Sixty-two among the most vulnerable European regions (full list here) have been selected to increase their climate adaptation plans under Pathways2Resilience, a flagship project of the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change.
Launched in 2023, the programme now engages a total of 100 local and regional authorities – representing over 100 million people – in a range of trainings designed to enhance their preparedness for climate change impacts through proven resilience-planning approaches.
“I warmly congratulate all regions selected in the second Pathways2Resilience cohort” said Elina Bardram, Mission Adaptation Manager at the European Commission. “As a flagship initiative, Pathways2Resilience helps the EU Mission on Adaptation deliver on its objectives and advance regional climate resilience together, through tailored support and peer learning.”
The newly selected regions – home to around 55 million people – identified their top climate hazards affecting infrastructure, public safety, and the cultural sector: coastal and river flooding (43%), heat stress (36%), and droughts (21%).
“Being selected for Pathways2Resilience is a strong recognition of Worms’ long-term work on climate adaptation. Located in one of Germany’s warmest regions, we will use this support to further strengthen our climate resilience by integrating climate adaptation, heat and water strategies, and by learning with and from other European cities facing similar challenges,” stated Mayor Stephanie Rohr of City of Worms, one of the newly selected regions in Germany.
“As a coastal and urban region facing increasing climate pressures, we look forward to strategic guidance, shared expertise, and tools that will support long-term, integrated climate adaptation planning” said a representative from Odesa Oblast, one of the Ukrainian selected regions.
“The Košice Self-Governing Region has long positioned itself as a green region, building climate resilience in close cooperation with municipalities and local stakeholders, primarily through nature-based adaptation measures. I am delighted that Košice Region has been selected for the Pathways2Resilience programme, as the growing risks of drought and extreme precipitation, along with our above-average vulnerability, highlight the need for systematic adaptation measures. This project will enable us to modernise the region’s adaptation strategy, leverage expert know-how, and engage in meaningful knowledge exchange with partner regions,” said Rastislav Trnka, President of the Košice Self-Governing Region, a Slovakian region selected for the new cohort.
“We are very pleased that East Iceland [Austurland] has been selected to participate in the Pathways2Resilience programme. The region faces increasing climate-related challenges, particularly in rural and coastal communities, and this collaboration will support us in strengthening knowledge, developing practical solutions and building long-term adaptive capacity,” commented Berglind Harpa Svavarsdóttir, Chair of the Association of Municipalities in East Iceland (SSA), following Austurland’s selection as a Pathways2Resilience region.
The newly selected regions join the 38 regions that have started the programme in October 2024, gaining valuable peer support and experience. Each region will receive 210.000€ in grant funding alongside access to tailored tools and guidance, interactive peer learning, mentoring, and expert guidance. The cohort will have 18 months to develop a robust climate resilience strategy, as well as an action and investment plan. This second round represents the final allocation of the EU-funded project’s €21 million cascade funding.
Budapest summit: gathering Europe’s adaptation community
On February 11th, these 100 regions will gather in Budapest—a city already facing floods and heatwaves but known for its innovative climate resilience efforts—for the Pathways2Resilience summit. The city has moved from fragmented planning to a cohesive resilience strategy, implementing green development initiatives, a rainwater management plan, and measures to combat urban heat and flooding, including the award-winning Pünkösdfürdő Park along the Danube.
The summit will celebrate the achievements of the first cohort while passing the baton to the second, continuing and expanding Pathways2Resilience’s mission to accelerate regional adaptation as Europe warms twice as fast as other continents.
“With 100 regions now on board, Pathways2Resilience is creating a powerful network of local communities committed to climate adaptation” said Thomas Koetz, Senior Advisor for Climate Resilient Regions at Climate KIC and Pathways2Resilience programme coordinator. “This second cohort brings fresh energy and diverse perspectives, helping us accelerate Europe’s resilience journey at a time when climate impacts are intensifying. As programme coordinator, Climate KIC is proud of how far we’ve come in turning ambition into actionable plans that safeguard people, economies, and ecosystems.”
- Download the map and list of selected regions and communities.
- Visit the Visual Platform for case studies and information on what the first 38 regions have done so far, which will be updated with the newly selected regions.
About Pathways2Resilience
Pathways2Resilience is a flagship project of the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change. EU Missions are novel instruments meant to fast-track implementation of the EU Green Deal in five areas, including climate adaptation. For more information, visit www.pathways2resilience.eu
Pathways2Resilience second cohort
Albania
- Tirana Region
Armenia
- Akunk Community Municipality
Austria
- Elsbeere‑Wienerwald
- Styria
Belgium
- Municipality of Ixelles
- Municipality of Etterbeek
- Wallonia (lead entity: Catholic University of Louvain – UCL)
Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Blidinje Nature Park
- Sarajevo
Bulgaria
- Municipality of Dobrich
- Municipality of Silistra
Croatia
- Križevci Prigorje
Cyprus
- Limassol
Czechia
- Podřipsko region
Denmark
- Municipality of Aalborg
- Municipality of Egedal
Estonia
- West Estonian Archipelago (lead entity: Estonian Islands Energy Agency)
Finland
- South Ostrobothnia
France
- Département du Nord
- Nouvelle‑Aquitaine
- La Réunion
Georgia
- Kakheti (lead entity: Georgian National Environmental Agency)
- Tusheti (lead entity: Akhmeta Municipality)
Germany
- City of Luckau
- City of Worms
- County of Lippe
Greece
- North Aegean
- Region of Attica
Iceland
- East of Iceland / Austurland (lead entity: Austurbrú)
Italy
- Emilia‑Romagna
- Municipality of Pescara
- Tepilora Natural Regional Park (Sardinia Region)
Kosovo
- Municipality of Podujevë (lead entity: University of Prishtina)
Lithuania
- Alytus Region (lead entity: Alytus Regional Development Council)
Moldova
- Municipality of Cimișlia
- Municipality of Nisporeni
Netherlands
- Twente (lead entity: City of Enschede)
North Macedonia
- Northeastern Statistical Region (lead entity: Municipality of Kumanovo)
Norway
- Akershus County
- Kristiansand Region
Portugal
- Municipality of Braga
- Aveiro Region
Romania
- North‑West Region (lead entity: North-West Regional Development Agency)
- Teleorman County (lead entity: Babes-Bolyai University)
Serbia
- Southern Serbia region (lead entity: Regional Development Agency South)
Slovakia
- Košice region
- Žilina region
Slovenia
- Goriška region (lead entity: Goriška Local Energy Agency)
- Municipality of Trbovlje
Spain
- Catalonia (lead entity: Ministry for Home Affairs and Public Safety of Catalonia)
- Province of Cádiz (lead entity: Fundacion Medio Ambiente, Energia y Sostenibilidad Provincia de Cadiz)
Türkiye
- Çukurova Region (lead entity: Adana Chamber of Industry)
- Municipality of Üsküdar
- Van Subregion (TRB2) (lead entity: Eastern Anatolia Development Agency)
Ukraine
- Chernihiv Oblast (lead entity: Chernihiv Polytechnic National University)
- Lviv Oblast (lead entity: Regional Development Agency of Lviv Region)
- Odesa Oblast (lead entity: Odesa 5T)
- Volyn Oblast (lead entity: Regional Development Agency of the Volyn region)
United Kingdom
- City of Belfast
- Kent
- City of Plymouth
