Imagine two agricultural regions facing the same drought period. Both experience higher temperatures and less rainfall. Yet, while one suffers severe crop losses and takes years to recover, the other manages to maintain its production and quickly adapt its practices. Both regions experienced the same climate hazard. But were they equally vulnerable? And, more importantly, were they equally resilient?

Answering these questions is becoming increasingly important. As climate risks grow across Europe, understanding and measuring resilience can help us to identify where action is most needed and whether adaptation measures are actually making a difference.

Resilience is more than surviving a climate event

Resilience goes beyond simply avoiding damage from climate events. It refers to the capacity of social, economic and ecological systems to deal with hazardous events or changing conditions while maintaining their essential functions. It also involves the capacity to adapt, learn and, when necessary, transform the systems themselves in response to changing conditions, as described in the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report.

For example, a forest may resist drought without significant damage, a farm may adapt by changing crops or water-management practices, and a coastal community may recover economically after changes in marine conditions.

Resilience therefore depends not only on the intensity of a climate hazard, but also on the characteristics of the system experiencing it. This is where another important concept comes into play: adaptive capacity, which is defined as the ability of systems, institutions, people and other organisms to adjust to potential damage, take advantage of opportunities or respond to consequences, according to the IPCC’s definitions and terminology.

In simple terms, two places exposed to the same climate risk may experience very different impacts because of differences in capacities to respond.

What makes one place more resilient than another?

Climate resilience is influenced by a combination of environmental, social and economic factors. Consider a drought event. The amount of rainfall is obviously important, but it is only a piece in the puzzle. The consequences of drought can also depend on soil properties, water availability, vegetation, agricultural practices, infrastructure and access to resources.

The same principle applies to forests, in which a period of high temperatures and low rainfall can affect trees differently depending on species composition, soil conditions, water availability and forest structure. Also in coastal areas, changes in temperature or marine ecosystems can affect fisheries differently depending on the species present, fishing practices, economic diversification and the ability of communities to adapt.

This means that measuring climate resilience requires looking beyond climate data alone. Researchers and decision-makers increasingly combine information about climate hazards (heatwaves, droughts, floods and changing temperatures), exposure (people, ecosystems, infrastructure or economic activities located in areas affected by those hazards), vulnerability (how susceptible a system is to be negatively affected) and adaptive capacity (ability to adjust and respond to changing conditions). Together, these elements provide a much more complete picture of climate risk and resilience, as reflected in the resources available through the European Climate-ADAPT platform.

Can resilience really be reduced to a simple number?

There is no single universal “climate resilience score” that can be applied equally to every region, ecosystem or economic sector. Instead, scientists use indicators to capture different dimensions of resilience, which depends on the system being studied and the climate risks.

Agriculture faces changes in crop productivity, soil moisture or water availability, while forests are guided by vegetation, tree growth or ecosystem characteristics. They all provide information about how ecosystems respond to environmental stress. Socioeconomic indicators can also be important, such as economic diversification, access to resources or the capacity of communities to implement adaptation measures. These different approaches are reflected in Climate-ADAPT’s resources on measuring progress towards climate resilience.

This is also why climate resilience can be difficult to compare between territories, where an indicator that is highly relevant for an agricultural region may be much less useful for a coastal fishing community. Rather than searching for one perfect measurement, the goal is to combine different pieces of evidence to understand how a system responds to climate pressures.

Measuring resilience means looking at change over time

Resilience is not static. A region that is well prepared today may become more vulnerable in the future as climate conditions change. In contrast, successful adaptation measures can strengthen its capacity to cope with future impacts. This makes monitoring essential.

Imagine that a region introduces a new measure to reduce the impacts of drought. Simply implementing it does not tell us whether it has worked. By comparing conditions before and after implementation — such as crop losses, soil water retention, production levels and recovery times — we can assess whether the measure actually reduces vulnerability, while also identifying unexpected environmental or economic effects.

This is increasingly important in Europe, where the European Environment Agency has highlighted gaps in monitoring, evaluation and learning, as well as the need for shared methodologies and metrics to track progress on climate resilience in its publication From Adaptation Planning to Action.

Baseline → Climate pressure → Response → Recovery → Adaptation

From data to decisions

Measuring climate resilience is therefore not simply an academic exercise. Better information can help to answer practical questions: Which risks should be prioritised? Which communities are most vulnerable? Where should resources be directed? Which adaptation measures are working? And which approaches could potentially be applied elsewhere?

To answer these questions, knowledge from different disciplines needs to come together. Climate and environmental datasets can reveal changing conditions. Geospatial analysis can show where risks and vulnerabilities overlap. Socioeconomic information can help explain why different communities experience the same hazard differently. Local knowledge can add another layer of understanding by capturing changes and challenges that may not be immediately visible in datasets. The combination of these perspectives can turn climate information into something more useful: evidence that supports decisions.

This approach is closely connected to the work of FARCLIMATE, which investigates climate risks and adaptation solutions through Case Studies across European territories. By combining scientific knowledge with local stakeholder engagement, the project contributes to a better understanding of the challenges facing agriculture, forestry and fisheries. At European level, the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change and its implementation platform, MIP4Adapt, support regions in strengthening their adaptation processes, including monitoring, evaluation and learning.

From measuring resilience to building it

Understanding and measuring climate resilience is ultimately about supporting effective action.

The purpose is not to produce more indicators for their own sake, but to improve our ability to anticipate risks, choose appropriate adaptation measures and learn from their results. There will not be a single solution that makes every European region resilient to climate change. Different territories face different hazards, have different vulnerabilities and possess different capacities to adapt.

What can be shared, however, is knowledge: how risks were identified, which factors increased vulnerability, which measures were tested, what worked, what did not, and under which conditions.

This is where measuring resilience becomes part of a continuous process:

Understand → Measure → Act → Monitor → Learn → Adapt

As climate risks continue to evolve, this cycle will become increasingly important for European communities, ecosystems and economic sectors. Climate resilience may be complex, but that does not mean it has to remain an abstract concept. By combining data, scientific knowledge and local experience, we can better understand where vulnerabilities lie, track how systems respond to change and build evidence for more effective adaptation.

