Unlike dams, levees and other traditional methods to flood control, nature-based solutions (NbS) like wetland restoration or improved land-use planning strategies could offer a more sustainable solution to flooding but are often complex to implement and require consideration of the local context in which they are proposed.

This study engaged stakeholders from two administrative areas in Guyana – a country where 90% of the population lives below sea level in flood prone areas – through participatory mapping workshops to better understand their local realities. Specifically, these sessions captured how flooding impacts differ across the study areas, how flood patterns have changed over time and what communities see as the main causes.

The findings are being used to build a model that blends scientific analysis with community input—helping policymakers test and co-design effective solutions, including locally supported NbS.

Such an inclusive approach promises to strengthen long-term flood resilience and ensure that future solutions reflect both technical expertise and lived experience.