine biodiversity, enhancing reproductive success and providing habitat with active management (nursing, cleaning-up, clearing invasive alien species, planting native and valued species).
2) Engage with the public and raise awareness so that people of Sainte-Luce appropriate the environmental challenges the municipality experiences.
3) Restore the ecological balance to support local coastal economic activities: guarantee a healthy ecosystem that regenerates for biodiversity-based tourism and fishing (e.g. increase catches).
4) Research and monitoring water quality: learn from experience and improve the understanding of the stressors affecting biodiversity loss, with particular emphasis on wastewater management and water quality.
5) Improve coastal resilience: maintaining the ecological status of the coral reef to mitigate swells ( reducing the impact of large waves caused by storms and sea level rising) and increase the network of roots and sediment run-off to mitigate coastline erosion.
6) Involve relevant stakeholders in the conservation of marine biodiversity and creating a stakeholders platform to manage the project (Ref 1; 5; 12).
What types of restoration goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
Implementation activities and NBS focus
Implementation activities
2019-2023: wastewater management knowledge creation and dissemination
conducted a study on wastewater as a pressure on the coastline.
raised awareness among stakeholders about necessary improvements for better wastewater management.
implemented regular water quality monitoring activities (ref 7; 12).

gros raisin sea turtle nesting intervention
15.10.2021: planned intervention at “gros raisin” on the backshore, a publicly owned space.
07.06.2022: educated school children (aged 9-11) on the objectives of the project, environmental characteristics, and turtle nesting protocols. children participated in defining the planting activity protocol.
08.06.2022: created two fenced areas (12m² and 144m²) for turtle nesting on the backshore.
17.06.2022: schoolchildren participated in applying mulch, planting, watering, and labeling native plants. erected an information board (ref 1; 4).
19.06.2022: conducted a workshop for schoolchildren on nursing plants.
25.07.2022: established a 15m² fenced area on the backshore.

pont-café intervention (pond restoration)
03.05.2022: organized a volunteering day to clear invasive species, conduct a trash clean-up, and replant native species in the pond area (ref 8).
NBS domain and interventions
Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented
Blue infrastructure
Lakes/ponds
Coastlines
Amenities offered by the NBS
Design elements for well-being
Services
Expected ecosystem services delivered
Provisioning services
Water (surface and ground water for drinking and non-drinking purposes)
Regulating services
Coastal protection
Flood regulation
Habitat and supporting services
Habitats for species
Cultural services
Tourism
Intellectual interactions (scientific and / or educational)
Scale
Spatial scale
Micro-scale: District/neighbourhood level
Beneficiaries
Demographics in implementation area
In 2021, the population of Sainte Luce was declining (on par with the regional average), exhibitting a 13,0% unemployment rate. The median disposable income is estimated at 21 420 euros. 56,8% of the population own their housing compared to 37,1% (incl. 16,2% in social housing) of renters. 41,9% of housing has 4 rooms, it is worth noting that 16,8% of housing is for temporary or secondary use and 12,3% is vacant. The main family structure are couples with children (30,0%) followed closely by single women with children (29,1%) (Ref 13).
Socio-economic profile of the area
Communities vulnerable to environmental hazards or climate change impacts
Yes
Specification of climate or environmentally vulnerable communities
Specify primary beneficiaries
Beneficiaries are defined in Ref 12 as “fishing-sailors, the population, tourism industry (hotels, restaurants. etc)”. They are to gain from the increase in biodiversity which should lead to an increase in biodiversity-based activities i.e. job creation in water quality research & monitoring, tourism and fishing. The "population and schoolchildren" will benefit by being made aware of the need to preserve the environment (Ref 12).
Measures for inclusion of marginalised groups
Children were invited to implement the Gros-Raisin intervention and benefitted from several workshops (Ref 4).
Governance
Governance arrangements
Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative
The Waliwa project is a municipal stakeholder platform launched in 2017 by the municipality of Sainte-Luce, with financial support from the National Ministry for Ecology. The management board is composed of representatives from the coastal economic sectors, the municipality, and researchers, and is responsible for defining the action program. Work on wastewater management was carried out by the intermunicipal entity "CAESM" and financed by a combination of local, regional, and national government funds.