Discover the FARCLIMATE Case Studies and explore how different European territories are investigating climate risks, assessing vulnerabilities and developing adaptation solutions for more resilient agriculture, forestry and fisheries.

Author: Miguel Ángel Álvarez Sánchez

This is why local climate adaptation is becoming increasingly important across Europe. Building resilience means understanding not only climate hazards, but also the environmental, economic and social characteristics that determine how each region experiences them.

Europe has already made considerable progress in developing adaptation policies. However, recent European assessments continue to highlight the need to accelerate their implementation. The challenge is therefore shifting from understanding climate risks and preparing strategies towards putting solutions into practice.

Through initiatives such as the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change, its implementation platform MIP4Adapt, and Mission-funded projects such as FARCLIMATE, regions and communities are gaining new opportunities to turn climate knowledge into action.

Why Local Climate Adaptation Matters More Than Ever

Climate risks do not affect every European territory in the same way. Coastal communities, agricultural regions, forests, cities and remote rural areas have different vulnerabilities, resources and capacities to respond.

Consequently, adaptation cannot rely exclusively on one-size-fits-all solutions.

Effective local climate adaptation begins by understanding how climate hazards interact with the characteristics of a particular territory. This includes its ecosystems and economic activities, but also infrastructure, governance structures, available resources and the people whose livelihoods depend on them.

Recent work from the European Environment Agency (EEA) reinforces the importance of this territorial dimension. Its analysis of adaptation examples across Europe highlights implemented measures at different governance levels and shows how practical experiences can support peer-to-peer learning. At the same time, the EEA stresses that the pace and scale of adaptation still need to increase as Europe remains insufficiently prepared for growing climate risks.

Local action therefore does not mean addressing climate change in isolation. Instead, it allows wider European objectives to respond to the realities of individual communities.

Local Climate Adaptation Must Move from Planning to Action

Developing an adaptation strategy is an essential first step. Yet resilience ultimately depends on what happens after the strategy has been written.

This transition from planning to implementation is one of Europe’s major adaptation challenges.

Local and regional authorities must identify suitable measures, mobilise funding, engage stakeholders, coordinate different governance levels and evaluate whether implemented solutions actually reduce vulnerability. Smaller municipalities may face particular difficulties because financial resources, specialised expertise, data and administrative capacity can be limited.

A recent EEA assessment highlights this challenge. More than 40% of Europe’s population lives in municipalities with fewer than 20,000 inhabitants, yet only 16% of smaller municipalities covered by the analysis had adaptation action plans, compared with 28% of larger municipalities.

These differences demonstrate why building climate resilience involves more than producing scientific knowledge. Communities also need access to capacity, networks, practical tools and opportunities to learn from solutions already being implemented elsewhere.

This is where European cooperation becomes particularly important.

The EU Mission Is Accelerating Local Climate Adaptation

The EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change provides a framework for helping European regions, cities and local authorities strengthen their resilience and move towards implementation.

This effort is increasingly extensive. According to the Mission’s 2025/2026 Activity Report, more than 400 regional and local authorities are now involved in Mission activities and initiatives. The ecosystem also includes 65 Horizon Europe projects and a Mission Adaptation Community with more than 700 participants exchanging knowledge and experiences.

These numbers illustrate an important evolution in European adaptation policy. The emphasis is increasingly moving from establishing frameworks towards deploying concrete solutions on the ground.

The Mission connects regions, researchers, policymakers, citizens and EU institutions around this objective. Rather than treating individual adaptation initiatives as isolated experiences, this approach creates opportunities for lessons generated in one territory to inform decisions elsewhere.

The latest Mission Barometer confirms this direction, highlighting continued progress in supporting regional and local authorities, strengthening adaptation capacity and advancing action on the ground.

For local climate adaptation, this European network is particularly valuable. Local solutions remain rooted in their specific territories, while the knowledge generated through them becomes part of a much broader learning process.

MIP4Adapt: Connecting Knowledge, Regions and Climate Action

Supporting hundreds of territories requires more than a common ambition. Regions and local authorities also need practical mechanisms that help them navigate adaptation.

This is where the Mission Implementation Platform for Adaptation to Climate Change (MIP4Adapt) plays a central role.

MIP4Adapt acts as a hub supporting European regional and local authorities as they develop their pathways towards climate resilience. It brings together the Mission Adaptation Community, showcases knowledge generated by EU-funded Mission Projects and provides guidance, tools, data and information through the Mission Portal. It also offers tailored support in areas such as funding, financing and stakeholder engagement.

Its first phase already demonstrated the potential of this approach. By the end of 2025, more than 160 regions and local authorities had received tailored support, while more than 125 adaptation plans had been advanced or completed with MIP4Adapt support.

Importantly, MIP4Adapt also creates opportunities to share experiences. This helps transform individual adaptation initiatives into knowledge that other European territories can discover, assess and potentially adapt to their own circumstances.

Local Climate Adaptation Starts with People

Climate adaptation is ultimately implemented by people.

Farmers understand changes affecting their crops and soils. Fishers observe transformations in marine environments. Forest managers experience changing fire, drought and ecosystem conditions. Local authorities understand infrastructure and governance constraints, while communities can identify vulnerabilities that may not immediately appear in scientific datasets.

This knowledge should complement scientific evidence.

Stakeholder and citizen engagement can therefore improve the relevance, effectiveness and credibility of adaptation plans. MIP4Adapt’s 2026 guidance specifically identifies communication, engagement, connection and enabling action as important components of participatory climate adaptation.

This principle is also central to approaches such as Living Labs, where different actors can collaborate in real-life environments to explore challenges, co-create ideas and assess potential solutions.

Participation does not mean replacing scientific expertise with local opinion. Instead, it creates a space where different forms of knowledge can interact.

For local climate adaptation, that distinction matters. A technically effective solution may still be difficult to implement if it overlooks local priorities, economic realities or the people expected to adopt it.

FARCLIMATE: Testing Adaptation in Real-World Contexts

FARCLIMATE contributes to this wider European adaptation ecosystem by working with territories and stakeholders across agriculture, forestry and fisheries.

