€21 million for resilient regions: 100 regions and communities to take part in Pathways2Resilience programme

Communities and regions are already acting on climate change: as per the findings of the Committee of the Regions (2021), 90 per cent of climate change adaptation measures are led at the local and regional level. But how can we make sure that they have the capacity to adapt at this scale? Today, Pathways2Resilience kicks off its support of 100 regions and communities in their climate adaptation journey with a call for Expressions of Interest, marking the beginning of a collaborative movement toward improved resilience.

Funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme and led by EIT Climate-KIC, Pathways2Resilience supports regions as they map out their resilience pathways – all in efforts of achieving the goals of the EU’s Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change. Putting the EU on track to reach its broader goals on adaptation, Pathways2Resilience will allocate €21 million across 100 regions and communities over two cycles of calls. Today marks the launch of an Expression of Interest for this opportunity, marking a preliminary step to a first call (opening in late 2023 or early 2024) through which successful applicant regions and communities will receive up to €300,000 in sub-grants to support their resilience transition.

Focusing on systemic innovation, selected regions and communities will build up their portfolio of adaptation activities, develop resilience pathways, and enhance local capacity, all with the input of local stakeholders. They will also be supported as they examine finance mechanisms, business models and innovation policies, and gain access to training modules and a toolbox with methods, tools, and guidelines.

“Pathways2Resilience’s aim is to embed a new, transformative approach in how regions plan climate adaptation” says Fernando Diaz Lopez, project coordinator. “Innovation, however, is not always about reinventing the wheel: often the biggest impact passes by catalysing progress and catering to needs already there – using a systems innovation lens. That’s the ‘Mission’ approach at the core of the project and we call on all regions – those more vulnerable, that stand to learn more, and those more advanced, that can share their best practices and accelerate change – to get involved and create this together.”

How can regions express their interest?

Though not mandatory to participate in the calls, respondents to the Expression of Interest questionnaire will help Pathways2Resilience partners to gauge their adaptation challenges, barriers, and support needs. In turn, this will ensure that the support offered by Pathways2Resilience partners is well-matched to what regions and communities really need to meaningfully boost their resilience. Further, those who fill out the questionnaire are also eligible for support from Pathways2Resilience partners in strengthening their applications with matchmaking activities and facilitated discussions.

The Expression of Interest is open until 15 September 2023 at 18:00 CEST and is open to local or regional public authorities from EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries.

Interested regions and communities can find out more during the upcoming information session on the Expression of Interest (“Webinar: Info session on the Pathways2Resilience programme and how to express your interest”, taking place on 9 June between 10:00 and 11:00 CEST).

For more information on the Pathways2Resilience programme, please contact media@climate-kic.org. 

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