At FARCLIMATE, we believe real climate adaptation begins with the people most affected by its consequences. That’s why this July, we took a key step in strengthening climate resilience in Galicia, by co-hosting two strategic workshops in the Ría de Pontevedra and Ría de Arousa, where we met face-to-face with the communities leading local action.
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