Through its Case Studies and Living Lab approach, the project explores how climate adaptation can respond to different environmental and socio-economic realities. Rather than considering territories simply as locations where predetermined solutions are deployed, the project promotes collaboration between researchers, practitioners, communities and other relevant actors.

This approach allows climate challenges to be considered in context.

An agricultural community may need to strengthen resilience against drought or changing production conditions. Forest territories may need to consider wildfire risk, ecosystem management and rural livelihoods. Coastal communities may face changing marine ecosystems and pressures affecting small-scale fisheries.

The solutions will not necessarily be identical. However, the processes used to understand challenges, involve stakeholders, test approaches and evaluate results can generate knowledge with relevance beyond an individual Case Study.

In this way, FARCLIMATE contributes not only to developing adaptation solutions but also to understanding how those solutions can work in practice.

From Local Solutions to a More Climate-Resilient Europe

A successful local initiative becomes even more valuable when others can learn from it.

However, replication does not mean copying a solution exactly. Climate conditions, governance structures, available resources and community needs vary considerably between European regions.

Instead, transferability requires understanding why a solution worked, under which conditions and which elements can be adapted elsewhere.

This is one reason why networks such as the EU Mission on Adaptation and platforms such as MIP4Adapt are so important. They create connections between local implementation and European knowledge exchange.

The growing Mission ecosystem provides opportunities for regions to discover practical examples, exchange experiences and build on lessons already learned. MIP4Adapt alone has helped establish an expanding knowledge base of real-world adaptation experiences, alongside guidance and tools designed to support authorities throughout the adaptation process.

FARCLIMATE contributes to this collective learning process by generating experiences across diverse Case Studies and sectors. As these activities progress, understanding what can be replicated, transferred or adapted to other territories will become increasingly important.

Building Resilience from the Ground Up

Europe’s climate adaptation challenge cannot be solved exclusively from Brussels, national capitals or research institutions. Neither can individual communities address it alone.

Effective local climate adaptation depends on connecting these levels.

European strategies can establish ambition and provide resources. The EU Mission on Adaptation can connect regions around common objectives. MIP4Adapt can provide knowledge, tools and opportunities for collaboration. Mission Projects such as FARCLIMATE can then work with communities and stakeholders to explore how adaptation functions under real conditions.

The result is not a single solution to climate change, but a growing European ecosystem of knowledge and experience.

By connecting local realities with European collaboration, FARCLIMATE is helping strengthen this process and supporting the transition from understanding climate risks to taking meaningful action.

Explore FARCLIMATE and discover how our Case Studies, Living Labs and training activitie  s are contributing to more climate-resilient communities across Europe.

In this context, climate-resilient agriculture has emerged as a key approach for ensuring that farming communities can continue to produce food, support rural economies and protect natural ecosystems. Rather than focusing solely on the risks posed by climate change, climate-resilient agriculture seeks to help farmers adapt, innovate and identify new opportunities that contribute to long-term sustainability.

As climate adaptation becomes an increasingly important priority across Europe, initiatives such as FARCLIMATE are helping communities, researchers and stakeholders work together to develop practical solutions that strengthen resilience and support the transition towards more sustainable agricultural systems.

Why climate-resilient agriculture matters more than ever

Agriculture is one of the sectors most directly exposed to climate change. Unlike many industries, farming depends heavily on environmental conditions that are becoming increasingly unpredictable.

Many regions are already experiencing reduced water availability, changing growing seasons and increased pressure from pests and diseases. In addition, extreme weather events such as floods, heatwaves and storms can significantly reduce yields and damage agricultural infrastructure.

These challenges affect not only farmers but entire communities. Agricultural production supports food security, employment and regional development. When farming systems become vulnerable, the effects can spread throughout local economies and value chains.

This is why climate-resilient agriculture is becoming an essential component of climate adaptation strategies. By improving the capacity of farms to anticipate, withstand and recover from climate-related impacts, resilience helps secure both livelihoods and food production.

Moreover, climate resilience is not simply about responding to problems after they occur. It is about planning ahead, understanding vulnerabilities and creating systems that can continue to function under changing environmental conditions.

Climate-resilient agriculture starts with understanding risks

The first step towards building resilience is understanding the risks that agricultural communities face.

Climate risks vary significantly from one region to another. Some areas may experience more intense droughts, while others face increasing flood risks or changing seasonal patterns. Farmers must therefore understand how climate change is affecting their specific local context before they can develop effective adaptation measures.

Risk assessments help identify vulnerabilities within agricultural systems. These assessments consider factors such as water availability, soil health, crop sensitivity, infrastructure exposure and socio-economic conditions.

However, understanding risks is not only a technical exercise. Local knowledge plays a crucial role in identifying changes that may not yet appear in official datasets. Farmers often observe shifts in weather patterns, pest behaviour and crop performance long before these trends are reflected in broader analyses.

For this reason, successful climate-resilient agriculture combines scientific evidence with practical experience. Bringing together researchers, farmers and local stakeholders creates a more complete understanding of challenges and helps ensure that adaptation strategies respond to real needs.

Furthermore, increasing awareness of climate risks empowers communities to make informed decisions and proactively prepare for future scenarios.

How climate-resilient agriculture creates new opportunities

While climate change presents significant challenges, it can also drive innovation and create opportunities for agricultural communities.

One of the most important aspects of climate-resilient agriculture is its focus on identifying pathways that allow farms to adapt while maintaining economic viability. This may involve diversifying production, introducing new crop varieties, adopting water-efficient technologies or exploring alternative business models.

In some regions, changing climatic conditions may make new agricultural activities possible. In others, innovation can help improve productivity while reducing environmental impacts.

Digital technologies are also opening new opportunities for climate adaptation. Precision agriculture tools, climate monitoring systems and data-driven decision-making can help farmers optimise resource use and respond more effectively to changing conditions.

At the same time, consumers and markets are increasingly demanding sustainable products. This trend creates incentives for producers who adopt resilient and environmentally responsible practices.

As a result, climate-resilient agriculture should not be viewed solely as a defensive strategy. It is also a pathway towards innovation, competitiveness and long-term sustainability.

