Strengthening the governance of resilience: unpacking regulation for local action and leveraging policy insights from the ground
Strategic frameworks for local and regional climate resilience are rapidly evolving, as are the practices that are implemented on the ground. This thematic stream explores how climate resilience is shaped, governed, and delivered across levels. Sessions in this stream will both unpack the practical realities of navigating policies and regulations and reflect on emerging directions in EU climate policy. At the same time, a strong emphasis will be placed on planning, multifunctional nature-based solutions and governance strategies to break administrative siloes. The goal is to shed light on how cities can move beyond fragmented, sectoral responses toward integrated approaches that embed climate resilience as a core principle of local development.
Guiding questions:
How can local and regional authorities navigate complex multi-level governance and regulatory environments to translate evolving EU climate resilience policy into effective, locally grounded strategies?
What governance innovations and planning practices, including multifunctional nature-based solutions, can help break administrative siloes and enable integrated climate resilience approaches across sectors and territories?
In the context of emerging EU frameworks and support mechanisms, how can cities and regions strengthen their institutional capacity and partnerships to co-design, finance and deliver resilient development pathways?
Explore the sessions in this stream
Regional Climate Resilience and Adaptation Pathways: Lessons Learnt and Policy insights from on the ground experience
This interactive workshop will bring together European regions to exchange experiences on turning climate resilience strategies into action. Participants will join thematic discussions on key aspects of regional resilience, including enabling a just transition, developing effective resilience pathways, strengthening adaptation governance, enabling effective learning on the Regional Resilience Journey (RRJ) through NbS implementation, and translating EU‑level climate risk insights into actionable pathways for regions.
From megatrends to strategic foresight at local level: Addressing urban resilience
Global megatrends such as climate change, rapid technological development and geopolitical shifts are reshaping the risk landscape for cities. This session examines the role of strategic foresight and scenario planning in helping local governments anticipate change rather than merely react to crises. Drawing on experiences from Baltic Sea Region cities, the discussion will explore how foresight tools can inform policy, planning and long-term urban resilience.
Navigating (non)-binding policies across governance levels: the nitty gritty for local and regional authorities
The Nature Restoration Regulation mandates no net loss of urban green space and tree canopy cover by 2030 at the national level. The EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 enlists all cities with populations of 20,000 to create Urban Nature Plans. The EU Soil Monitoring Law aims to ensure healthy soils by 2050. But which of these targets are legally binding, to which levels of governance do they apply, and what are the legal obligations of local and regional authorities? Join EU policy experts and city representatives in a conversation around the opportunities and challenges these varied legal environments present cities. Learnings will be integrated in upcoming policy briefs on Urban Nature Plans and spatial planning.
The MEL Clinic: Diagnosing and strengthening regional and local learning systems
This interactive workshop explores how Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) systems operates in practice at various levels of governance, from small municipalities to regional authorities. Participants will have a chance to share their challenges related to integrating MEL into climate resilience processes, with possible solutions then shared by experts and all other participants in a clinic-type format. The workshop will highlight how learning can drive adaptive action and strengthen long-term resilience.
Greener regions, real impact: Beyond the Buzzword to make Nature-based Solutions work
Nature-based Solutions are widely recognised for addressing climate challenges, yet the concept often remains broad and inconsistently applied. This interactive workshop explores how to clarify, accelerate and mainstream NBS across Europe’s diverse regions. Through a World Café format, participants will engage in small-group exchanges across thematic tables, rotating between discussions and concluding with a collective reflection on key takeaways.
Co-organised by the NBS4EU Network, the session will also mark the launch of the CARDIMED Resilience Alliance, strengthening collaboration and systemic transformation in line with EU Adaptation goals.
Bridging structures and breaking silos: how can administrations foster cooperation for an effective implementation of local adaptation solutions?
This session aims to discuss how to make resilience an integrated part of urban administration and break silos in the process, offering an opportunity to learn from network organisations and national/regional hubs on what works vs. does not work regarding governance and coordination across levels, sectors, and countries as well as share actional ideas of how to overcome barriers faced. Partners and government representatives from Adaptation Mission projects like REGILIENCE+ and AdaptationHubs will bring in their expertise and experiences with multi-level governance and coordination challenges, bottom-up engagement and solutions across hazard or adaptation topical contexts.