SERES is a transdisciplinary initiative that integrates nature-based solutions (NbS) to strengthen the socio-ecological resilience of the territory. The project, developed by Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana and ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability in collaboration with the local administration of La Estrella, works with three educational institutions—Colegio Los Robles, Colegio Canadiense, and Colegio Waldorf Isolda—as platforms for community mediation and knowledge exchange.

The project promotes ecological restoration and food security through small-scale actions such as urban gardens, composting, collective planting days in prioritized areas, and rainwater harvesting systems. To date, the first rainwater harvesting prototype has been built and delivered at Colegio Waldorf Isolda Echavarría. Additional prototypes are currently being developed for implementation in other institutions and for the broader community within facilities of the Municipality of La Estrella. In parallel, a guidebook is being developed to systematize the experience and facilitate its replicability, along with the design of a traveling exhibition that will document the process and outcomes of the implemented actions.

As part of the educational component, the course “Ecological and Social Management: Integrated Approaches for the Territory� was developed. The course included approximately 24 hours of sessions distributed over several weeks, strengthening capacities in climate adaptation, collaborative governance, and the restoration of social ecosystems. It was designed for undergraduate students from the Faculty of Architecture and other academic programs, as well as university departments dedicated to science communication and social appropriation of knowledge at Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana. The course also included participation from officials from municipalities affiliated with the ICLEI municipal network and various stakeholders from the Municipality of La Estrella.

Ultimately, SERES seeks to strengthen collaboration between academia, local government, and communities to promote sustainable territorial practices. By integrating environmental education, community participation, and nature-based solutions, the project aims to generate long-term socio-ecological resilience in peri-urban landscapes. Through knowledge exchange, practical interventions, and the development of replicable tools such as prototypes, educational materials, and public exhibitions, SERES aspires to inspire similar initiatives in other territories facing comparable environmental and social challenges.

Moreover, the R&D phase analysis lessons learnt from other countries and deeply by fieldworks on on-site upgrading of informal settlements and on retreat options, enhanced by knowledge transfer to and from Thailand and Vietnam.

This knowledge leads to two pilot studies for resilient upgrading and resilient retreat designs on the ground (WP 2 and WP 3) and to guidelines for resilient upgrading and resilient retreat. This package will serve for mainstreaming upgrading and retreat in urban risk management (WP 4), assessing local policies in South East Asia and disseminated to relevant stakeholders. The same applies to tailor-made training courses and a Joint PhD program with UP SURP where knowledge and solutions will be generated and transferred and disseminated (WP 5).

The Badilisha Digital Resource Centers (DRC) project is a school-community affiliate initiative that transforms educational institutions into hubs for regional digital resilience. By leveraging professional-grade telecommunications infrastructure, we create a “Digital Commons� where university innovation directly fuels community economic growth.

​Partners & University Assets:

Building on my foundation as an alumnus of Uganda Christian University, we collaborate with local institutions such as the University of Nairobi and Kenyatta University and Dar Salaam University in Tanzania(IYF Partnered in April 2025). We utilize university assets—specifically ICT faculty and student researchers—to provide technical oversight and data-driven management for our community networks. This academic rigor is reinforced by my professional background as a Telecom Engineer for Safaricom and Zuku, ensuring all installations meet industrial standards.

​Community Need & Proven Impact:

Many youth-led enterprises in our region struggle with the “last mile� of digital access. We have already addressed this by successfully installing managed internet services at Green Palm Secondary School and St. Claret Primary School. These sites serve as real-world proof that school-based digital hubs can effectively provide the connectivity required for local business incubation and student success.

Work Plan & Reinvestment Model:

During this partnership, we will:

​Deploy Wireless Internet Service Provider (WISP) Access Point Repeaters to extend university connectivity into surrounding neighborhoods.
​Implement a Social Revenue-Sharing Model where a percentage of service fees is reinvested into the hub for long-term maintenance and student innovation stipends.
​Develop our 3.5-acre flagship site in Utange into a regional center for digital business continuity and an international franchise training ground.