The beach restoration project was funded by the French Office for Biodiversity and the municipality, with not-for-profits, schools, and the University of the Antilles collaborating. Schoolchildren participated, and the Martinican Botanical Conservatory donated trees, while seaside restaurateurs monitored the enclosures. The pond restoration was handled by municipal staff, with volunteer assistance and support from a research project.
(Ref 1; 4-7; 12)
Key actors - initiating organization
Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)
National government
Regional government
Local government/municipality
Public sector institution
Non-government organisation/civil society
Citizens or community group
Researchers/university
Private sector/corporate actor/company
Stages of citizen and community engagement
Level of citizen and community engagement
Uncommon actors ("Missing actors")
Policy drivers
NBS intervention implemented in response to a Regional Directive/Strategy
Unknown
NBS intervention implemented in response to a national regulations/strategy/plan
Yes
Please specify the national regulations/strategy/plan
The project was kickstarted with the financial support of the National Ministry for Ecology granted by the call for projects: "Territoire à Energie Positive pour la Croissance Verte". It is part of a strategy to reward and support territories engaging in ecological transition projects of excellence (Ref 5; 6).
If there is a relevant strategy or plan, please specify the theme/type of the plan
NBS intervention implemented in response to a local regulation/strategy/plan
Yes
Please specify the "local regulation/strategy/plan"
The Waliwa project is part of a municipal strategy born out of the realisation that maintaing biodiveristy is essential for the prosperity of Sainte-Luce (Ref 5).
Mandatory or voluntary intervention
Voluntary (spontaneous)
Enablers & Barriers
Please provide details (e.g, name of the plan or strategy) for the selected policies or initiatives.
City network or regional partnerships focused on climate change, sustainability, GI or NBS in the city:
The work on waste water was financially supported by “the contrat du littoral sud” of which the municipality is a member with other municipalities (Ref 7).
Funds, subsidies or investment for GI/NBS in the city (available for the city or provided by the city):
"2017: Launch of the Waliwa concerted marine area by municipal deliberation. Supported by the Ministry of Ecology via the TEPCV grant (Positive Energy Territory for Green Growth)"
French Office for Biodiversity's "Te Me Um" program, it is designed to provide operational support to actors in biodiversity conservation/restoration in the French overseas territories. It granted 80% of the funding for the Gros Raisin intervention (Ref 3).
NBS research project (e.g., H2020, Urban Living Labs, national research projects)
The restoration of the Pont-Café pond is supported by the REMA program: "Restoration and Maintenance of the Ponds of the Antilles which aims to produce a technical guide on the ponds of certain islands in the Antilles" (Ref 8).

Barriers
Gros Raisin intervention:
-"A major difficulty encountered during the project was fortunately overcome. The work could not start before the sea turtle nesting season, but thanks to the collaboration of the Marine Turtle Network, which communicated the GDP position of the trace surveys, the project leaders were able to ensure the installation of the enclosures outside the nesting areas" (Ref 1).
-"Concerning the 144m² enclosure, it was initially planned to be 196m², however, observations on the ground have shown the need to reduce the size of the enclosure to facilitate passage" (Ref 4).
Financing
Please specify total cost (EUR)
-The National Ministry for Ecology's "Territoire à Energie Positive pour la Croissance Verte" (Ref 5), granted 40.000 euros to kickstart the Waliwa initiative (Ref 6).
-The Gros Raisin intervention cost 10.414 euros (80% financed by OBF, 20% by the municipality).
-The cost of undertaking the waste water implementation activities cost 120.000 (Ref 12).
-The cost of the Pont-Café intervention is unknown.
It can therefore be conservatively estimated that the cost of implementing the activities cost at least 170.414 euros.
What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements?
170.414 euros (Ref. 5, 6, 12)
Non-financial contribution
Yes
Co-finance for NBS
Yes
Co-governance arrangement
Entrepreneurship opportunities
No
Business models
Business models
Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?
Impacts, benefits
Description of environmental benefits
-Expected storm / wave induced erosion and flooding:
“88 plants of 9 native coastal species conducive to maintaining the sediment were planted” [...] “As for the results on beach erosion [...] they will be observable in 3 to 5 years, when the planted trees create enough shade and their root systems are more developed” (Ref 1).
-Achieved increase in protected green space areas
In total, the Gros Raisin initiative fenced 171m2 dedicated to nesting sea turtles (Ref 3).
-Achieved increased number of protection areas
3 new protection areas were created (Ref 3).
