Strengthening of local Research Capacities at the Bluefields Indian and Caribbean University, Nicaragua to confront the effects of Climate Change.

The Atlantic Coast of Nicaragua is one of the most vulnerable regions related to the negative effects of climate change worldwide (German Watch Climate Risk Index 2013) for a series of reasons, including its geographical position in the hurricane corridor of the Caribbean, its general low altitude bordering two oceans, dispersed communities with limited access to education, health care, transport, a great direct dependence on basic ecosystem services, widespread economic poverty and therefore a limited adaptive capacity. To be able to adapt to the significant changes in the regional climate and its effects on the different vital sectors (agriculture, fisheries, forestry, tourism, health), there’s an urgent need for the generation of local scientific information to provide a basis for decision-making in the region. Because of the substantial lack of quality climate data and research in the Caribbean Region of Nicaragua, the Bluefields Indian and Caribbean University (BICU) plans to install a Climate Change Research and Monitoring Centre (CIMCC) at the central campus in Bluefields. BICU identified limitations in the technical and methodological capacities in climate research and monitoring of its technical, academic and scientific staff and therefore students as well as of the necessary basic scientific equipment. There is a need to build scientific capacity, develop a climate research strategy, including traditional indigenous and afro descendant knowledge and a rigorous gender focus, develop innovative participatory solutions and mainstream climate change in the universities research strategies and academia. Therefore BICU needs the support and guidance of a university of international reference and experience in climate change related topics (for example meteorology and sustainable production) like the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), that itself wants to broaden its horizon, in order to establish an equitable, respectful collaboration and a vital exchange of experiences and knowledge.