EURESFO26 programme
Take a first look into the programme for EURESFO26.
The 13th European Urban Resilience Forum will take place on 17-19 June 2026 in Guimarães, Portugal.
The venue of EURESFO26 will be the Pavilhão Multiusos de Guimarães.
More information on all sessions and site-visits to come soon.
Day 1 - 17 June 2026
Time
Content
8.00 - 9.00
Registration
Location
Entrance & Main Hall 9.00 - 10.30
Opening Plenary Day 1: Beyond Adaptation: Integrated Resilience for Place-based Climate Extremes
Location
Plenary AreaSpeakers
Ricardo Araújo (Mayor of Guimarães) Carlos Ribeiro (Landscape Laboratory & Executive Board Guimarães 26 European Green Capital) Natalia Alonso Cano (United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)) Antonella Valmorbida (ALDA – European Association for Local Democracy) Grammatiki Papazoglou (City of Athens)Moderator
Vasileios Latinos (ICLEI Europe) Lucy Gregersen (European Environment Agency) Natasha Walker (Natasha Walker Associates) - Master of Ceremonies 10.30 - 11.15
Coffee break - MARKETPLACE and NETWORKING
Location
Entrance & Main Hall 11.15 - 12.30
From vulnerability to active citizenship: fostering inclusive decision-making towards just adaptation
Thematic Stream
Stream 1 - People at the centreLocation
Room 1Speakers
João Dinis (Cascais Municipality) Mari Puuram (Estonian Forum of People with Disabilities) Johannes Klein (Demos Helsinki) Boryana Stancheva (Association of Danube River Municipalities) Daria Kaliuzhna (Vinnytsia City Council, Ukraine)Moderator
Estibaliz Sanz / Jaione Ortíz (Just4Safe Coordination) Vivien Franck (ICLEI Europe) Laia García Fernández (ICLEI Europe)Bridging structures and breaking silos: how can administrations foster cooperation for an effective implementation of local adaptation solutions?
Thematic Stream
Stream 2 - Strengthening the governance of resilienceLocation
Room 3Speakers
Elisa Rivera Mendoza (General Directorate for Planning, Coordination and Knowledge Transfer, Ministry of Science and Technology) Sophie Berger (Mission on Adaptation, DG RTD) Jonas Lundgreen Dall (City of Vejle) Miljenko Sedlar (REGEA – AdaptationHubs Coordinator) Maria José Silvente Martinez (Directorate-General for Spatial Planning and Architecture, Region of Murcia)Moderator
Jen Heemann (Institute for European Energy and Climate Policy (IEECP) / REGILIENCE+ Coordinator) Federico Aili (Resilient Cities Network)Enhancing water security in small, insular and climate-vulnerable communities
Thematic Stream
Stream 3 - Managing climate extremes in a place-sensitive wayLocation
Pitch StageSpeakers
Dr. Thanasis Sfetsos (NCSR Demokritos; representing Syros, Greece) Laia D'Armengol (La Palma Research Centre (LPRC); representing La Palma, Spain) Jeppe Ustrup Hermann (Samsø Kommune; representing Samsø, Denmark) Dr. Christian Zammit (Gozo Regional Development Authority (GRDA); representing Gozo, Malta) Vânia Sousa (Centro de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental; representing Culatra, Portugal)Moderator
Liane Girier-Dufournier (ICLEI Europe)Opening the Resilience Toolbox: Solutions for Safer Urban Spaces
Thematic Stream
Stream 4 - The tools we needLocation
Plenary AreaSpeakers
Valeria Leggieri (University of Camerino) José Manuel Felizardo (Lisbon City Council) Gabrielle Froes (Prospex Institute) Steven Borncamp (Romania Green Building Council) Andreea Szántó (European Environment Agency (EEA) / European Climate and Health Observatory)Moderator
Selene Angelone (ICLEI) Celina Solari (RINA)In parallel: Mayors' Programme
Timing (ext)
See belowLocation
Laboratório da Paisagem (Landscape Laboratory)Information
*outside the venue – transportation provided 12.30 - 13.30
Lunch break
Location
Lunch Area 13.30 - 15.15
Regional climate resilience and adaptation pathways: lessons learnt and policy insights from on the ground experience
