Main newsSponsored byMost read
Discover

European Climate Change Adaptation Plan

In the Political Guidelines for the European Commission 2024-2029, President Ursula von der Leyen announced a European Climate Change Adaptation Plan (ECAP) to support Member States in their preparedness and resilience planning. Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra took the lead on the ECAP and the policy package will be presented in the second half of 2026.

Climate resilience and preparedness have already received specific attention in several key EU policy documents, including the Competitiveness Compass, the Vision for Agriculture and the Communication on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). (More on climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu)

Horizon Europe Info Days: Discover new funding opportunities for EU missions

Are you working on projects that support EU mission objectives in the areas of climate adaptation, health or the environment? The Horizon Europe Info Days - EU Missions event is your chance to explore new funding opportunities for 2025.

Join us online to learn more about the latest challenges under the Missions 2025 work program, which include:

  • Adaptation to climate change
  • Cancer
  • 100 climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030
  • Restore our oceans and waters by 2030
  • Land Agreement for Europe

The event will provide key information on funding opportunities designed to accelerate progress towards the ambitious objectives of EU missions. (More on climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu)

 

Supporting the development of your region's climate resilience strategy

If you are looking for support to develop your region's climate resilience strategy or need advice on innovative financial mechanisms for adaptation, this is your opportunity to get involved. By completing the Expression of Interest survey as part of the EU-funded Pathways2Resilience project, you will be informed about the 2025 call for applicants and have a say in the design of a tailored support programme. Local or regional public authorities are invited to complete the survey by 18 April 2025, 18:00 CET.

European Steel and Metals Action Plan

The Commission is today taking action to maintain and expand European industrial capacities in the steel and metalworking sectors. Action plan for steel and metals is designed to strengthen the competitiveness of the industry and secure the future of the industry.

The European steel industry is the backbone of the European economy, providing inputs for critical sectors such as the automotive industry, clean technology and defence. A strong steel and metalworking industry in Europe is essential for ensuring the EU's security in the current geopolitical context and for delivering on the " Europe's ReArm 2030 Plan/Preparation ". The sector is also at a critical turning point, threatened by high energy costs, unfair global competition and the need for investment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The plan comes at a time when market-distorting measures, such as non-market support for global overcapacity and unjustified EU steel and aluminium tariffs, could negatively impact our economy. (More on ec.europa.eu)

Calls for proposals up to 2025, including climate change adaptation

The LIFE 2025 calls for proposals are expected to be published on 24 April 2025. In 2021-2027, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation sub-programme will co-finance projects in the areas of urban adaptation and spatial planning, infrastructure resilience, sustainable water management in dryland and coastal areas, the agricultural sector, flood management and coastal areas. and/or support for the EU's outermost regions: preparedness for extreme weather events, in particular in coastal areas. ( More at climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu)

Unlocking the success of the circular economy.

The Agro2Circular project, funded by the European Union, has published book A best practice guide to support the circular economy in the agri-food sector. This publication brings together lessons learned from ten innovative demonstration projects in recycling, food, cosmetics, packaging and digitalisation. The book provides guidance for stakeholders on how to upcycle agricultural and food waste and manage complex materials effectively. It aims to disseminate knowledge, foster innovation and help shape policies towards a more sustainable agri-food sector.

The Essential Guide to Making the Transition: Navigating to a Sustainable Future

At a time when the world faces ongoing environmental, social and economic challenges, there is a growing need for community initiatives that move towards a sustainable future. The document "The Essential Guide to Doing Transition” (The Essential Guide to Making the Transition) offers a comprehensive guide for communities who want to collectively rethink and restore our planet through the creation of a healthy human culture.

This guide is designed for communities looking to effectively and quickly implement the transition process in their communities. Transition is a movement that has been actively working to address major challenges at the local level since 2005. Its mission is to foster a culture of care that connects people to themselves, their environment, and nature. The goal is to rebuild the economy, support entrepreneurship, change the way we think about work, develop skills, and create networks of support. With more than 50 countries and thousands of groups around the world, the Transition movement is growing in popularity and influence.

Why get involved in the transition?

People choose to join the transition movement for a variety of reasons. The most common include a desire to get to know their neighbors, strive for positive change in the world, overcome a sense of community disconnect, catalyze new projects and investment opportunities, learn new skills, and create a better story for their place. Transition offers a platform to engage in processes that shape a more sustainable and socially just future.

Transition principles

The key principles of the transition are:

Respecting resource limits and building resilience.

Promoting inclusiveness and social justice.

Applying subsidiarity, i.e. decision-making at the most appropriate level.

Balance between activity and rest, which ensures the sustainability of the efforts.

Participation in an experimental, learning network for continuous improvement.

Sharing ideas and powers, which supports collective solutions.

Cooperation and finding synergies between different initiatives.

Promoting positive vision and creativity for innovative approaches.

Head, heart and hands

Successfully implementing a transition requires a balance between rational thinking (the head), emotional intelligence (the heart), and practical action (the hands). This triple symbiosis enables communities to effectively plan, motivate, and implement change.

7 essential components of a successful transition

1. Healthy groups: Learn to collaborate effectively, build trust, and resolve conflicts.

2. Vision: Together, imagine the future you want to co-create.

3. Connection: Actively involve the wider community in the transition process.

4. Networks and partnerships: Collaborate with other groups and organizations to achieve greater impact.

5. Practical projects: Implement concrete initiatives that demonstrate the transition in practice.

6. Be part of a movement: Connect with a global network of people sharing similar goals.

7. Reflection and Celebration: Regularly assess progress and celebrate achievements.

Implementation and consolidation

Starting the transition requires the creation of an initiative group with the necessary skills and a clear focus on the geographical area. Establishing contacts with other groups and organizations is key to building networks and partnerships. Consolidating the process involves moving from an initiative group to an established transition commune, creating thematic groups and supporting projects that meet legal requirements and sustainability.

"The Essential Guide to Doing Transition" emphasizes that a successful transition is not just about creating world-changing projects, but also about building a culture that reflects the vision of the future we want to achieve. Through collaboration, creativity, and commitment, communities around the world can create a sustainable and equitable environment for future generations. Spring

Mission Adaptation Public Portfolio – Now Live!

The Mission Adaptation Public Portfolio is now live and provides an interactive dashboard to explore projects, participants, and key characteristics funded by the Mission and relevant to the Mission.

What's inside?

  • Mission projects and participants – review key stakeholders and project details.
  • Project characteristics – filtering by hazards, GROWTH steps and adaptation methods.

This tool provides valuable information and transparency, helping regions and stakeholders identify synergies, track progress and explore adaptation solutions between mission-funded and mission-relevant projects.

Browse the dashboard here

Help shape the EU's future long-term budget for climate change adaptation

The European Commission has launched a consultation to shape the EU's future long-term budget (Multiannual Financial Framework), setting out funding priorities across Europe from 2028. This is a key opportunity to ensure that climate change adaptation remains at the heart of future EU investments.

A modern EU budget should be simpler, more efficient and better focused on addressing pressing challenges, including climate resilience. The Commission's proposals include:

  • National and regional investment plans designed in cooperation with local authorities
  • European Competitiveness Fund to support strategic sectors and technologies
  • Better targeting of external action funding in line with EU priorities
  • Stronger guarantees for the rule of law

The Commission is calling on all stakeholders to contribute, with a public consultation open until 6 May 2025 at noon. A European Citizens' Panel will also bring together 150 Europeans to discuss and propose recommendations.

Make your voice heard and help shape future EU funding for climate change adaptation. Participate in the public consultation here .

Discover more articles

LEGISLATION