Launched in 2023, the programme now engages a total of 100 local and regional authorities – representing over 100 million people – in a range of trainings designed to enhance their approaches to adaptation and resilience to climate change
Sixty-two climate-vulnerable regions across Europe ( full list here and below) have been selected to strengthen their climate adaptation plans through Pathways2Resilience, a flagship project of the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change. Five of the newly selected entities are ICLEI Europe Members, including the municipalities of Aalborg (Denmark), Belfast (United Kingdom), Braga (Portugal), Pescara (Italy), and Tirana (Albania).
Launched in 2023, the programme now engages a total of 100 local and regional authorities – representing over 100 million people – in a range of trainings designed to enhance their approaches to adaptation and resilience to climate change . ICLEI Europe has been a key partner in this multi-year programme from the outset.
The newly selected regions – home to around 55 million people – join the 38 regions that have started the programme in October 2024, gaining valuable peer support and experience. Each region will receive 210.000€ in grant funding alongside access to tailored tools and guidance, interactive peer learning, mentoring, and expert guidance.
This second round represents the final allocation of the EU-funded project’s €21 million cascade funding. The cohort will have 18 months to develop a robust climate resilience strategy, as well as an action and investment plan.
“I warmly congratulate all regions selected in the second Pathways2Resilience cohort,” said Elina Bardram, Mission Adaptation Manager at the European Commission. “As a flagship initiative, Pathways2Resilience helps the EU Mission on Adaptation deliver on its objectives and advance regional climate resilience together, through tailored support and peer learning.”
Among the most pressing climate hazards identified by this cohort were coastal and river flooding (43%), heat stress (36%), and drought (21%). With Europe warming twice as fast as the global average, Pathways2Resilience’s mission to accelerate regional adaptation has never been more crucial.
Pathways2Resilience Summit: Europe’s adaptation community convenes in Budapest
On 11 February 2026, all 100 regions will gather in Budapest for the Pathways2Resilience Summit. The Hungarian Capital, an ICLEI Europe member, is already confronting floods and heatwaves, while also being recognised for its innovative climate resilience efforts.
The city has moved from fragmented planning to a cohesive resilience strategy, implementing green development initiatives, a rainwater management plan, and measures to combat urban heat and flooding, including the award-winning Pünkösdfürdő Park along the Danube.
“With 100 regions now on board, Pathways2Resilience is creating a powerful network of local communities committed to climate adaptation” said Thomas Koetz, Senior Advisor for Climate Resilient Regions at Climate KIC and Pathways2Resilience programme coordinator. “This second cohort brings fresh energy and diverse perspectives, helping us accelerate Europe’s resilience journey at a time when climate impacts are intensifying. As programme coordinator, Climate KIC is proud of how far we’ve come in turning ambition into actionable plans that safeguard people, economies, and ecosystems.”
Additional statements from selected regions
“Being selected for Pathways2Resilience is a strong recognition of Worms’ long-term work on climate adaptation. Located in one of Germany’s warmest regions, we will use this support to further strengthen our climate resilience by integrating climate adaptation, heat and water strategies, and by learning with and from other European cities facing similar challenges,” stated Stephanie Rohr, Mayor of the City of Worms, one of the newly selected regions in Germany.
“We are very pleased that East Iceland [Austurland] has been selected to participate in the Pathways2Resilience programme. The region faces increasing climate-related challenges, particularly in rural and coastal communities, and this collaboration will support us in strengthening knowledge, developing practical solutions and building long-term adaptive capacity,” commented Berglind Harpa Svavarsdóttir, Chair of the Association of Municipalities in East Iceland (SSA), following Austurland’s selection as a Pathways2Resilience region.
“As a coastal and urban region facing increasing climate pressures, we look forward to strategic guidance, shared expertise, and tools that will support long-term, integrated climate adaptation planning,” said Iryna Vieklich, Grant Officer from Odesa Oblast, one of the Ukrainian selected regions.
