From the moment we stepped inside the NOVA IMS facilities, it was clear that this General Assembly would mark an important moment for our consortium. With more than 30 partners present in the room, the energy, engagement, and collaborative mindset shaped two days of meaningful dialogue and forward-looking planning.

Reviewing progress across FARCLIMATE’s work packages

We opened the General Assembly by reviewing the current status of the project and assessing our accomplishments since the beginning of the year. Each WP Leader shared updates, insights, and priorities for the coming months (y si quieres mencionar alguno en especial, dime).

A key highlight was the recognition from our Project Officer, who validated the strong progress achieved so far and emphasized the consortium’s solid performance. This encouraging feedback reinforced our collective confidence as we approach the second half of the project.

Throughout the sessions, we reflected on:

• The continuing refinement and organization of the FARCLIMATE Case Studies, which now offer a solid foundation for local action.

• The successful engagement of communities and regional actors participating in fisheries, agriculture, and forestry case studies.

• The development and release of training materials, and the announcement that a second wave of Training Modules is planned for Q1 2026, in collaboration with several partners.

These updates demonstrated the tangible evolution of FARCLIMATE, as well as the growing maturity of our activities across Europe.

Workshops that drove interaction and co-creation

A defining feature of the Lisbon General Assembly was its dynamic workshop environment. Partners interacted, exchanged methodologies, and developed shared solutions that will drive our implementation phase forward.

The Communication & Dissemination workshop encouraged partners to reflect on how strategic storytelling and unified messaging strengthen the visibility of project results. Through group exercises, partners explored real scenarios and identified ways to translate scientific outputs into accessible messages for the public.

The Training Workshop was equally engaging, bringing together partners involved in the creation of FARCLIMATE learning materials. During this session, we explored new collaborative possibilities, including strengthened cooperation between CTA, C4G, and GGG, focused on optimizing methodologies for future training videos and capacity-building tools.

These workshops offered valuable space for creativity, co-design, and knowledge sharing. They also reaffirmed that collaboration is one of FARCLIMATE’s greatest strengths in delivering effective climate adaptation strategies.

Case studies: advancing local climate action

Case studies remain at the heart of FARCLIMATE’s impact. During the General Assembly, ENoLL & LAUREA shared updates from the field: community engagement sessions, risk assessments, Living Lab activities, and early insights shaping local strategies.

Discussions also focused on common challenges encountered across regions, and how shared learning can help refine methodologies for the remainder of the project. This exchange helped partners enhance their approaches, build alignment, and prepare coherent roadmaps for the upcoming implementation phase of their local Living Labs.

A warm and inspiring time together in Lisbon

Beyond the technical sessions, the General Assembly was also a moment to reconnect as a community. Partners shared stories, exchanged reflections, and strengthened ties that support FARCLIMATE’s collaborative approach.

One of the highlights was a group visit to the iconic Pastéis de Belém factory in the center of Lisbon. This small excursion offered a warm and informal space to enjoy Portuguese culture, laugh together, and further reinforce the human connections that sustain our work.

Moments like these remind us that climate resilience is not only built through tools and methodologies, it is built through people.

Stronger, more connected, and ready for 2026

As we closed the two-day meeting, partners expressed renewed motivation and clarity regarding the path forward. With training modules advancing, case studies evolving, and new collaborations emerging, FARCLIMATE is entering the next phase with momentum and unity.

Our General Assembly in Lisbon reaffirmed our shared commitment to strengthening climate resilience across Europe through meaningful partnerships, community engagement, and innovation rooted in the real needs of territories.

We look forward to the next steps and to continuing this journey together.

Our commitment to climate resilience is rooted in empowering local communities. That’s why local Living Labs play a central role in the FARCLIMATE project, allowing us to test, validate, and scale solutions tailored to specific ecosystems, cultures, and economies.

What are local Living Labs?

Local Living Labs are real-life, participatory environments where stakeholders (including citizens, scientists, policymakers, and local authorities) come together to co-create, test, and refine innovative solutions to societal challenges. When applied to climate adaptation, these labs become especially effective because they ground innovation in real-world settings and specific community needs.

One of the primary strengths of local Living Labs lies in their ability to design context-specific responses. Each lab reflects the unique environmental conditions and cultural realities of its region. This ensures that the climate solutions being tested are not only technically sound but also socially and economically viable for the communities they serve.

Moreover, by inviting communities into the heart of innovation, local Living Labs strengthen civic participation. Residents are not passive recipients of solutions, they are active contributors who help shape them. This shared ownership fosters trust, accelerates adoption, and enhances long-term sustainability.

