Since 2023, REGILIENCE has been supporting the Region of Central Macedonia in strengthening its capacity to adapt to climate change. Building on experiences from European research and innovation projects, this final in-person capacity building will focus on two urgent challenges for the region: river floods and water scarcity. The event will bring together regional and local authorities, practitioners, and external experts to share knowledge, showcase tested solutions, and explore how these can be applied in practice. The aim is to help turn the region’s Climate Adaptation Plan into concrete actions that protect communities, ecosystems, and the local economy.
Coordinator's website
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- Civil protection and risk prevention | Climate and environment | Governance and Public administration | Local and regional | Territorial | Urban
- Code: Side252305
- 25 Martiou Street, Thessaloniki, Greece
Practical information
- When
-
Wed 22/10/2025, 09:00 - 18:00 CET
- Where
- 25 Martiou Street, Thessaloniki, Greece
- Type of partnership
- EURegionsWeek close to you
- Format
- Side
- Theme
-
Cities building tomorrow
- Language
- English
Partners
FEDARENE
Fresh Thoughts Consulting GmbH
Institute for European Energy and Climate Policy
Reporting
Session summary
- The event highlighted how the Region of Central Macedonia is progressing from climate adaptation planning to concrete implementation, supported by two years of capacity-building activities under the REGILIENCE project.
- The European Commission (Irene Bonvissuto, DG CLIMA) underlined the strong alignment between regional priorities and the Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change, noting that a new European framework for adaptation—based on tools and indicators developed within the Mission—will soon guide action across all regions.
- Regional climate analysis showed increasing risks of river flooding, reinforcing the need to strengthen water management systems, prevent soil erosion, and improve forecasting capacities. Digital twin technologies presented by REGILIENCE's sister projects demonstrated how advanced modelling can support planning and decision-making.
- Effective climate adaptation depends on meaningful involvement of citizens, integrating resilience into the design and renewal of infrastructure, and establishing clear systems to monitor progress. Partners shared practical methods and examples to help regional and local authorities put these elements into practice.
- Water scarcity remains a critical challenge for Central Macedonia. Examples from European innovation projects such as IMPETUS, CARDIMED, and HYDROUSA showed how solutions such as treated wastewater reuse and nature-based approaches for agriculture and energy can be applied in the region. Additional guidance materials provide practical support for preparing and implementing water resilience measures.
- The event concluded with a strong call to continue cooperation among institutions, experts, and communities, recognising that long-term climate resilience requires coordinated action and transparent communication.
