Three years in, the EU Mission on Adaptation accelerates Europe’s resilience efforts

The Mission has brought together over 400 regional and local authorities across Europe. As signatories of the Mission Charter or active partners in innovative projects, these authorities are working together to translate adaptation strategies into real-world solutions—placing climate resilience at the heart of local and regional transformation.

“As climate impacts intensify and alarming temperature records continue to be broken, the urgency of preparing for these challenges has never been more apparent,” said Elina Bardram, Mission Manager. “Yet this year’s activity report showcases remarkable progress—tangible results achieved through collective effort, innovation, and shared commitment.”

The newly released Activity Report of the Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change provides a comprehensive overview of this progress. It highlights inspiring examples of how regions across Europe are embracing adaptation—from restoring floodplains and cooling urban heat islands, to developing early-warning systems and strengthening local governance.

The Mission's progress is powered by strong support mechanisms like the Mission Implementation Platform (MIP4Adapt) which provided tailored technical assistance to 145 regions and authorities, while over 70 have accessed financial support to assess the climate risks their territories face ad develop plans to get more resilient through projects such as Pathways2Resilience and CLIMAAX.

Meanwhile, more than 200 demonstration sites across Europe are piloting cutting-edge solutions—from green infrastructure to risk forecasting—supported by Mission Projects. These projects are not only showcasing resilience in action but also laying the groundwork for broader, scalable change.

With its Community of Practice continuing to drive innovation and peer exchange, the Mission is ensuring that adaptation is not an isolated effort, but a shared European journey.

Looking ahead, the forthcoming European Climate Adaptation Plan, announced by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, represents a critical opportunity to align bold policy with ongoing action. It will further strengthen the Mission’s objectives and ensure adaptation becomes a reality across all EU countries, regions, and cities.

As Philippe Tulkens, Deputy Mission Manager, noted, “Everyone has a role to play. Whether shaping policies, supporting regional initiatives, or making sustainable choices, collective action supported by adequate financing will determine the resilience of our future.”

The Mission on Adaptation continues to demonstrate that through collaboration, local leadership, and sustained investment, Europe can build a more resilient future. This is a collective effort, and the Mission will keep supporting, connecting, and empowering all those ready to lead the way.

To further strengthen collaboration and share learnings, the Mission will convene its Fourth Forum on Adaptation to Climate Change on 20 May 2025 in Wrocław, Poland. The Forum will bring together regional and local actors, experts, and EU institutions to showcase progress, exchange experiences, and spotlight emerging solutions. Follow the event live via webstream.