The sources provide a comprehensive view of the issue of climate change adaptation within the EU and point to several shortcomings in the efficiency of the use of funds for this purpose.

The EU has a robust climate change adaptation policy framework, but its implementation shows weaknesses:

• Although the majority of the projects analyzed (19 out of 36) effectively addressed climate risks, 13 projects had little or no impact on increasing adaptive capacity and two projects may have led to maladaptation.
• Member States have sometimes used outdated scientific data when developing their national adaptation strategies and plans.
• In agriculture, irrigation was favored as an adaptation solution, potentially leading to maladaptation.
• While good practices have been noted in forestry, such as the construction of retention reservoirs and forest diversification, the planting of monocultures has still been encouraged, which is not in line with adaptation strategies.
• In mountainous areas, snow cannons are proving to be a short-term solution that increases pressure on water resources and does not provide sustainable adaptation to climate change.

Shortcomings in monitoring and reporting:

• Adaptation reporting is largely descriptive and does not provide quantifiable data, making it difficult to assess progress and support future policy decisions.
• There is a lack of common indicators to measure progress towards achieving climate resilience by 2050.
• Tracking climate change adaptation financing is complex, making it difficult to assess its impact.

Limited awareness and use of EU instruments at local level:

• The majority of respondents to a survey of 400 municipalities in the four audited Member States were unaware of climate change adaptation strategies and plans.
• Only 16 of the % surveyed municipalities had a local adaptation plan in place, which limits their ability to respond to climate change.
• While EU instruments provide useful data, knowledge and technical support for adaptation, most local communities were unaware of them and did not use them.

To improve the efficiency of the use of EU funds for climate change adaptation, the sources recommend:

• Improve adaptation reporting: Establish common indicators and criteria to measure progress and address gaps identified in Member States' reporting.
• Improve the use of EU instruments: Design practical and simple tools aimed at local communities and make them available in all official EU languages on the CLIMATE-ADAPT platform.
• Ensure that all relevant EU-funded projects are adapted to current and future climate conditions: Provide guidance on measures relevant to adaptation and examples of projects leading to maladaptation.

In conclusion, it can be stated that Although the EU has a solid framework for climate change adaptation policy, there are significant gaps in the effectiveness of the use of funds for this purpose.Weaknesses in monitoring, reporting and use of EU instruments at local level, as well as the prioritisation of short-term solutions over long-term adaptation strategies, threaten the achievement of the EU's 2050 climate resilience target. Spring