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sharing solutions –
information package for solution provider
content
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2
1.0 THE SOLUTION-ING APPROACH >>
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4
5
2.0 BE A SOLUTION PROVIDER >>
2.1 solution >>
2.2 building blocks >>
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3.0 HOW TO WRITE UP YOUR SOLUTION >>
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4.0 GLOSSARY >>
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5.0 IMPRINT >>
implemented by:
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1.0
blue solutions
THE SOLUTION-ING APPROACH
Across our planet ocean, multiple examples of inspiring blue solutions which successfully help overcome challenges to sustainable development and human well-being in the marine and coastal realm can be found. So let´s
not keep reinventing the wheel but learn from each other´s successes in the management and governance of
marine biodiversity and natural resources.
The Blue Solutions Initiative promotes the active sharing of approaches that …
… address marine and coastal challenges
… are effective: applied solutions with demonstrated impact
… are scalable: elements of solutions have the potential for upscaling or replication in other contexts
What if we could identify the core building blocks of solutions?
And adapt these building blocks to new challenges?
We believe that solutions are comprised of distinct building blocks – instruments, tools, approaches, partnerships
or processes that determine their success. Such building blocks may be adapted and recombined with others to
address specific challenges in different socio-cultural and ecological contexts, sectors, or geographies.
Distilling and sharing these solutions and their building blocks supports inter-sectorial knowledge transfer and
enables mutual learning all over the world. The aim is to inspire others in taking action towards achieving the
implementation of effective management and equitable governance in marine and coastal contexts with a view
to accelerate sustainable living in seascapes.


the
solution-ing
approach
submit solutions
submit solutions

solution
provider
filter solutions

solution database
curated solutions

building blocks
within solution put into solution database


Adapted from
The Resilience
Exchange
innovator adapts
building blocks to
create new solutions

innovator
shares solution

connect community of practice
scaled innovatios
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solutions
exchange
blue solutions – the solution-ing approach
The Blue Solutions Initiative facilitates the exchange of solutions through…
… face-to-face solutions exchanges – encounters allow participants to learn about approaches that have been
proven successful, and to experience in solution-ing workshops how building blocks can be adapted, recombined
and used to address new challenges.
… online solutions exchange –the Blue Solutions Exchange platform allows users to contribute their solution,
browse through the growing number of successful approaches and get inspiration for how to address their
current challenges.
… integration of solutions in capacity development activities –trainings are enriched through the integration
of real life examples into a theoretical background.
Visit the Blue Solutions website for more information. >>
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2.0
blue solutions
BE A SOLUTION PROVIDER
You want to share your inspiring blue solution and allow others to take up elements of your successful approach?
Be a solution provider and share your experiences with practitioners and decision-makers around the globe.
the idea
building block
adapted & reused
!

solution
provider
?
solution
seeker
2.1

solution
Has your solution been implemented?
Does your solution have a demonstrated (measureable, visible…) impact?
Is your solution scalable (elements of your solution have the potential for upscaling or replication)?
Does your solution have a unique value?
Does your solution have applied and distinctive elements or approaches not yet very common or widespread?
Do elements of your solution have a model character which others can learn from?
example
solution
tubbataha reefs natural park act
The Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (TRNP) Act showcases the most successful mangement of a remote no-take reserve in the Philippines. The formulation of policies for
TRNP involved multiple consultations with a cross-section of society from village to
national level. The consultative process ensured that the affected communities and
stakeholders were able to shape the contours of the law, thereby embedding fairness
inrule-making and inspiring voluntary compliance.
© Robert Yin
Learn more about this blue solution. >>
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2.2

blue solutions – be a solution provider
building blocks
Which (up to 6) elements of your solution really made a difference and your efforts succeed?
Which elements of your solution could be recombined with other elements and could be adapted and applied in other contexts?
Which elements of your solution would you recommend to others and disseminate?
tubbataha reefs natural park act –solution components for replication
example
building blocks
Participatory development of the Act
A series of multi-stakeholder
consultations and workshops for drafting and
reviewing the Act ensures
full stakeholder participation
as well as broad acceptance
and compliance with rules
and regulations.
Information campaigns
To promote awareness and a
general understanding of the
global significance of this biodiversity hotspot, the developed
Act and policies are communicated to the public through
various outreach activities, e.g.
through radio plugs and local
newspapers.
Locally-based park management and law enforcement
Local institutions and communities, municipal and national government representatives, NGOs, academia, and the private sector are all
represented in a locally-based park management and law enforcement
body. Law enforcement is ensured through partnerships with the Philippine Navy and Coast Guard and locally recruited park rangers who
receive in-depth training and appropriate surveillance equipment. The
environmental situation in the park is monitored regularly, while the
effectiveness of governance is measured annually using participatory
mechanisms.
Learn more about this blue solution. >>
Financing park management
The Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is run with financial
assistance from a range of
sources. Conservation fees
paid by visitors are the main
source of funding. Grants
from NGOs and the private
sector make up 32% of the
budget.
Economic incentives for
communities
Local communities are compensated for economic losses
caused by no-take policies. A
share of the conservation fee
is channelled into a livelihood
fund that provides loans for
development.
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3.0
goal
blue solutions
HOW TO WRITE UP YOUR SOLUTION
Create the simplest description of a solution and its components in a way that other people can access further
information, reuse, remix, and build on your solution.
The aim is to be specific enough to provide meaning while staying general enough so that someone else can be
inspired. By providing background documents and agreeing to be available for questions, others can learn more
about your solution and its building blocks and how they can apply it to their work.
time