Building climate-resilient agriculture across the value chain

Climate resilience cannot be achieved at the farm level alone. Agricultural systems are interconnected through complex value chains that include producers, processors, distributors, retailers and consumers.

A disruption in one part of the chain can affect the entire system. For example, extreme weather may impact crop production, leading to supply shortages that affect processors and markets. Similarly, infrastructure damage can disrupt transportation and distribution networks.

This is why climate-resilient agriculture requires integrated planning across the value chain.

Stakeholders must work together to identify vulnerabilities, improve coordination and develop adaptation strategies that consider the needs of the entire system. Such collaboration helps strengthen resilience while reducing risks for all actors involved.

In addition, value chain integration can support knowledge sharing and innovation. When different stakeholders collaborate, successful practices can be replicated more effectively and adaptation measures can be scaled across regions.

This integrated perspective is particularly important for achieving long-term climate resilience and ensuring that adaptation efforts generate benefits beyond individual farms.

The role of living labs in climate-resilient agriculture

Developing effective adaptation strategies requires collaboration, experimentation and continuous learning. This is where Living Labs play an important role.

Living Labs are real-world environments where farmers, researchers, policymakers and other stakeholders work together to co-create solutions. Rather than testing ideas in isolated conditions, Living Labs allow innovations to be developed and evaluated within the communities that will ultimately use them.

Within FARCLIMATE, Living Labs provide opportunities to explore practical approaches to climate adaptation in agriculture. They help stakeholders identify challenges, test solutions and exchange knowledge in ways that support meaningful and lasting change.

The collaborative nature of Living Labs also strengthens trust among participants. Farmers gain access to scientific expertise, while researchers gain a deeper understanding of local realities. This mutual learning process improves the quality of adaptation strategies and increases their likelihood of success.

Furthermore, Living Labs help ensure that solutions are not only technically effective but also socially and economically viable. This is essential for creating climate-resilient agriculture systems that can be adopted and maintained over time.

By connecting local knowledge with scientific research, Living Labs act as catalysts for innovation and resilience across agricultural communities.

Looking ahead: the future of climate-resilient agriculture

The future of agriculture will depend on the ability of farming systems to adapt to changing climatic conditions while continuing to provide food, employment and environmental benefits.

Climate-resilient agriculture offers a framework for achieving this goal. By understanding risks, embracing innovation, strengthening value chains and promoting collaboration, agricultural communities can improve their capacity to respond to uncertainty and build more sustainable futures.

Projects such as FARCLIMATE demonstrate that resilience is not achieved through isolated actions. It emerges through cooperation, knowledge exchange and the active participation of those most affected by climate change.

As Europe continues to advance its climate adaptation agenda, climate-resilient agriculture will play a central role in supporting rural communities and ensuring that farming remains both productive and sustainable.

Building stronger farms for the future requires more than technological solutions. It requires people, knowledge and collaboration working together to transform challenges into opportunities. Through climate-resilient agriculture, communities can take meaningful steps towards a future that is better prepared for the realities of a changing climate.

More than a General Assembly, the FARCLIMATE Forum represented a strategic moment to align progress, share insights and define the next steps of the project. As climate challenges continue to evolve, initiatives like this play a crucial role in connecting local action with European-level impact.

Why the FARCLIMATE Forum matters for climate adaptation

Climate adaptation requires more than isolated solutions. It demands collaboration across sectors, territories and disciplines, especially in areas such as agriculture, forestry and fisheries.

The FARCLIMATE project addresses this challenge through a Living Lab approach, empowering communities to co-create solutions tailored to their local contexts. These Living Labs act as real-world environments where stakeholders collaborate, test ideas and generate knowledge that can be replicated across regions.

In this context, the FARCLIMATE Forum becomes essential. It provides a structured space where knowledge is shared, experiences are compared and strategies are aligned. By connecting diverse perspectives, the Forum strengthens collaboration and accelerates the development of climate adaptation solutions across Europe.

A dynamic programme focused on collaboration and co-creation

Over two days in Turin, the FARCLIMATE Forum combined structured sessions with interactive formats designed to foster engagement and participation.

The event opened with high-level contributions from key stakeholders, including representatives from the external advisory board and partners like, Green Growth Generation, the European Network of Open Living Labs or the University of Vigo as well as external contributors like the City of Turin. These opening sessions highlighted the importance of community-driven climate resilience and the role of urban strategies in addressing climate challenges.

One of the central activities was the Poster Conference, where participants explored case studies from across Europe. These case studies showcased local challenges and adaptation pathways in agriculture and forestry, allowing attendees to engage directly with real-world experiences and exchange knowledge in an informal setting.

Another key moment was the World Café session, a participatory methodology designed to facilitate structured dialogue and collective thinking. Participants rotated between thematic tables addressing topics such as stakeholder engagement, adaptation pilot design and policy influence. This format enabled the integration of expert insights into the project’s case studies while fostering meaningful cross-sector discussions.

In addition, the Forum included capacity-building sessions focused on stakeholder engagement and communication. These sessions reinforced the importance of involving communities effectively and ensuring that knowledge is translated into actionable solutions.

The programme also incorporated networking opportunities and informal activities, creating an environment that encouraged collaboration beyond formal sessions and strengthened relationships within the consortium.

Aligning progress across Work Packages

A key component of the FARCLIMATE Forum was the internal alignment of the consortium through dedicated sessions focused on Work Package progress.

Each Work Package presented its achievements, current challenges and future needs, providing a comprehensive overview of the project’s status. This exercise allowed partners to identify interdependencies, avoid duplication of efforts and enhance coordination across activities.

Among the key achievements highlighted were the development of methodological frameworks for case studies, the expansion of Living Lab activities and the production of training materials aimed at empowering communities.

At the same time, several challenges were identified. These included the need for improved coordination among case studies, the standardisation of data collection processes and the reinforcement of stakeholder engagement strategies. Addressing these challenges collectively ensures that the project remains aligned and efficient.

From discussion to action: defining the next steps

One of the most important outcomes of the FARCLIMATE Forum was the definition of a 90-day operational roadmap.

