Building a powerful EU-wide network for climate resilience
Since its launch in 2023, the EU-funded P2R(opens in new window) project has been supporting regions and communities throughout Europe on their journey to climate resilience. Now, 62 of the continent’s most climate-vulnerable regions have been selected to join the project in an effort to strengthen their climate adaptation and resilience plans. This new cohort brings the total number of participating regions(opens in new window) from 38 European countries to 100, all committed to the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change(opens in new window). “I warmly congratulate all regions selected in the second Pathways2Resilience cohort,” remarks Elina Bardram, Director for Adaptation & Resilience, Communication and Civil Society Relations at the European Commission, in a news item(opens in new window) posted on the P2R website. “As a flagship initiative, Pathways2Resilience helps the EU Mission on Adaptation deliver on its objectives and advance regional climate resilience together, through tailored support and peer learning.”
Valuable support for effective action
The 62 selected regions face three major hazards: coastal and river flooding, heat stress and drought. With P2R’s support, these regions will be able to take steps to tackle the climate threats affecting infrastructure and putting their citizens’ lives and health at risk. Rastislav Trnka, President of Slovakia’s Košice region, comments: “The growing risks of drought and extreme precipitation, along with our above-average vulnerability, highlight the need for systematic adaptation measures. This project will enable us to modernise the region’s adaptation strategy, leverage expert know-how, and engage in meaningful knowledge exchange with partner regions.” Košice is part of the second cohort and is one of three Slovakian regions participating in the project. In addition to EUR 210 000 in grant funding, the participating regions each receive mentoring, tools and guidance for climate planning tailored to each region and interactive peer learning opportunities. Armed with this support, each region has 18 months in which to develop a strong climate resilience strategy, as well as action and investment plans. To assist this process, P2R recently published a paper(opens in new window) that explains how using a finance and economics process called the Adaptation Investment Cycle as part of the broader adaptation planning processes can address barriers to adaptation financing. “With 100 regions now on board, Pathways2Resilience is creating a powerful network of local communities committed to climate adaptation,” states Thomas Koetz of project coordinator Climate KIC in the Netherlands. “This second cohort brings fresh energy and diverse perspectives, helping us accelerate Europe’s resilience journey at a time when climate impacts are intensifying.”
A summit for resilience
On 11 February 2026, all 100 regions gathered in Budapest for the P2R summit. Budapest was chosen for a reason. As a city facing intensifying heatwaves and floods, it has – through participation in P2R – succeeded in taking cohesive climate action in the form of nature-based solutions, green development initiatives and rainwater management. The summit highlighted achievements from the first cohort and welcomed the second, reinforcing the P2R (Pathways2Resilience: Co-developing pathways towards Climate resilient regions in Europe) project’s ambition to accelerate adaption across Europe. For more information, please see: P2R project website(opens in new window)