information
i
Set aside an afternoon to work on a first version of your solution. If you are very familiar
with the work, it should take you about 2-3 hours. If you are less familiar with the work,
you may need more time.
Gather your materials. Raw materials are often grant applications and reports, web
pages, publications, conference notes and slides, and any other documentation about
the solution. Sometimes it’s also a person who is working or has worked on the solution.
You’ll need information about:
• the solution itself, including a short description
• the context of the solution, including where it is being implemented and the problem
it is addressing.
• how your solutions works, including the building blocks of your solution that are transferable to different contexts. If a building block can be broken down into further important elements, it could also be documented as a solution in itself.
• the outcomes and indicators that help you know that your solution works.
• a photo or image that represents your solution in action.
writing
Skim your raw materials for the most powerful or effective language. Much of the
template is structured to distill your solution down to a short paragraph with specific
character limits.
review
Who will review the final content for the solution and building blocks? Ideally, this is
someone who works (or worked) closely with the solution as well as someone from
the Blue Solutions team who is experienced in the documentation of solutions.


feedback

• Complete our online survey >> to give us feedback on the solution template
• Think about other work that would be a good fit for a solution. We’d love to see it!
• Encourage your colleagues and peers to share their solutions
Please contact us if you have any questions or would like to get feedback on your solution. >>
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4.0
blue solutions
GLOSSARY
Blue solution Successful approach that addresses challenges related to the sustainable use and conservation of
marine and coastal biodiversity with a proven impact.
Blue Solutions A global initiative of the German Environment Ministry (BMUB), implemented jointly by GIZ,
GRID-Arendal, IUCN and UNEP. See also Blue Solutions website>>.
Blue Solutions Exchange Online platform that allows users to contribute their solution, browse through a growing number of successful approaches presented in the form of solutions and building blocks, and get inspiration on
how to address their current challenges.
Building blocks Core elements of a solution, such as instruments, tools, approaches, partnerships or processes,
that determine its success. Building blocks may be adapted and, if appropriate, recombined with others to address
specific challenges in different socio-cultural and ecological contexts, sectors, or geographies.
Face-to-face solutions exchange Encounters that allow participants to learn about approaches that have been
proven successful, and to experience in solution-ing workshops how building blocks can be adapted, recombined
and used to address new challenges. For example regional exchange fora.
Solutions Successful approaches (projects, activities, initiatives) that are effective (applied with demonstrated
impact) and scalable (contain elements with the potential for upscaling or replication).
Solutions exchange Facilitated exchange of solutions. The Blue Solutions Initiative facilitates the exchange of
solutions through face-to-face meetings, an online platform and the integration of solutions into capacity development activities.
Solution innovator Person inspired by other solutions, who creates a new solution by adapting and reusing
building blocks to address challenges in his or her own work context.
Solution provider Person involved in the implementation of the solution, who documents the solution in the
solution template. This person has in-depth knowledge on the solution and can give information on “what works
why and how”. Ideally, this person would be willing to be contacted by others and engage in exchanges around
solutions.
Solution seeker Person facing a challenge in his or her work context and looking for inspiration on how to
address this challenge without re-inventing the wheel.
Solution template Format used for the documentation of solutions, with focus on the identification, description
and interaction of building blocks of a solution. The aim is to describe a solution in a clear and concise way that is
inspiring and helpful for solution seeker and innovators.
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5.0
published by
responsible
editor
layout/design
etc.
date of
publication
blue solutions
IMPRINT
blue solutions
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
GRID-Arendal
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment,
Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB)
© 2015
Ilona Porsché
Janina Korting
now [nau]
kommunikative & visuelle gestaltung
www.now-nau.de
February 2015
www.bluesolutions.info
www.bluesolutions.info/exchange