“The Košice Self-Governing Region has long positioned itself as a green region, building climate resilience in close cooperation with municipalities and local stakeholders, primarily through nature-based adaptation measures. I am delighted that Košice Region has been selected for the Pathways2Resilience programme, as the growing risks of drought and extreme precipitation, along with our above-average vulnerability, highlight the need for systematic adaptation measures. This project will enable us to modernise the region’s adaptation strategy, leverage expert know-how, and engage in meaningful knowledge exchange with partner regions,” said Rastislav Trnka, President of the Košice Self-Governing Region, a Slovakian region selected for the new cohort.
Pathways2Resilience participating regions
Albania
Tirana Region
Armenia
Akunk Community Municipality
Austria
Elsbeere-Wienerwald
Styria
Belgium
Municipality of Ixelles
Municipality of Etterbeek
Wallonia (lead entity: Catholic University of Louvain – UCL)
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Blidinje Nature Park
Sarajevo
Bulgaria
Municipality of Dobrich
Municipality of Silistra
Croatia
Križevci Prigorje
Cyprus
Limassol
Czechia
Podřipsko region
Denmark
Municipality of Aalborg
Municipality of Egedal
Estonia
West Estonian Archipelago (lead entity: Estonian Islands Energy Agency)
Finlan
South Ostrobothnia
France
Département du Nord
Nouvelle-Aquitaine
French Outermost Regions
La Réunion
Georgia
Kakheti (lead entity: Georgian National Environmental Agency)
Tusheti (lead entity: Akhmeta Municipality)
Germany
City of Luckau
City of Worms
County of Lippe
Greece
North Aegean
Region of Attica
Iceland
East of Iceland / Austurland (lead entity: Austurbrú)
Italy
Emilia-Romagn
Municipality of Pescara
Tepilora Natural Regional Park (Sardinia Region)
Kosovo
Municipality of Podujevë (lead entity: University of Prishtina)
Lithuania
Alytus Region (lead entity: Alytus Regional Development Council)
Moldova
Municipality of Cimișlia
Municipality of Nisporeni
Netherlands
Twente (lead entity: City of Enschede
North Macedonia
Northeastern Statistical Region (lead entity: Municipality of Kumanovo)
Norway
Akershus County
Kristiansand Region
Portugal
Municipality of Braga
Aveiro Region
Romania
North-West Region (lead entity: North-West Regional Development Agency)
Teleorman County (lead entity: Babes-Bolyai University)
Serbia
Southern Serbia region (lead entity: Regional Development Agency South)
Slovakia
Košice region
Žilina region
Slovenia
Goriška region (lead entity: Goriška Local Energy Agency)
Municipality of Trbovlje
Spain
Catalonia (lead entity: Ministry for Home Affairs and Public Safety of Catalonia)
Province of Cádiz (lead entity: Fundacion Medio Ambiente, Energia y Sostenibilidad Provincia de Cadiz)
Türkiye
Çukurova Region (lead entity: Adana Chamber of Industry)
Municipality of Üsküdar
Van Subregion (TRB2) (lead entity: Eastern Anatolia Development Agency)
Ukraine
Chernihiv Oblast (lead entity: Chernihiv Polytechnic National University)
Lviv Oblast (lead entity: Regional Development Agency of Lviv Region)
Odesa Oblast (lead entity: Odesa 5T)
Volyn Oblast (lead entity: Regional Development Agency of the Volyn region)
United Kingdom
City of Belfast
Kent
City of Plymouth
About Pathways2Resilience: Pathways2Resilience is a flagship project of the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change. EU Missions are novel instruments meant to fast-track implementation of the EU Green Deal in five areas, including climate adaptation. For more information, visit www.pathways2resilience.eu
About ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability: ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability is a global network of more than 2,500 local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development. Active in 125 countries, we influence sustainability policy and drive local action for low emission, nature-based, equitable, resilient and circular development. ICLEI Europe provides members in Europe, the Middle East and West Asia with a voice on European and international stages, a platform to connect with peers, and tools to drive positive environmental, economic and social change. ICLEI Europe works closely with an extended network of local and regional governments and partners on a broad range of topics.