-Achieved increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems:
“The environment has been naturally recolonised by fauna and flora thanks to the fencing [mise en défens] and all the planted species are in good health” (Ref 1); “Expected results of the micro-project: [...]Restoration of local biodiversity on the backshore” (Ref 2).
-Achieved increased number of species present:
"88 plants of 9 native coastal species [Thespesia populnea, Coccoloba uvifera, Tabebuia heterophylla, Bontia daphnoides, Ipomoea pes caprae, Bursera simaruba, Pisonia fragrans, Canavalia rosea Galba, Calophyllum calaba] conducive to maintaining the sediment were planted”; “Six months after planting, all the plants survived”(Ref 1; 4).
-Expected increased presence and recovery of wild species:
“Expected results of the micro-project: [...] Improvement in the site to facilitate nesting sea turtles” (Ref 2).
-Achieved improved prevention or control of invasive alien species:
"'clear invasive species from the Pont Café pond, particularly the giant Salvinia" (Ref 9).
Description of economic benefits
-Expected increase of green jobs (e.g. paid employment positions):
“New employment opportunities in maritime biodiversity”; “New income generated from resource monitoring activities” (Ref 12)
-Expected generation of income from NBS:
“Increased catch for fishermen”; ”More emblematic fish and corals for the tourism industry” (Ref 12)
Social and cultural impact indicators
Number of participants in outdoor activities or exercise programs in green spaces
10 volunteers involved in restoring the Pont-Café pond (Ref 8); 40 scholochildren aged 9-11 participated in a total of three days relating to the conservation of the environment and the restoration of biodiversity (Ref 4).
Description of social and cultural benefits
-Achieved increased support for education and scientific research:
Study on wastewater management; participation in the REMA research project; inclusion of the University of the Antilles (Ref 4; 7; 8).
-Achieved increased knowledge of locals about local nature:
Awareness and communication: Create a Waliwa culture among citizens" (Ref 5); “the population has been made aware” (Ref 1); “Beach goers were also made aware” (Ref 1); “Achieved result: [...] public awareness raised”(Ref 2);
40 schoolchildren (Aged 9-11) participated in workshops in class, at the nursery and on the site, in the framework of Gros Raisin intervention (Ref 4).
Evidence for use of assessment
Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process
Yes
Actors involved in the assessment, monitoring or evaluation of NBS impacts
Presence of indicators used in reporting
Yes
Presence of monitoring/evaluation reports
Yes
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
Name of any specific impact assessment tools
Unknown
Use of GIS in mapping impacts
No evidence in public records
Cost-benefit analysis
Unknown
Justice
Description of locals satisfaction with the project
In Ref 1, it is claimed that for the intervention on the Gros Raisin beach, "the first feedbacks are positive".
In Ref 4, "the students took their role very seriously and really invested themselves in the tasks to be carried out"; "passers-by [...] show great interest in it and encourage its continuation. On social networks, citizens also show their enthusiasm for the project and are surprised by the difference between the area under protection [fenced] and the one with free access".
Trade-offs & Negative impacts
Measures to prevent gentrification or displacement
High-quality & Transformative NBS
Multiple impacts delivery (climate, biodiversity, just community)
No
Goal setting and impacts delivery
In the planning phase, the project aimed to address issues in all 3 key priority areas, but impacts were not delivered in all three key areas.
Reaching original project goals
Please specify the achievements of the project goals
Climate action and biodiversity Goals:
-Expected storm / wave induced erosion and flooding:
“88 plants of 9 native coastal species conducive to maintaining the sediment were planted” [...] “As for the results on beach erosion [...] they will be observable in 3 to 5 years, when the planted trees create enough shade and their root systems are more developed” (Ref 1).
-Achieved increase in protected green space areas
In total, the Gros Raisin initiative fenced 171m2 dedicated to nesting sea turtles (Ref 3).
-Achieved increased number of protection areas
3 new protection areas were created (Ref 3).
-Achieved increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems:
“The environment has been naturally recolonised by fauna and flora thanks to the fencing [mise en défens] and all the planted species are in good health” (Ref 1); “Expected results of the micro-project: [...]Restoration of local biodiversity on the backshore” (Ref 2).
-Achieved increased number of species present:
"88 plants of 9 native coastal species [Thespesia populnea, Coccoloba uvifera, Tabebuia heterophylla, Bontia daphnoides, Ipomoea pes caprae, Bursera simaruba, Pisonia fragrans, Canavalia rosea Galba, Calophyllum calaba] conducive to maintaining the sediment were planted”; “Six months after planting, all the plants survived”(Ref 1; 4).