This roadmap establishes clear priorities, responsibilities and deliverables for each Work Package, ensuring that all partners move forward with a shared vision. By focusing on concrete actions and measurable milestones, the project strengthens its capacity to deliver impactful results within defined timelines.

Furthermore, the Forum reinforced the importance of collaboration across Work Packages. By explicitly identifying cross-dependencies and support needs, partners can work more effectively together and ensure that knowledge flows across the entire project.

The co-creation approach also remains central to the next phase of FARCLIMATE. Engaging stakeholders in the development and validation of solutions will continue to be a priority, ensuring that outcomes are both relevant and scalable.

Strengthening Living Labs as drivers of climate resilience

The FARCLIMATE Forum highlighted the central role of Living Labs in advancing climate adaptation.

By involving stakeholders directly in the innovation process, Living Labs enable the co-creation of solutions that respond to real needs. This approach not only improves the quality of the solutions developed but also increases their acceptance and long-term impact.

Workshops and co-creation activities demonstrated how stakeholders can move from passive participants to active contributors. Through dialogue, experimentation and collaboration, Living Labs create a space where knowledge is shared and transformed into actionable strategies.

Moreover, the Forum reinforced the importance of documenting and sharing results. By capturing insights and lessons learned, the project contributes to a growing knowledge base that can support other regions facing similar challenges.

Looking ahead: building on the momentum of the FARCLIMATE Forum

Looking ahead, the outcomes of the FARCLIMATE Forum will play a crucial role in shaping the next phase of the project.

The defined roadmap will guide upcoming activities, including the consolidation of case study results, the development of policy recommendations and the expansion of training and dissemination actions. These efforts will ensure that the project continues to generate impact at both local and European levels.

In addition, the consortium will continue to strengthen its collaborative ecosystem. By engaging stakeholders, policymakers and communities, FARCLIMATE aims to build long-lasting partnerships that support climate resilience beyond the duration of the project.

As the project progresses, the focus will remain on transforming knowledge into action. The FARCLIMATE Forum has demonstrated that collaboration, co-creation and shared commitment are essential to addressing the complex challenges of climate adaptation.

The FARCLIMATE Forum stands as a clear example of how bringing together diverse perspectives can lead to meaningful progress. By aligning efforts and fostering collaboration, the project continues to move forward in its mission to build more resilient communities across Europe.

Across Europe, rising temperatures, prolonged droughts and extreme weather events are increasing the frequency and intensity of wildfires. Forest ecosystems are becoming more vulnerable, and rural communities face growing risks to their livelihoods, biodiversity and infrastructure.

In this context, traditional practices such as shepherding and grazing are gaining renewed attention as practical, nature-based solutions for climate adaptation. Far from being outdated, grazing is emerging as a strategic tool to manage vegetation, reduce wildfire risk and enhance forestry resilience.

Why wildfire risk is increasing across Europe

Climate change is reshaping forest dynamics. Hotter summers, reduced precipitation and longer dry seasons contribute to the accumulation of dry biomass, creating highly flammable landscapes. At the same time, rural depopulation and land abandonment in many European regions have reduced traditional land management practices, allowing vegetation to grow unchecked.

This combination of climate stress and vegetation accumulation significantly increases wildfire probability. Once ignited, fires spread more rapidly and burn more intensely when there is abundant fuel available.

Preventing wildfires, therefore, is not only about emergency response, it is about managing landscapes proactively.

What is natural grazing and how does it work?

Natural grazing refers to the ecological process through which herbivores feed on vegetation, shaping plant structure, species composition and fuel load. Historically, grazing animals such as sheep and goats played a crucial role in maintaining open landscapes, controlling shrub growth and reducing the accumulation of dry biomass.

Unlike intensive livestock systems, traditional shepherding practices are typically mobile and adapted to local ecosystems. Animals graze selectively, creating heterogeneous landscapes that interrupt continuous fuel patterns. This mosaic structure can slow down or limit the spread of fire.

In ecological terms, grazing influences:

• Vegetation height and density
• Species diversity
• Accumulation of combustible material
• Landscape connectivity

By reducing the volume of fine fuels (such as dry grasses and shrubs), grazing directly lowers the intensity and speed at which wildfires can spread.

Grazing as a tool for wildfire prevention

Recent European initiatives and research highlight the growing recognition of grazing as a wildfire prevention strategy. By acting as “biological fuel managers,” grazing animals help reduce the vegetation that would otherwise serve as fire fuel during dry periods.

In fire-prone regions, targeted grazing has been integrated into risk reduction strategies. Shepherds guide animals to areas with high biomass accumulation, helping to clear firebreak zones and buffer areas near forests and rural settlements.

This approach offers several advantages:

• Continuous, low-cost vegetation management
• Reduced reliance on mechanical clearing
• Lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to heavy machinery
• Simultaneous support for rural livelihoods

Importantly, grazing does not eliminate wildfire risk entirely. However, it reduces fire intensity and spread potential, making landscapes more manageable and resilient.

Scientific evidence supporting grazing for ecosystem resilience

Scientific studies increasingly confirm that grazing influences ecosystem dynamics in ways that can contribute to resilience. Moderate grazing levels have been associated with:

• Improved plant diversity
• Enhanced soil structure
• Reduced shrub encroachment
• Lower fuel continuity

When properly managed, grazing can create structurally diverse landscapes that are less prone to large-scale fires. It also supports ecosystem services such as biodiversity conservation, carbon cycling and water regulation.

However, context matters. Overgrazing can degrade ecosystems, while undergrazing can lead to fuel accumulation. The effectiveness of grazing as a climate adaptation strategy depends on adaptive management, local knowledge and ecological monitoring.

This is where combining traditional shepherding knowledge with scientific assessment becomes crucial.

Shepherding and climate adaptation: beyond wildfire prevention

While wildfire prevention is one of the most visible benefits, grazing contributes to climate adaptation in broader ways. By maintaining open landscapes and reducing vegetation density, grazing can:

• Protect forest edges
• Support habitat diversity
• Enhance ecosystem connectivity
• Sustain rural economies

Shepherding also preserves traditional ecological knowledge — practices that have evolved over centuries in response to local climatic conditions. Integrating this knowledge into modern adaptation strategies strengthens social resilience alongside ecological resilience.

