Mobilizing Communities for Climate Adaptation: Key Takeaways from the European Climate Pact Session

The session “Mobilizing Communities for Climate Adaptation” at the 2025 European Climate Pact annual event highlighted the essential role of community engagement in addressing climate challenges. Coordinated by FEDARENE and the REGILIENCE project, the session brought together a Climate Pact Ambassador and representatives from key EU-funded projects, including REGILIENCE, IMPETUS, TransformAr, and ARSINOE. The speakers shared valuable insights on the power of local knowledge, cross-sector collaboration, and long-term commitment to effective climate adaptation.

Key takeaways from the session

• Civil society plays a crucial role in climate action
  Engaging local communities and integrating their knowledge into climate adaptation strategies is essential for ensuring that solutions are context-specific, relevant, and effective. Active participation from civil society is key to the success of adaptation efforts at every level. Ensuring that all voices are heard helps create solutions that are socially acceptable and supported by the community. The case of the floods in Valencia serves as a powerful example of how communities can come together in solidarity during times of crisis, building resilience and demonstrating the importance of collective action. This kind of solidarity strengthens both community bonds and adaptation efforts.

• Effective and targeted communication can amplify your message
  Highlighting the tangible benefits of adaptation is essential for overcoming skepticism and encouraging citizens to actively participate in climate action. Effective communication strategies and a clear demonstration of how adaptation enhances daily life can drive greater involvement. For instance, student engagement in Egaleo demonstrated the power of grassroots involvement, as students spread climate knowledge within their own communities—families and friends—amplifying the impact of local climate action.

• Urban and rural areas need to engage with each other
  Effective climate adaptation requires bridging the urban and rural worlds, as they are deeply interconnected through the food value chain and beyond. In Sardinia, efforts are being made to close the historical gap between agricultural and urban communities, fostering better collaboration and shared solutions. By overcoming cultural and informational divides, trust is being built between these communities, which is essential for meeting the needs of a growing global population.

• Trust-building takes time
  Community engagement is key to overcoming trust issues by increasing transparency in decision-making processes. Stakeholder consultations require time, long-term engagement can be ensured by setting clear goals and being transparent about how community feedback will influence decisions.

• Leverage EU Funds for local adaptation
  EU-funded projects provide valuable resources—such as funding, expertise, and guidance—that can greatly strengthen local communities’ climate adaptation efforts. These resources not only address immediate needs but also help build long-term capacity for sustainable climate action.

The insights shared reaffirmed that addressing climate challenges is not just about technological innovation, but about empowering communities and fostering collaboration. From the critical role of civil society to the importance of multi-sector partnerships, it is clear that success lies in engaging all stakeholders—local communities, private sectors, and public authorities alike. While the challenge is great, our collective action has the power to create resilient, sustainable communities.