40 Regions Unite to Build Climate Resilience for 53 Million Europeans
    40 Regions Unite to Build Climate Resilience for 53 Million Europeans
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    40 Regions Unite to Build Climate Resilience for 53 Million Europeans

    18 September 2024

    18 September 2024 - Freiburg, Germany
    Some of Europe’s most vulnerable regions and communities are poised to make actionable progress on adapting to climate change. Forty regions and communities (listed below) have been selected to take part in Pathways2Resilience, a flagship project of the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change, to apply a new, transformative approach in their climate adaptation plans, with systemic innovation at its core. This innovative programme will support selected regions to strengthen their resilience to a wide range of hazards, from droughts to wildfires, to better protect their combined population of more than 53 million. 16 of the selected 40 regions have reported being at high risk of exposure to climate hazards, citing heatwaves, wildfires, droughts, and floods as the most urgent.
    Regions and communities participating in the programme will have 18 months to develop a robust climate resilience strategy, complemented by an action plan and investment plan. In addition to a grant of €210,000, they will have access to practical guidelines, tools, and hands-on training and mentoring developed by Pathways2Resilience experts.
    Mete Coban, Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy of the Greater London Authority, said: “We are delighted that London has been chosen as one of the recipients of this flagship project - it’s a testament to all the climate resilience work we have already started across the capital that we have been chosen as part of the first cohort. The support from Pathways2Resilience funding will enable us to take forward some of the recommendations from the London Climate Resilience Review to ensure London is prepared for the changing climate we have already experienced in the city. Worldwide projects like this can support us as we continue to build a fairer, greener London for everyone.”
    Many of the selected regions are facing multi-faceted climate hazards: “The challenges Marche Region intends to face are related to a wider array of climate risks, including drought or river and sea floods, which occur in a territory characterised by mountains and highly populated sea areas, with the aggravating factor of an elevated seismic risk,” notes Stefano Aguzzi, Councillor for the Environment in the Marche Region of Italy. He added that: “Thanks to the involvement with Pathways2Resilience, the Region aims at defining and implementing its own climate resilience regional journey by enhancing collaboration across borders and sectors and by implementing multi-objective measures. In the Pathways2Resilience context, Marche Region expects to consolidate strong partnerships with the other involved Regions in order to overcome common weaknesses by learning from others and building together through knowledge exchanges.”
    The initial cohort marks a first step toward the goal of Pathways2Resilience to support what will be a total of 100 regions and communities as they move towards climate resilience. The regions will be supported by a total of 21 million euros in cascade funding, allocated through two public calls for applications (the second of which will be launched in June 2025). This first cohort is part of Pathways2Resilience’s aim to mobilise communities and elevate the ambition and capability of regional public administrations as they embark on a journey toward a more resilient future.
    “Achieving a just transition to climate resilience will require a transformation that goes beyond performing technical tasks to changing mindsets and attitudes,” notes Laura Pando Martínez, Pathways2Resilience project coordinator and learning expert at EIT Climate-KIC. “Building a resilient future for all requires not only protecting the most vulnerable, but also making sure they have an active role in designing solutions and reaping opportunities. We are committed to helping communities thrive while adapting to a changing climate, through the power of collaboration, innovation and shared learning”, she added.
    See the regions with Pathways2Resilience participants
    Pathways2Resilience first cohort

    Name of Region / Community

    Lead entity

    Country 

    Selenice 

    Selenice Municipality 

    Albania 

    Ararat Community 

    Nexus Intellect Research NGO 

    Armenia 

    Herzegovina-Neretva Canton 

    Hutovo Blato Nature Park 

    Bosnia and Herzegovina 

    Varna Municipality 

    Varna Municipality 

    Bulgaria 

    Istria County  

    North-West Croatia Regional Energy and Climate Agency 

    Croatia 

    Aradippou Municipality 

    Aradippou Municipality 

    Cyprus 

    Přerov 

    Statutory city Prerov 

    Czechia 

    Zlín Region 

    Palacky University in Olomouc 

    Czechia 

    Region Zealand 

    Region Zealand 

    Denmark 

    Greater London 

    Greater London Authority 

    England 

    Greater Manchester 

    Greater Manchester Combined Authority 

    England 

    Saue 

    Saue Municipality 

    Estonia 

    Kymenlaakso Region 

    Regional Council of Kymenlaakso 

    Finland 

    Région Île-de-France 

    Région Île-de-France 

    France 

    Région Normandie 

    Région Normandie 

    France 

    Bremen 

    Bremen Ministry For Environment, Climate And Science 

    Germany 

    Ithaki 

    Dimos Ithakis 

    Greece 

    Region of Western Greece 

    Region of Western Greece 

    Greece 

    Budapest 

    City of Budapest 

    Hungary 

    Donegal 

    Donegal County Council 

    Ireland 

    Tipperary 

    Tipperary County Council 

    Ireland 

    Marche Region 

    Regione Marche

    Italy 

    Umbria Region 

    Regione Umbria 

    Italy 

    Klaipeda 

    Klaipeda State Seaport Authority 

    Lithuania 

    Cetinje 

    Agency for Development and Business Support 

    Montenegro 

    Arnhem-Nijmegen 

    Green Metropolitan Region Arnhem-Nijmegen 

    Netherlands 

    Gelderland 

    Province of Gelderland 

    Netherlands 

    Municipality of Sveti Nikole 

    Municipality of Sveti Nikole 

    North Macedonia 

    Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodship 

    University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn 

    Poland 

    Alentejo Central 

    Association of Municipalities of Central Alentejo - AMCAL 

    Portugal 

    Terras de Trás-os-Montes 

    Intermunicipal Community of Terras de Trás-os-Montes 

    Portugal 

    West Region 

    Regional Development Agency of the West Region 

    Romania 

    The Arilje Municipality 

    Arilje Municipality 

    Serbia 

    Prešov Region 

    Prešov Self-Governing Region 

    Slovakia 

    Gorenjska 

    Local Energy Agency of Gorenjska 

    Slovenia 

    Castilla y León 

    Provincial Council of Valladolid 

    Spain 

    City of Málaga 

    Malaga City Council 

    Spain 

    Skåne 

    County Administrative Board of Skåne 

    Sweden 

    Sanliurfa 

    Sanliurfa Metropolitan Municipality 

    Türkiye 

    TRC1 (Gaziantep, Adıyaman and Kilis) 

    Silkroad Development Agency 

    Türkiye 

    About Pathways2Resilience: Pathways2Resilience will empower at least 100 regions and communities to co-design visions of a climate resilient future and corresponding transformative, locally led pathways and innovation agendas that ensure long-term impact through political commitment. Led by Climate KIC, the P2R consortium brings the combined strength of: regional network organisations, technical designers and innovators of transformative adaptation, adaptation finance experts, learning and capability building specialists, and monitoring and innovation impact partner.
    About ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability: ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability is a global network of more than 2,500 local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development. Active in 125 countries, we influence sustainability policy and drive local action for low emission, nature-based, equitable, resilient and circular development. ICLEI Europe provides members in Europe, the Middle East and West Asia with a voice on European and international stages, a platform to connect with peers, and tools to drive positive environmental, economic and social change. ICLEI Europe works closely with an extended network of local and regional governments and partners on a broad range of topics.
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