In a context where climate adaptation often relies on technological solutions, grazing represents a complementary, low-tech but highly effective approach grounded in ecological processes.

A Nature-Based Solution aligned with European climate objectives

The European Union increasingly promotes Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) as key tools for climate resilience. Grazing fits within this framework by working with ecological systems rather than against them.

By reducing wildfire risk, enhancing biodiversity and sustaining rural livelihoods, shepherding supports multiple policy objectives simultaneously:

• Climate adaptation
• Biodiversity conservation
• Rural development
• Sustainable land management

This integrated approach reflects the need for systemic solutions that address environmental, social and economic dimensions together.

The role of FARCLIMATE in promoting resilient forestry practices

Within the  project, forestry resilience is explored through Living Labs and place-based experimentation. These collaborative spaces bring together researchers, stakeholders and practitioners to test adaptation strategies in real territorial contexts.

The inclusion of practices such as grazing within adaptation discussions demonstrates the importance of integrating traditional knowledge with scientific innovation. Through training materials, case studies and dissemination activities, FARCLIMATE contributes to making these approaches visible, understandable and transferable.

By translating complex adaptation strategies into accessible formats — including videos, Practice Abstracts and stakeholder workshops — the project helps bridge the gap between research and implementation.

From tradition to transformation

As Europe faces increasing wildfire risks under climate change, prevention strategies must evolve. Shepherding and grazing show that sometimes the most effective solutions are not entirely new, but rather the result of revaluing long-standing ecological practices.

When combined with scientific evidence, monitoring tools and collaborative governance frameworks, grazing can become a powerful instrument within broader climate adaptation strategies.

Strengthening forestry resilience does not always require high-tech interventions. Sometimes, it requires recognising the value of landscapes shaped by human-animal interactions over centuries — and adapting those practices to meet contemporary climate challenges.

In the European Union, small-scale fisheries account for more than 75% of the active fishing fleet, with around 41,000 vessels in operation. While a significant proportion is concentrated in the Mediterranean which accounts for 42% in economic value, these fleets are present in all European seas. Their importance is not limited to the economic activity but they also play an important role in coastal communities’ culture and employment. This dependence on local marine resources makes these communities vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. 

Climate change and its effects on marine ecosystems

Climate change is altering the physical and chemical conditions of the oceans, with rising sea surface temperatures, changing circulation patterns, ocean acidification and increasingly frequent extreme events directly influencing marine ecosystems. The years 2023 and 2024 recorded the highest average sea surface temperatures since records began according to data from the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. This warming has direct implications for the distribution, growth and survival of fish species. Many species tend to move to areas with more favourable thermal conditions, either in latitude or depth. However, not all species have the same capacity to adapt and given that some species depend on specific habitats at key stages of their life cycle, such as shallow coastal areas or seagrass beds that provide shelter and breeding areas. When these habitats are affected by warming or environmental degradation, the ability of populations to sustain themselves is reduced. 

Climate-driven risks for small-scale fisheries

According to the OECD Review of Fisheries (2025) projections indicate that climate change will have a negative impact on global fishery productivity with estimated catches declining between 3.5% and 24% by the end of this century, depending on the emissions scenario and the region analysed. Most fishing areas will experience reductions in fish abundance although some high-latitude regions may experience temporary increases in some commercial stocks as a result of species shifting to colder waters. However, these potential gains do not offset the losses observed in tropical and temperate regions, where a significant portion of small-scale fisheries are concentrated. In addition to the reduction in fish numbers, changes in fish size and reproductive success are also expected as a consequence of thermal stress and the decline in available food, especially plankton, which is also affected by the progressive increase in acidification which has consequences on calcifying organisms that form the basis of the marine food chain. For small-scale fisheries, which often depend on sensitive coastal ecosystems and species with short life cycles, these changes can quickly translate into lower and less valuable catches. 

Changing species composition and adaptation challenges

Another significant effect of climate change is the change in the composition of species caught. In many regions, there is a decline in species adapted to cold waters and an increase in species associated with higher temperatures. This process poses additional challenges for fishers, as the new species may not have the same commercial value or may require different fishing techniques. In addition, for small-scale fleets, the ability to adapt to these changes is limited. 

Strengthening support for small-scale fisheries in Europe

In the European Union, these problems have led to a growing recognition of the need to strengthen institutional support for these fishers. The authorities have identified that current systems for allocating fishing opportunities do not always adequately reflect the new risks associated with climate change or the specific conditions of small-scale coastal fisheries. New guidelines are being promoted to improve governance, increase transparency and ensure more equitable access to fishery resources facilitating their adaptation to a changing marine environment. 

The FARCLIMATE response to small-scale fisheries vulnerability

The FARCLIMATE project responds to the vulnerabilities faced by small-scale fisheries by analysing climate change risks across European regions and identifying locally relevant adaptation measures. Through the establishment of case studies in least 20 regions, including those dependent on coastal fisheries FARCLIMATE will support the development of tailored resilience strategies along stakeholders through a Living Labs approach. 

Author of this article – David Salcines.

In this article, we share how our living labs evolve, what we learn from them, and why they matter in building Europe’s climate-resilient future.

Why living labs for climate adaptation matter

Climate change affects every region differently. Because of that diversity, we need flexible tools that bring people together and translate knowledge into action. Living labs for climate adaptation help us do exactly that. They offer real environments where policymakers, researchers, local authorities, and communities work side by side. Rather than testing ideas in isolation, we co-create solutions with the people who experience climate risks daily. This model strengthens trust, accelerates innovation, and helps align scientific knowledge with practical needs.

In addition, living labs allow us to compare different territories, from coastal regions facing changing marine ecosystems to rural areas adapting to new patterns in agriculture and forestry. This comparison gives us deeper insight into climate risks and possible adaptation pathways.

How we build and strengthen living labs

Throughout the FARCLIMATE project, we engage closely with each Living Lab to shape a shared methodology. During our training activities and workshops, we worked on several tools that support a structured co-creation process. We began by exploring stakeholder value mapping. This exercise helps each Living Lab understand who is involved, what they bring to the table, and how their interests shape the adaptation process. It also helps identify social or economic barriers that may slow transformation.