Thematic Stream
Stream 2 - Strengthening the governance of resilienceLocation
Room 1Speakers
Sophie Berger (DG Research and Innovation, Unit Climate and Planetary Boundaries) Miljenko Sedlar (REGEA; ARCADIA Project) Joana Peixoto (CIM Cávado; NBRACER Project) Armando Alves (INOVA+; DesirMED project)Moderator
Carmen Antuña Rozado (VTT Finland) Johannes Klein (Demos Helsinki) Heidi Tuhkanen (SEI Tallinn) Julia Tuominaa (University of Helsinki) Thomas Koetz (Climate KIC; Pathways2Resilience Coordinator) Angèle Tasse (Climate KIC; Climate Resilient Regions) Luca Arbau (European Environment Agency)Integrated & holistic resilience: governing place-based climate action
Thematic Stream
Stream 3 - Managing climate extremes in a place-sensitive wayLocation
Room 2Speakers
Jonas Lundgreen Dall (City of Vejle) Isabel Loureiro (Coordinator of the Guimarães 2030 Mission Structure) Sulafa AbuShal (Greater Manchester) João Lopes (Lisbon Metropolitan Area) Dr. Catharina Greve (Project Officer, RescueME Project)Moderator
Francesca Pogg (Lisbon Metropolitan Area) Aitziber Egusquiza (Tecnalia /RescueME ) Nadine Burbar (Resilient Cities Network)From co-creation to co-ownership: meaningful engagement in urban greening and climate resilience
Thematic Stream
Stream 1 - People at the centreLocation
Plenary AreaSpeakers
Simone Nardicchia (Municipality of Milan; Commit2Green) Margaret Gold (Leiden University) Sander Brinkman (Municipality of The Hague) Chiara Farinea (Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC); GreenInCities) Sara Maestre (Autonomous University of Barcelona)Moderator
Selene Angelone (ICLEI Europe) Leon Kapetas (Resilient Cities Network) Lucía D’Amore (ICLEI Europe)The MEL Clinic: Diagnosing and strengthening regional and local learning systems
Thematic Stream
Stream 2 - Strengthening the governance of resilienceLocation
Room 3Speakers
Sanchita Bakshi (IIED Europe) João Sardinha (Intermunicipal Community of Central Alentejo)Moderator
Angeliki Konsta (ICLEI) Maelle Marchand (Climate KIC) Guido Schmidt (Fresh Thoughts Consulting) Tadej Stepisnik-Perdih (NTUA)Financing for nature based solutions on private land
Thematic Stream
Stream 4 - The tools we needLocation
Conference RoomSpeakers
Diana Espada (Bankers Without Boundaries) Renata Haseth (Bankers Without Boundaries) Lenka Krištofová (Agency for the Support of Regional Development Košice; Land4Climate) Eng. Paulo Palha (GREENROOFS® by ANCV; GoNaturePositive!) Marina Trentin (Ambiente Italia)Moderator
Marcelo Gerlach (ICLEI Europe) Laura Pirazán Palomar (ICLEI Europe) Nandni Shah (ICLEI Europe)Homes for all in a changing climate
Thematic Stream
Stream 1 - People at the centreLocation
Pitch StageSpeakers
Louise Heebøll (DelHus) Eduardo Fernandes (CASFIG, Guimarães) Andreea Szántó (European Climate and Health Observatory)Moderator
Pernille Martiny Modvig (Climate KIC) 15.15 - 15.45
COFFEE BREAK
Location
Entrance & Main Hall 15.45 - 17.00
Peer-exchanges
Location
Plenary Area
17.00 - 18.00
Closing Plenary Day 1: Just Resilience in Practice: Housing, Health and Trust in Times of Crisis
Location
Plenary AreaSpeakers
Mar Jimenez (Commissioner of European Affairs, City of Barcelona) Aline Machado Da Matta (UN-Habitat; Head of UNITAC) Valeriia Levchyshyna (Lviv City Institute)Moderator
Natasha Walker (Natasha Walker Associates) - Master of Ceremonies 18.00 onwards
Evening Reception
Location
MultiusosDay 2 - 18 June 2026
Time
Content
8.40 - 9.00
Registration
Location
Entrance & Main Hall 9.00 - 10.00
Opening Plenary Day 2: EU Framework to Local Delivery: Governing Resilience Across Levels
Location
Plenary AreaSpeakers
