Understanding barriers and enablers for the implementation of water-related nature-based solutions in the Andes: A mixed-methods study

Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are increasingly acknowledged as effective strategies for addressing water-related issues in urban and peri-urban environments. However, their implementation is frequently obstructed by institutional, technical, and financial barriers, particularly in regions of the Global South facing complex socio-institutional challenges. This study aims to identify key barriers and enablers for implementing NbS for rainwater management and water sowing and harvesting in an understudied context such as the Andean region, employing a mixed-methods approach. A systematic literature review followed by expert surveys and interviews led to the identification of a final set of 36 barriers and 19 enablers. A principal component analysis grouped barriers into five dimensions: institutional and governance, cultural and social, knowledge and capacity, technical and information, and financial. The institutional and governance dimension occupies a dominant position (40.9%) and encompassed several of the highest-ranked barriers. To address these barriers, experts prioritized enablers including diversified funding (mean = 4.54), context-specific guidelines (4.37), cross-sectoral cooperation (4.33), participatory governance (4.26), and stakeholder training (4.19). This exploratory study represents one of the first efforts in the Andean region to systematically connect perceived barriers and enablers in the context of water-related NbS. • 36 barriers and 19 enablers for water-related NBS were identified in the Andes. • Key barriers include governance gaps, low technical capacity, and lack of funding. • Strategic enablers include coordination, training, and community co-design. • Expert insights were gathered through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. • Barrier–enabler linkages offer insights for systemic NBS implementation.