Finally, local Living Labs allow successful interventions to be scaled up across similar ecosystems. The learnings generated in one rural or coastal area can be translated and adapted to other regions facing comparable climate risks, helping to build broader resilience networks across Europe.

Why are local Living Labs essential to FARCLIMATE?

FARCLIMATE is a Horizon Europe-funded project with a bold ambition: to build resilience across sectors most vulnerable to climate change, including agriculture, fisheries, and forestry. Local Living Labs provide the space and structure we need to understand regional vulnerabilities and test targeted solutions in a collaborative setting.

By embedding our work within communities across ten different regions, FARCLIMATE ensures that local knowledge, challenges, and priorities shape every phase of the project. In Galicia, Spain, for instance, the coastal Living Lab has become a hub for exploring how warming ocean temperatures affect traditional fishing practices. Community members and scientists co-design new approaches to sustainable fisheries, drawing on both ancestral knowledge and cutting-edge marine science.

Similarly, in Fundão, Portugal, our forestry-focused Living Lab is revitalizing degraded land through regenerative techniques. Here, landowners, researchers, and environmental organizations explore how to use ecosystem restoration as a tool for both climate resilience and economic revitalization.

These local Living Labs have not only strengthened FARCLIMATE’s research base, they’ve also become centers of innovation where public policies, community values, and sustainability goals converge in practice.

How local Living Labs shape innovation and policy

Beyond research and experimentation, local Living Labs play a critical role in informing policy and shaping institutional responses to climate change. Because they operate in real-world conditions, they produce grounded insights that complement academic data and modeling.

Many traditional top-down approaches to adaptation fail to account for the lived experiences of communities on the frontlines of climate change. In contrast, the participatory nature of local Living Labs ensures that those most affected by climate impacts also help determine the most effective responses. As a result, the data collected from these labs is not only more relevant but also more readily accepted by local stakeholders.

The feedback loop created by these labs (where information flows between communities, scientists, and policymakers), allows FARCLIMATE to refine its strategies and propose concrete policy recommendations. These proposals are then shared across the FARCLIMATE network and beyond, providing replicable models for other regions seeking to strengthen their climate resilience.

Real-world impact from local Living Labs

We are already witnessing positive outcomes from our Living Lab initiatives. In many regions, there is a notable increase in community engagement and trust around climate actions. Residents who were once skeptical are now co-leading workshops, proposing their own ideas, and championing nature-based solutions.

In addition to social engagement, local Living Labs are generating robust collaborations between public institutions, research centers, and private stakeholders. These new alliances are helping streamline project implementation, attract investment, and improve technical capacity in remote areas.

The climate adaptation solutions developed within our Living Labs are also yielding practical benefits. In the forestry sector, we’re seeing better land use planning and ecosystem management. In fisheries, there is more awareness of sustainable practices and a shift toward long-term strategies. These achievements demonstrate how the Living Lab model can effectively integrate scientific innovation with community resilience.

A roadmap to scalable climate resilience

Our vision extends beyond the current project scope. FARCLIMATE aims to help establish a wider European network of local Living Labs that serve as hubs of resilience, creativity, and transformation. These labs are more than just pilot sites, they represent a systemic shift in how we approach climate adaptation.

By supporting communities to innovate locally and share globally, we are laying the foundation for a climate-ready Europe, one that is informed, inclusive, and prepared for the challenges ahead.

Want to learn more?

Visit farclimate-project.eu to explore our training sessions and Living Labs, and discover how your community can be part of this transformation.

Let’s shape the future from the ground up. 🌱

Challenges facing EU fisheries

Small-scale fishers in regions like southern Italy and Galicia, Spain, experience the adverse effects of climate change firsthand. Pollution and rising sea temperatures have led to declining catches, threatening the livelihoods of communities dependent on fishing. Additionally, accessing support from funds such as the €12 billion European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) has proven challenging for these small operators, as complex application processes often favor larger entities.

FARCLIMATE’s approach to building resilience

To address these challenges, FARCLIMATE engages stakeholders in each region to establish effective governance and management mechanisms. By creating Living Labs, we facilitate the co-creation, testing, and scaling of innovative activities in real-life settings. Our in-depth research on value chains, socioeconomic and environmental factors, and existing economic sectors informs the development of tailored solutions. Through training and workshops, we empower communities to adopt sustainable practices and enhance their adaptive capacities.