Then, we introduced collaborative methods for defining SMART goals. This step encourages communities to shape clear and achievable objectives that reflect their long-term vision for climate resilience.
After that, we worked with case studies to develop SWOT analyses tailored to specific contexts. These strategic insights help Living Labs anticipate risks, recognise strengths, and identify opportunities for innovation.

Together, these tools allow each Living Lab to build an innovation ecosystem that grows stronger over time. We guide the process, but communities lead the direction, which ensures ownership and long-term sustainability.

What we learn from local case studies

Our living labs demonstrate how context shapes climate adaptation. For example, coastal territories examine how warming waters and ecosystem shifts affect small-scale fisheries. Meanwhile, forestry regions explore ways to manage forest health, wildfire risk, and landscape resilience.

Agricultural living labs test solutions to water scarcity, soil degradation, and changing growing conditions. Although each territory faces unique challenges, we also identify common threads. Communities everywhere want accessible knowledge, practical tools, and the opportunity to participate meaningfully in decisions. Living labs for climate adaptation give them this platform.

Moreover, the exchange among our 16 case studies encourages mutual learning. Regions discover solutions that others already tested, adapt them to their realities, and grow stronger through collaboration.

Strengthening Europe’s climate-resilient network

As FARCLIMATE evolves, we see how living labs create long-term value beyond local adaptation. They strengthen regional networks, enhance cross-border collaboration, and accelerate the spread of nature-based, socially inclusive, and economically viable solutions.

Our participation in events like Open Living Lab Days 2025 reinforces that momentum. Through workshops, training sessions, and joint activities with other Horizon Europe projects, we continue refining our methodology and expanding our community.

Each new exchange adds depth to our understanding of climate risks and helps us offer Living Labs stronger support throughout their development. As a result, the European ecosystem becomes more connected, more informed, and more capable of co-creating resilient futures.

Looking ahead

Going forward, we remain committed to scaling the impact of living labs for climate adaptation. We will continue deepening collaboration with regional actors, facilitating innovation pathways, and empowering communities to drive change from the ground up. FARCLIMATE’s mission is clear: transform knowledge into action and build a Europe where resilience grows through connection, participation, and shared purpose.

To learn more about our work across Europe, visit our homepage at https://farclimate-project.eu.

The event became a true milestone for FARCLIMATE, highlighting our collaborative approach to climate resilience and strengthening our ties with sister projects such as PRO-CLIMATE. By joining hundreds of international participants, we showcased how Living Labs can bridge science, communities, and policy to create practical and inclusive climate solutions.

An Interactive Workshop: From PRO to FAR

One of the highlights of Open Living Lab Days 2025 was the workshop “From PRO to FAR: Bridging futures of climate resilience through Living Labs” ,co-hosted by FARCLIMATE and PRO-CLIMATE.

The session guided participants in exploring how to establish and scale climate-resilient Living Labs. Drawing on real-life experiences from across Europe, attendees explored strategies to engage communities more effectively, design and test collaborative methodologies, and build sustainable and inclusive Living Lab ecosystems.

This workshop went beyond presentations. It became a space for interaction and reflection, where participants were encouraged to bring forward their own case studies and challenges. By connecting these diverse perspectives, the session demonstrated the unique capacity of Living Labs to function as hubs of innovation.

As many participants reflected afterwards, the workshop was more than a meeting. It was a powerful demonstration of what co-creation looks like when knowledge, innovation, and community come together to tackle climate adaptation.

Training Sessions for Case Studies

In addition to the workshop, FARCLIMATE facilitated training sessions for the 16 Living Lab case studies developed within the project. These case studies span across Europe and address the challenges of climate change in fisheries, agriculture, and forestry.

Over the course of a full day, partners and case study representatives worked through hands-on exercises, including stakeholder value mapping, SMART goals, and SWOT analysis. These activities, led by Laurea University of Applied Sciences, ENoLL, and the University of Vigo, provided structured tools to transform research into practical strategies for climate adaptation.

The sessions created a space for partners to present results, discuss challenges, and design roadmaps for the next phase of their Living Labs. The interactive format encouraged open dialogue, and participants highlighted the importance of peer-to-peer learning. As one participant shared, it was a valuable opportunity to exchange knowledge, test methodologies, and co-create approaches tailored to the realities of local communities.

By linking academic knowledge with grassroots innovation, the training sessions embodied FARCLIMATE’s mission to empower communities as central actors in the transition to climate resilience.

Strengthening Collaboration Across Europe

Throughout the week, FARCLIMATE partners — including Contactica, Universidade de Vigo, and FUNDAMAR — actively contributed to discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities. Contactica played a special role as leaders of Work Package 8, coordinating communication efforts and designing participant gift kits that reinforced the project’s visibility.

The participation of case study representatives, such as those from the Montagna Potentina Living Lab in Italy or the Nurmi Living Lab in Finland, enriched the exchanges by bringing local perspectives into the European dialogue. Their contributions illustrated how local realities can inform broader strategies for climate adaptation when properly integrated into a collaborative framework.

These exchanges also emphasized the importance of clustering activities with sister projects like PRO-CLIMATE. Joint efforts during Open Living Lab Days 2025 showed how synergies between EU-funded initiatives can multiply impact, ensuring that methodologies are shared, replicated, and scaled across different regions and sectors.

Looking Ahead

Our participation at Open Living Lab Days 2025 demonstrated the power of Living Labs to connect people, science, and policy. FARCLIMATE not only shared progress from its 16 case studies but also positioned itself as a driver of collaborative innovation in climate adaptation.

The event marked an important step in our journey to build a European network of climate-resilient communities. We return from Andorra with renewed energy, strengthened partnerships, and actionable strategies to scale Living Labs across fisheries, agriculture, and forestry.

At FARCLIMATE, we remain committed to transforming knowledge into practice and to co-creating resilient futures with communities across Europe. With each event, workshop, and training session, we take one step closer to building the sustainable, inclusive, and climate-ready Europe we envision.