-Expected increased presence and recovery of wild species:
“Expected results of the micro-project: [...] Improvement in the site to facilitate nesting sea turtles” (Ref 2).
-Achieved improved prevention or control of invasive alien species:
"'clear invasive species from the Pont Café pond, particularly the giant Salvinia" (Ref 9).

Social justice and community Goals:
-Achieved increased support for education and scientific research:
Study on wastewater management; participation in the REMA research project; inclusion of the University of the Antilles (Ref 4; 7; 8).
-Achieved increased knowledge of locals about local nature:
Awareness and communication: Create a Waliwa culture among citizens" (Ref 5); “the population has been made aware” (Ref 1); “Beach goers were also made aware” (Ref 1); “Achieved result: [...] public awareness raised”(Ref 2);
40 schoolchildren (Aged 9-11) participated in workshops in class, at the nursery and on the site, in the framework of Gros Raisin intervention (Ref 4).
Long-term perspective
Unknown: No information about the project's long-term sustainability.
Cost-effective solutions
Unknown
Equitable impacts
Perception of Environmental Change
Unknown
References
1.
Office Francais de la Biodiversité (n.d.). Revégétalisation des plages de Gros-raisin et de Gros-Raisin deuxième anse de la ville de Sainte-Luce. http://temeum.ofb.fr/, Accessed on September 30, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
2.
Office Francais de la biodiversité (n.d.). Fiche bilan du micro-projet. temeum.ofb.fr, Accessed on September 30, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
3.
Norden, M. (2022). Présentation technique du projet de revégétalisation porté par la ville de Ville de SainteLuce . temeum.ofb.fr, Accessed on September 30, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
4.
Office Francais de la Biodiversité (n.d.). Rapport d’exécution du projet de revégétalisation de la plage de Gros-RaisinProgramme Te Me Um 2021 . temeum.ofb.fr, Accessed on September 30, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
5.
Projet Waliwa (2022). Présentation du projet Waliwa. Accessed on September 30, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
6.
Ville de Sainte-Luce (2017). "PROJET WALIWA". facebook.com, Accessed on September 30, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
7.
CAESM (2019). Contrat Littoral SUD. eaumartinique.fr, Accessed on September 30, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
8.
Ulysse, E. (2022). Biodiversité - Martinique : la mare de Pont Café à Sainte-Luce nettoyée pour être répertoriée. outremers360.com, Accessed on September 30, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
9.
Regy, A. and Vincent, C. (2022). Sainte-Luce : la mare de Pont Café nettoyée pour être répertoriée. rci.fm, Accessed on September 30, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
10.
Hembert,S. and Joire, T. (2022). Où est passé le Waliwa des Antilles ?. tf1info.fr, Accessed on September 30, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
11.
Ville de Sainte-Luce (n.d.). Présentation. sainteluce.fr, Accessed on September 30, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
12.
Ville de Sainte-Luce (n.d.). Projet Waliwa. sainteluce.fr, Accessed on September 30, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
13.
INSEE (2024). Dossier complet Commune de Sainte-Luce (97227). insee.fr, Accessed on September 30, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
Comments and notes
Public Images
Image
Restoration of the Pont-Café pond
Restoration of the Pont-Café pond
https://rci.fm/deuxiles/node/4001728
Image
Before and after the Gros-Raisin beach intervention
Before and after the Gros-Raisin beach intervention
http://temeum.ofb.fr/sites/default/files/documents/retours-experience/revegetalisation-des-plages-de-gros-raisin-et-de-gros-raisin-deuxieme-anse-de-la-ville-de-sainte/rapport_d_execution_projet.pdf
Image
Fenced area for sea turtle nesting
Fenced area for sea turtle nesting
http://temeum.ofb.fr/fr/retour-experience/revegetalisation-des-plages-de-gros-raisin-et-de-gros-raisin-deuxieme-anse-de-la
Image
Workshop given by Jardins de Gaïac on nursing plants.
Workshop given by Jardins de Gaïac on nursing plants.
http://temeum.ofb.fr/fr/retour-experience/revegetalisation-des-plages-de-gros-raisin-et-de-gros-raisin-deuxieme-anse-de-la