Implementing transformative solutions

FARCLIMATE focuses on developing and expanding climate-resilient measures that are accessible and understandable to all stakeholders. We prioritize nature-based solutions and consider the social, political, and economic barriers unique to each region. By promoting sustainable recommendations and supporting transformative changes in farming, fisheries, and forestry, we aim to create a more resilient and sustainable future for European fisheries.

Collaborative efforts for a sustainable future

Our consortium comprises 14 partners from six European countries, including universities, research institutions, and industry stakeholders. This interdisciplinary, multisectoral, and multi-actor collaboration ensures a comprehensive approach to climate change adaptation. By working closely with local communities, policymakers, and industry leaders, we strive to implement effective strategies that enhance the resilience of the fisheries sector amidst the challenges posed by climate change.

What is Close-to-Nature Silviculture?

Close-to-Nature Silviculture is an eco-friendly forestry management approach that works in harmony with natural processes. By mimicking the dynamics of natural forests, this method promotes:

• Sustainability: Enhancing forest health while minimizing human impact.
• Innovation: Integrating traditional knowledge with modern techniques.
• Resilience: Improving the forest’s ability to adapt to climate change.

This approach not only preserves biodiversity but also supports the sustainable management of forest resources—a critical element in mitigating the impacts of climate change.

Principles and Benefits

At the core of Close-to-Nature Silviculture are several fundamental principles:

• Emulating Natural Dynamics: By encouraging spontaneous regeneration and maintaining ecological balance, this method preserves the intrinsic characteristics of forests.
• Enhancing Ecosystem Services: Improved soil and water quality, increased biodiversity, and greater resistance to climate stresses are key benefits.
• Resource Efficiency: Sustainable methods optimize resource use and minimize environmental impacts, ensuring that forest management contributes to broader climate adaptation goals.

These benefits support FARCLIMATE’s mission to deliver climate-resilient solutions, aligning with the European Commission’s emphasis on sustainable and innovative approaches.

Sustainable Methods in Practice

FARCLIMATE applies Close-to-Nature Silviculture as part of its broader strategy to transform economic sectors affected by climate change. By adapting techniques to local conditions, the project:

• Blends traditional forest management practices with modern technologies.
• Develops decision management plans and training workshops for local stakeholders.
• Implements nature-based solutions that are both environmentally friendly and economically viable.

These methods ensure that forest ecosystems are managed sustainably while contributing to the climate resilience of communities across Europe.

Long-Term Impact and Community Resilience

The long-term vision of Close-to-Nature Silviculture is to build resilient, sustainable forests that serve as a foundation for local and regional economic stability. FARCLIMATE’s integrated approach not only strengthens forest ecosystems but also empowers communities by:

• Creating living labs that serve as models for sustainable practices.
• Enhancing local capacity through re-skilling and training opportunities.
• Providing policy recommendations and guidelines for broader application of nature-based solutions.

By forging a network of climate-resilient communities, FARCLIMATE is paving the way for a greener, more sustainable future.

Conclusion

Close-to-Nature Silviculture exemplifies how innovative, sustainable forestry practices can address the challenges posed by climate change. Through its interdisciplinary approach, FARCLIMATE is transforming the way we manage our natural resources, ensuring that our forests remain healthy and resilient for generations to come. Discover more about our work and join us on the journey toward a sustainable future.

24th of September

In this context, FARCLIMATE organised a Training day focusing on introducing Living Labs and stakeholder engagement on September 24th. The training was provided for European regions and communities applying the Living Lab methodology in the agriculture, fisheries, and forestry sectors, like FARCLIMATE itself. Seven of the case studies that are being launched this year within FARCLIMATE attended the training:

1. Municipality of Fundão
2. Green Growth Generation
3. CESEFOR,Junta de Castilla y León
4. Development Policy Foundation
5. Fundación Savia
6. GALP Ría de Arousa
7. GALP Ría de Pontevedra

🔸 The session was introduced by Pablo Cabanelas from Universidad de Vigo. During the morning Leidy Vanessa Enriquez Florez, Spela Zalokar (ENoLL), Teemu Santonen (Laurea University of Applied Sciences), Maria Konstantinidou and Josep Maria Salanova Grau (CERTH) focused the session on living labs, covering the fundamental principles, providing a clear narrative around the “what, who, why, when, and where” of Living Labs. They explained what Living Lab is, why it should be used, and when and where they can be effectively applied, sharing real-life examples to illustrate their impact. During the hands-on exercise,  working tables were organised to focus on defining key elements such as the purpose, host organization, mission, vision, and scope of a Living Lab. Participants also explored the roles of people within the lab, its internal structure, and the broader context, including relevant stakeholders and the Living Lab environment.

