Transformative pathways for a more resilient, regional development in Europe and beyond

On Tuesday 11th of October from 16:30 to 18:00 CEST, REGILIENCE will participate in an online session and panel discussion at the European Week of Regions and Cities 2022.

About

Climate change is a global emergency that is causing extreme weather events and natural disasters, simultaneously all over the world. In Europe, recent wildfires, droughts, and floods have severely affected regions across the continent, particularly impacting their vulnerable populations. The European Commission’s Adaptation Mission aims to support at least 150 European regions and communities towards climate resilience by 2030. This means fostering the development of innovative solutions to adapt to the unfolding realities of climate change. Because climate change affects different regions in unique ways, the mission helps communities strategise according to their particular needs and vulnerabilities.

At this interactive event, four EU projects will be discussed: REGILIENCE, ARSINOE, TransformAR, and IMPETUS. By assessing and improving the resilience of regions, these projects will help Europe to prepare for future crises and reduce their associated risks. REGILIENCE will pave the way for regional climate resilience pathways. To that end, it will develop a needs survey covering the 50 most vulnerable regions in the EU. By organising hundreds of activities and reaching out to 100 000 individuals and 8 networks, the project will share experiences and disseminate knowledge, overcoming barriers and obstacles associated with climate resilience.

The session will summarise regional innovation for climate adaptation, featuring case studies and good practices on a variety of topics (related to climate adaptation), from Nature-Based Solutions and biodiversity to flooding prevention, tackling droughts and heat waves, and fighting water scarcity. Regional government representatives will be paired with EU institutions such as the Committee of the Regions and the European Commission. The session will not only target local and regional governments, but also individuals, policy-makers, and businesses.

Agenda

• 5’ – Welcome and introduction to the session
• 10’ – Keynote address from the Committee of the Regions
• 10’ – Short input by all speakers
• 60’ – Panel discussion 
• 5’ – Closing remarks 

The panel will provide an open discussion where participants from policy and practice reflect on what they see as novel activities for accelerating resilience and what the adaptation community should be taking away with them as challenges and ideas that might lead to faster, more pervasive action for regional development towards climate resilience. 

Guiding questions:

1. What does the implementation of the new EU Adaptation Strategy mean for regional authorities and communities? How does this link up with the Mission for Adaptation to Climate Change and Societal Transformation?
2. What is in the pipeline for regions to build resilience in the coming months and years and how does this link up with efforts for a green and resilient recovery from Covid-19 and beyond?
3. How to make resourcing and financing adaptation less complex for regions and overcome the ‘adaptation gap’ and avoid maladaptation?
4. How do we evolve towards resilient communities lived in and protected by engaged and empowered citizens?
5. Which initiatives and programmes will help with this? Which initiatives should regions connect with and collaborate and consult on?

Confirmed Speakers:

• Apostolos Tzitzikostas (First Vice President, European Committee of the Regions)

Registration