July 2025 – As the DECA project reaches its second year, regional partners across Europe are making significant strides in improving climate adaptation governance and policy. With the goal of achieving tangible improvements in policy instruments by 2027, the DECA partnership is sharing insights, co-developing solutions, and tailoring adaptation strategies to local needs.

From Slovenia to Portugal, partners are enhancing existing climate action plans, introducing innovative governance models, and prioritizing stakeholder engagement. Here are some highlights:

  • Maribor, Slovenia: ENERGAP is refining its Local Energy and Climate Action Plan by initiating a detailed climate vulnerability study and increasing stakeholder involvement for tailored adaptation solutions.
  • Warsaw, Poland: The Mazovia Energy Agency is optimizing its EU-funded regional program to better support flood protection, drought mitigation, and urban green infrastructure through improved thematic calls.
  • Tartu County, Estonia: A more robust climate adaptation component is being added to the county’s Climate and Energy Plan, with emphasis on localized risk assessment, resilience measures, and funding models.
  • Kronoberg, Sweden: The Regional Climate Adaptation Plan (2024–2028) emphasizes stakeholder engagement, monitoring, and sharing best practices across four key domains—organization, built environment, water, and landscape.
  • Roermond, Netherlands: The city is deepening connections between green infrastructure, biodiversity, and citizen well-being while improving civic participation and policy integration.
  • Ostend, Belgium: Inspired by Roermond’s schoolyard greening projects, Ostend is launching a pilot project to green schoolyards, supported by a broad coalition of local and regional stakeholders.
  • Lisbon, Portugal: Aiming for climate neutrality by 2030, Lisbon is enhancing its Climate City Contract through inclusive stakeholder engagement and contributions from diverse sectors.
  • Treviso, Italy: The municipality of Silea is updating its Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP) with nature-based solutions, urban forestry, and ecosystem planning in response to recent extreme weather events.

A key takeaway from the DECA initiative is the critical role of inclusive stakeholder engagement and flexible governance structures in the design and implementation of nature-based solutions. Local involvement and cross-sector collaboration are proving essential for creating effective, resilient, and community-driven adaptation strategies.

As DECA moves forward, partners will continue to translate shared knowledge into actionable, localized policies that strengthen Europe’s collective resilience to climate change.

Our next meeting will be in October in Roermond and Ostend. Stakeholders and partners will be visiting the schoolyards mentioned above, and climate adaptive buildings and public areas.

 

Subscribe to our newsletter via the website:

DECA – Delivering Effective Climate Actions | Interreg Europe – Sharing solutions for better policy

Follow us on www.instagram.com/interregdeca