🔸After that, Juan Freire and Beatriz Rivela Carballal from inViable focused on stakeholder engagement. After an initial introduction aimed at fostering an understanding of what stakeholder management means in the context of FARCLIMATE, the session covered basic concepts such as the need for participation, the role of experience experts, understanding Living Labs within the innovation landscape, and the flexibility they offer. Following this, the group explored the journey and tools of FARCLIMATE, with collective work centered on the setup phase of the Living Labs. A practical exercise, «Landing in the Journey,» encouraged representatives from the case studies to reflect on their current position within the journey. The session concluded with a second exercise, where participants sketched an initial plan and outlined the next steps in their setup process.

🔸Finally, Jose Carlos Porto Rodríguez (Cesefor) explained the methodology for identifying climate change-related problems and exploring potential solutions. In both instances, he emphasized the importance of involving all stakeholders — not only to gather diverse perspectives, but also to ensure their active participation in this collaborative process. Also, Helena Clavero from IUCN, presented the Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions (NbS), developed by the organisation, as well as the online Self-Assessment Tool and what is needed to apply it by the case studies of the project. During the intervention, the concept of NbS and the framework used by IUCN were developed and the criteria that are part of the Standard and what information is needed to be able to apply it by the case studies were introduced, as a support tool for the best design and implementation of the actions within the project.

26th of September

Another key highlight from the Open Living Lab Days 2024  was the presentation of FARCLIMATE by Pablo Cabanelas from Universidade de Vigo, coordinators of the project. During this session, presenters discussed the systemic approach within the EU Missions and the challenge of the assessment of the impact. The systemic approach is critical to create a coordinated efforts that go beyond traditional policy and research boundaries. Specifically, Pablo Cabanelas focused on the Mission Adaptation introducing FARCLIMATE as an initiative that is working on this approach

Organised by Sabrina Bresciani and Francesca Rizzo (Politecnico di Milano), this round table also touched on the Missions “Soil”, “Oceans” and “Cities” with the participation of Giulia Campodonico, Fedra Francocci, Laura Ribotta and Morgan Ricard.

The afternoon of the 26th, the inViable team carried out the Workshop «WILD Labs – Mapping the Innovation Frontier – A Taxonomy for Navigating Spaces and Processes» to explore interoperability, draw insights and search for synergies from various participatory innovation frameworks and infrastructures (the «labs»), reflecting on processes and tools that can be integrated into what we’ve coined as WILD Labs. Through the study and analysis of various formats, spaces, processes, and tools within different innovation frameworks, they presented a taxonomy proposal for discussion. This allowed participants to explore the symbiosis and integration of learnings, ultimately paving the way for the development of a catalogue of processes and tools that could potentially be integrated into a forward-looking vision of future applications, transcending the standardisation of Living Labs: the WILD Labs. This initiative is is related to the work done at FARCLIMTE where the Living Lab framework is applied to search, experiment and scale climate adaptation solutions in several European territories and communities where agriculture, forestry or fisheries are key economic activities.

Community Gardens at the center

Urban gardens, as a form of small-scale agriculture, enable citizens to grow fresh, zero-mile produce, reducing the environmental impact of transportation of goods and contributing to a decrease in CO2 emissions. These green spaces offer a concrete response to the challenges of urbanization and climate change, improving air quality and fostering urban biodiversity. But not only: urban gardens can also become authentic centers of social and cultural gathering, enriched by events, exhibitions and talks that enliven neighborhood life. Places that enable people to share knowledge, experiences and strengthen community ties. This is the goal of Green Growth Generation, and one that in the coming months will involve four community gardens in the Aurora and Barriera di Milano neighborhoods in Turin: Orto Boschetto, Orto Lidl, Fattoria del Bunker and St’Orto Urbano.

Meeting with the Communities

“Progetto FARClimate: l’Orto che vorrei” represents a first step toward this goal. Attendance by representatives of other local associations ReTe ONG (Orto Boschetto and Orto Lidl), Fiësca Verd (Bunker Farm) and Fuori di Palazzo (St’Orto Urbano) was crucial in understanding the needs and requirements of each place.

Many ideas and proposals emerged during the meeting to improve and enhance these green spaces. Discussions touched on issues such as inclusivity, active participation of residents, organizing educational workshops for schools and families, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. The aim is to bring people of different ages, cultures, and backgrounds together.

These gardens are not just growing spaces, but true open-air laboratories where new forms of sociality are experimented and more cohesive and resilient communities are built. Through the sharing of experiences and knowledge, urban gardens become places of collective learning and growth, where each individual can contribute to the common welfare.