Sophie Berger (European Commission – Adaptation Mission Secretariat) Luísa Salgueiro (Municipality of Matosinhos, ICLEI Vice President) Harriët Tiemens (Arnhem–Nijmegen Green Metropolitan Region) Konstantina Karydi (Resilient Cities Catalyst / Climate Change Hub Greece) Thomas Koetz (Climate KIC; Pathways2Resilience) Elżbieta Janiszewska (Polish Ministry of Environment)Moderator
Vasileios Latinos (ICLEI Europe) Lucy Gregersen (European Environment Agency) Natasha Walker (Natasha Walker Associates) 10.00 - 11.15
Coffee break - MARKETPLACE and NETWORKING
Location
Entrance & Main Hall 11.15 - 12.30
Climate Change, Conflict and Displacement: The Ripple Effect
Thematic Stream
Stream 1 - People at the centreLocation
Plenary AreaSpeakers
Monika Kuffer (University of Twente) Pavlo Yablonskyi (City of Vinnytsia ) Kerrie Holloway (ODI Global) Igor Cvetkovski ( International Organization for Migration )Moderator
Dr.Nuha Eltinay (ICLEI Europe ) Holger Robrecht (ICLEI Europe ) Oksana Kysil (Covenant of Mayors East)From megatrends to strategic foresight at local level: Addressing urban resilience
Thematic Stream
Stream 2 - Strengthening the governance of resilienceLocation
Room 2Speakers
Merlin Mängel (City of Tallinn) Patrik Faming (City of Ystad) Silvia Haslinger Olsson (Nordic Urban Resilience Institute (NURI))Moderator
Magnus Qvant (Co-founder, NURI, Nordic Urban Resilience Institue)Integrated approaches for wildfire protection
Thematic Stream
Stream 3 - Managing climate extremes in a place-sensitive wayLocation
Pitch StageSpeakers
Alfons Domínguez (City of Alzira) Nancy Alonistioti (DRYADS Project) Stella Psarropoulou (Alexander Innovation Zone S.A.) Carlos Silveira (CCDRC Portugal/ RESIST Project)Moderator
Vasileios Latinos (ICLEI Europe) Vivien Frank (ICLEI Europe)The two sides of AI: AI for resilience or resilience from AI
Thematic Stream
Stream 4 - The tools we needLocation
Room 1Speakers
Aline Machado (UN-Habitat) Marko Adamovic (Destination Earth (DestinE), European Commission) Miquel Martin (Bit Genoma, Barcelona) Bettina Tratz-Ryan (Gartner)Moderator
Alis-Daniela Torres (ICLEI Europe) Tanya Baycheva-Merger (ICLEI Europe) 12.30 - 13.30
Lunch break
Location
Lunch Area 13.30 - 15.15
Winning the Climate Narrative: Disinformation, Trust, & the Politics of Resilience
Thematic Stream
Stream 1 - People at the centreLocation
Room 1Speakers
Patricia Carbonell (REVOLVE Media) Alfons Domínguez (City of Alzira) Carlos Almeida (Região de Leiria Newspaper) Danylo Titenko (elDiario.es) Hugo Rodrigues (Jornal Sul Informação) Lluna Bartual (El Salto País Valencià)Moderator
Clemens Schöll (Clean Energy Wire)Financing Climate Resilience: Bridging Pathways, Projects, and Investment
Thematic Stream
Stream 4 - The tools we needLocation
Room 2Speakers
Renata Haseth (Bankers Without Boundaries) João Fonseca Santos (European Investment Bank (EIB) Group Office in Portugal)Moderators
Lilia Magdoud (CLIMATEFIT / CMCC) Ana Enev (Pathways2Resilience (P2R) / Climate KIC) Marieta Homann (BLOSSOM, NetZeroCities / Climate KIC) Kit England (Paul Watkiss Associates)Planning for resilient landscapes: Linking water management and soil health through NbS
Thematic Stream
Stream 3 - Managing climate extremes in a place-sensitive wayLocation
Plenary AreaSpeakers
Maria Angela Cunha (Aveiro) Carlos Ribeiro (Guimarães) Catalin Aldescu (National Administration “Romanian Waters”; Land4Climate)Moderators
Karen Naciph (ICLEI Europe) Marcelo Gerlach (ICLEI Europe) Kassia Rudd (ICLEI Europe) Nandni Shah (ICLEI Europe)Greener regions, real impact: Beyond the buzzword to make Nature-based Solutions work
Thematic Stream
Stream 2 - Strengthening the governance of resilienceLocation
Room 3Speakers
Marie Caroline Vallon (Région Sud – Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur; CARDIMED) Cristina Carvalho Monteiro (Municipality of Porto; NBRACER) Lenka Krištofová (Region of Košice; Land4Climate) Theodoros Tzoumas (Municipality of Skiathos; NURISH) Theocharis Nazos (National Technical University of Athens (NTUA); NURISH) Sander Brinkman (Municipality of The Hague; Commit2Green)Moderators