This year’s theme, “Living Labs for Regenerative Futures”, resonates deeply with our mission to build climate resilience in fisheries, agriculture, and forestry. FARCLIMATE will not only participate but also host its own workshop, creating a space for co-design and collaboration that connects communities, policymakers, researchers, and businesses. Together, we aim to imagine and shape futures where climate resilience is built into everyday practices.

What Are Open Living Lab Days?

Open Living Lab Days is the flagship annual event of the European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL). It is the largest gathering of Living Lab practitioners, policymakers, companies, and researchers who work together to foster innovation across Europe and beyond.

Each year, the event serves as a space to exchange knowledge, showcase pilot initiatives, and collaborate on emerging challenges. For FARCLIMATE, it represents a unique opportunity to share our vision, learn from peers, and strengthen our role in co-creating solutions that lead to resilient futures.

Why Living Labs Matter for Climate Resilience

Living Labs are real spaces where experimentation meets community needs. By engaging citizens, industry, academia, and governments in hands-on collaboration, Living Labs generate actionable solutions that can be scaled across regions.

For climate resilience, this means developing strategies that not only address today’s challenges but also anticipate future risks. These strategies:

• Integrate nature-based solutions to restore ecosystems.

• Support sustainable practices in fisheries, agriculture, and forestry.

• Empower local communities to shape their own adaptation pathways.

Through this collaborative approach, Living Labs act as bridges between research and practice, ensuring that climate adaptation is inclusive, transformative, and future-oriented.

FARCLIMATE’s Workshop: From PRO to FAR

At OLLD25, FARCLIMATE will host the interactive workshop: “From PRO to FAR: Bridging futures of climate resilience through Living Labs.” This session will guide participants in establishing and expanding climate-resilient Living Labs across different European regions.

The workshop draws on real-life experiences from communities already testing adaptation strategies. Participants will explore how to identify promising case studies, engage communities effectively, foster collaboration across diverse stakeholders, and ensure the long-term impact of their initiatives.

By combining knowledge with practice, our goal is to empower participants to take actionable steps in co-creating resilient futures across Europe.

Looking Ahead: Building a Network of Climate-Resilient Communities

Our presence at OLLD25 is more than just a workshop, it is part of FARCLIMATE’s larger vision to foster a European network of climate-resilient communities. The exchanges, ideas, and collaborations that emerge in Andorra will feed directly into our ongoing work in fisheries, agriculture, and forestry across more than 20 European regions.

As we look forward to an inspiring week, we remain committed to turning dialogue into concrete action. Together with partners and participants, we will continue to explore how Living Labs can help co-create a sustainable and inclusive future.

Conclusion

The challenges of climate change demand more than isolated solutions, they call for collective creativity and bold collaboration. FARCLIMATE’s participation in Open Living Lab Days 2025 is a key step in co-creating resilient futures for European communities. By connecting people, practices, and places through Living Labs, we are building new pathways for climate adaptation that empower communities and inspire long-term transformation from within. The change must happen now!

👉 Learn more about FARCLIMATE at farclimate-project.eu
👉 Discover Open Living Lab Days 2025 at openlivinglabdays.com

On July 18 in Pontevedra and July 22 in Arousa, we gathered together with the local GALPs (Local Action Groups for Fisheries), our partners from FUNDAMAR, and a strong team from the University of Vigo. Together, we worked on identifying solutions, sharing local insights, and co-defining a clear path forward for a sustainable and climate-adaptive future in these vital marine territories.

Why Galicia Matters

Galicia is one of the regions where climate change is already making an impact. Galicia’s coastal ecosystems are economically vital and ecologically rich, but they are also highly vulnerable to the growing impacts of climate change. As a coastal territory deeply connected to fisheries and shellfish gathering, it faces increasing sea temperatures, coastal erosion, shifting species distributions, and extreme weather events that place pressure on local livelihoods. And yet, its people remain deeply committed to preserving their ecosystems and their way of life.

We believe the best way to enhance climate resilience in Galicia is by listening to the people who depend on these ecosystems every day. These are the communities that will be most affected by climate shifts and they must be central in designing the solutions. We chose to hold these workshops in Galicia because the region embodies the challenges, and the potential, of a just and community-driven climate transition. Supporting climate resilience in Galicia means protecting not just nature, but the social fabric that depends on it. We also organized these participatory workshops because we want to validate the results of earlier risk analyses and collaboratively explore the most effective responses. On this opportunity, we didn’t just speak, we listened to what they had to say.

Co-Designing Solutions with the Community

Before arriving at the workshops, we carried out extensive diagnostic work to understand local vulnerabilities, community priorities, and environmental risks. Using this foundation, each session became a collaborative space where local actors could validate and prioritize potential climate adaptation actions.

Through participatory dialogue, we discussed how to enhance resilience in the fisheries and shellfish sectors using nature-based approaches, innovation, and local knowledge. Each proposal that emerged was shaped by those who know the territory best,    the people who live and work there every day.

The engagement was inspiring. It reminded us why our work must always center on those most affected by climate disruption.

Aligning Regional Action with European Goals

These activities in Galicia aren’t isolated. They are an integral part of our broader vision within FARCLIMATE: to strengthen resilience across Europe’s most climate-vulnerable sectors, including fishing, agriculture, and forestry.

The workshops in Galicia reflect how we’re aligning local strategies with the EU’s Climate Adaptation Mission, the Green Deal, and the ambitions of a sustainable blue economy. They are proof that policy can be co-designed, solutions can be community-owned, and climate adaptation can be inclusive.

By promoting climate resilience in Galicia, we’re laying the groundwork for what we hope will become a network of climate-resilient communities across Europe, places where innovation and tradition work together to protect both people and planet.

What Comes Next

We left Galicia with renewed energy and actionable insights. These workshops aren’t the end, they’re part of an ongoing process. We’ll continue developing and testing solutions with our regional partners, scaling successful models, and sharing knowledge across our network of over 20 regions.

The path to resilience is built one conversation, one community, and one commitment at a time. We’re proud to walk this path with Galicia.

Learn more about our mission at farclimate-project.eu