The enthusiasm and energy generated during the meeting testify to the potential of this project in the social fabric of the neighborhoods involved. Green Growth Generation will continue to work with associations and residents to turn this vision into reality, starting already in September, with important new initiatives to be unveiled in the coming weeks.

You can follow Green Growth Generation in their social media accounts: LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

For more information and updates on the project’s progress, follow us on LinkedIn and X.

During two very intense and productive days, partners did not only discuss about the progress of the project and next activities to be done, but had the opportunity to make some really interesting visits to:

🔷 Fundão’s innovation ecosystem
🔋 Fundão’s biomass power plant
🌿 Carvalhal Biodiversity Station
✨ Fundão AgroTech Centre and Seminary Experimental Farm

On Day 1, the visit to Fundão’s Innovation Ecosystem was truly enlightening! 🚀🌱

To start, TNE made a brief presentation about technologies, projects and services provided worldwide, incuding the next one, a Biofuel powerplant in Silvares, a village in Fundão.

Partners explored the Business and Shared Services Centre, Business Spot, A Praça Business Incubator, and FabLab Aldeias do Xisto. These hubs have been pivotal in attracting ICT companies, creating jobs, and supporting startups in this rural town of less than 15,000 inhabitants.

🔸The Business and Shared Services Centre, conceived as the engine of the local innovation and investment strategy, has attracted 14 ICT companies and created over 1,000 highly qualified jobs. In just 4 years, it has boosted an integrated ecosystem generating 68 startups and supporting numerous private investment projects focused on R&D, professional conversion initiatives, and digital skills.

🔸Business spot aims to centralize in a single space all the information of interest for entrepreneurs in the exercise of their economic activity, from their legal obligations to business opportunities. The concept is very similar to the Lojas do Cidadão (Citizens’ Shops), but in this case the space is exclusively for companies. It is, therefore, a new model of business service, focused on the interests and needs of the entrepreneur, concentrating the answers to the business world in a single point of contact. The aim is to make it easier for entrepreneurs to access information and to promote interaction with central and local public administration.

🔸Polynucleated Urban Enterprise and Business Incubator A Praça is an incubator and accelerator of companies and businesses that integrates the national network of incubators and is certified for the various national programmes to support entrepreneurship. It has supported more than 80 startups and projects and has created about 150 new jobs.

🔸FabLab Aldeias do Xisto is a prototyping and digital fabrication laboratory in Fundão that is part of the Fab Labs’ worldwide network. The experience, technology and space provided represent the opportunity for students, citizens, researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs to become familiar with digital fabrication, create synergies and contribute to the development of new solutions adapted to the territory and companies.

During this first day partners also toured the 15 MWe biomass plant of 15 MWe, located in the industrial zone of Fundão, that incinerates waste wood (pine and eucalyptus chips) in a biomass boiler to produce superheated steam. This steam drives a steam turbine to generate electricity that is sold to the grid.

Partners ended they day visiting the Carvalhal Biodiversity Station, located in Souto da Casa, a parish in the municipality of Fundão, Portugal. This area is notable for its rich natural environment and historical significance. The Carvalhal Biodiversity Station focuses on preserving the local biodiversity, particularly within the natural landscape of the Serra da Gardunha region.

On Day 2, partners had the chance to visit the Fundão AgroTech Centre and the Seminary Experimental Farm:

🔸 Fundão AgroTech Centre aims to affirm the territory as a living laboratory for the development, testing and demonstration of technology for agriculture, integrating with other relevant infrastructures in terms of prototyping and development, advanced training and acceleration of new ideas and businesses. It aims to promote networking, namely with a wide range of regional producers available to host new solutions for agriculture. The IoT Agrotech centre is an infrastructure to support and promote innovation and entrepreneurship that aims to leverage the integration of IoT solutions in the economy, especially in rural-based activities.

🔸The Seminary Experimental Farm is one of the Fundão AgroTech Centre facilities, where several projects and experimentations are running. The farm, with 20 hectares, besides being a test filed available to start ups aiming to test and experiment its own IoT technologies, it is a place where the Município do Fundão runs several projects and experimentations, in cooperation with different entities, namely the valorisation of autochthonous breeds and three distinct test fields for cherries, olive and grapes. Furthermore, the facilities are also used to host several training programmes in the agro-forestry/agro-industrial sector, namely for Third Country Nationals.

Thank you Fundao for you incredible hospitality and for organising such insightful and intersting visits.