Tadej Stepisnik Perdih (NTUA; CARDIMED) Lucía D'Amore (ICLEI Europe)Empowering cities with digital tools: roadmaps for accelerating climate resilience and risk-informed planning
Thematic Stream
Stream 4 - The tools we needLocation
Conference RoomSpeakers
Manuela Prino (City of Turin; TIPS4PED) Kristen Guida (City of London) Afroditi Mathioudaki (CDP) Júlia Camps Farrés (City of Barcelona; URBANAIR) Aitziber Egusquiza (Tecnalia; RescueME)Moderators
Federico Aili (Resilient Cities Network) Alison De Luise (EU Covenant of Mayors / Climate Alliance) Tanya Baycheva-Merger (ICLEI Europe)Navigating (non)-binding policies across governance levels: the nitty gritty for local and regional authorities
Thematic Stream
Stream 2 - Strengthening the governance of resilienceLocation
Pitch StageSpeakers
Marufa Sultana (KIT) Francisco Carvalho (Guimarães) Mariam Jahning (Institute for Urban Excellence) Louis Durrant (Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP); NetworkNature) Feliu Torres Efren (Tecnalia; SPADES and UNP+) Siim Reinla (Municipality of Viimsi) Simone Nardicchia (City of Milan)Moderator
Kassia Rudd (ICLEI Europe) 15.15 - 15.45
COFFEE BREAK
Location
Entrance & Main Hall 15.45 - 17.00
Peer-exchanges
Location
Plenary Area
17.00 - 18.00
Closing Plenary Day 2: Scaling What Works: Finance and Tools for Resilience Beyond Pilots
Location
Plenary AreaSpeakers
Shtilyana Koppe (ICLEI Europe) Ali Cem Deniz (UNDP Türkiye) Bernd Decker (CINEA / LIFE Programme) Maike Schmidt (New Economics Foundation) Kit England (Paul Watkiss Associates)Moderator
Natasha Walker (Natasha Walker Associates) 19.30
Dinner
Location
SÉCULO XIX Guimaraes (R. Rómulo de Carvalho 257 4800-076, 4800-076 Guimarães - Please note that transportation to the dinner venue is not organised; participants are kindly asked to make their own way there.)Day 3 - 19 June 2026
Time
Content
9.00
Gather at Visit meeting point
9.00 - 13.00
Site Visit 1
Guimarães UNESCO Heritage: our past leveraging the green transitionSubtitle
Guimarães Latito Hill & District CMeeting point
“Aqui nasceu Portugal” WallSite Visit 2
Guimarães Biocultural CorridorSubtitle
Guimarães Retention Basins & Gymnastics AcademyMeeting point
“Aqui nasceu Portugal” WallSite Visit 3
Sustainable use of soil: from Policy food to Research and InnovationSubtitle
Community Garden, Veiga de Creixomil & Landscape LaboratoryMeeting point
Multiusos de Guimarães (main entrance)Site Visit 4
Penha MountainMeeting point
Cable Car of Guimarães – Hortas station – 10 minutes walking from the Historic Centre 12.30
Transportation back to venue
Mayors' programme (Day 1 - 17 June 2026, by invitation only)
- 9:00-10:30 Opening Plenary
- 10:30-10:45 transport to Laboratório da Paisagem
- 10:45-11:30 Arrival, Coffee-Break, European Green Capital Immersive Experience
- 11:30-13:00 Mayors’ Dialogue on Climate Resilient Housing in Europe - location: Auditorium (Laboratório)
- 13:00-14:00 Mayors' Lunch
- 14:00 - 15:15 Short site visit + transport back to Multiusos
- 15:15-15:45 Coffee Break at Multiusos
- 15:45-17:00 Peer-exchanges at Multiusos
- 17:00-18:00 Closing Plenary at Multiusos
- from 18:00 - Evening Reception at Multiusos
About the Peer Exchanges (15.45 - 17.00, Plenary Area)
Towards the the end of each day, all EURESFO participants will gather in the Plenary Area for a facilitated peer exchange. In small groups, participants will share and connect insights from across the programme, identify common priorities and formulate practical recommendations for action to take home.
Key messages will be harvested live and fed directly into the respective closing plenary, helping shape the day’s high-level synthesis.