System Mapping and Analysis of the Blue Economy Using R4S and Practical Application of Systems Change for Resilience of the Blue Economy

This paper explores the application of the Resilience for Social Systems (R4S) Approach to bolster the resilience of the blue economy, with a specific focus on the department of La Guajira, Colombia. The R4S Approach, developed by GOAL in 2016, aims to guide the implementation of humanitarian and development interventions by analyzing socio-economic systems and their reactions to external shocks and stresses. Through a comprehensive application of the R4S Approach, this study examines its effectiveness in informing interventions within the context of the small-scale sustainable fisheries sector in La Guajira and the Wayuu indigenous population, which depends on this system. By comprehensively mapping the dynamics of the system, including its strengths, weaknesses, and interdependencies, this paper showcases how the R4S Approach can effectively contribute to bolstering resilience and supporting the development of vulnerable communities. By sharing the insights and experiences gained from the case study in La Guajira, this research seeks to contribute to the wider discourse on enhancing the resilience of the blue economy and promoting sustainable socio-economic development for vulnerable populations.