EU Policy action to prevent and prepare for the growing impacts of climate change is at a turning point. While many initiatives, particularly those developed under the EU Mission: Adaptation to Climate Change, have generated strong good practices, the next challenge is to mainstream their adoption and secure long-term success of these climate solutions.
At the same time, the need for cities and regions to adapt to climate change is becoming more tangible and urgent. The devastating wildfires in the south of France of summer 2025, the recurring drought episodes affecting Belgium, the deadly floods that affected Slovenia in 2023 or more recently the violent storms devastating Sicily in January 2026 all illustrate how diverse and widespread climate vulnerabilities are across the Union.
As the EU climate goals call for a shift from the Mission’s pilot actions to mainstream climate adaptation investment, the key challenge is how to scale up successful approaches. This moment coincides with a major policy window: the Climate Resilience and Risk Management Integrated Framework, the Governance Regulation review and the development of the next Multiannual Financial Framework. Together, these will shape how climate resilience is embedded in EU planning and investment for the post-2030 decade.
In this context, the objective of the conference is to present the needs of cities and regions to boost resilience to climate change, share concrete adaptation solutions, explore the policy levers that can support their uptake.
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