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Key Message
Assess your resource needs and availability to support adaptation planning.
Preparing for adaptation requires a clear understanding of the resources available and those that are needed. It can be challenging if resources are limited. The management and institutional set-up of each adaptation effort differs, which affects resource requirements. The human, technical and financial resources in your organisation will influence how efficiently you carry out actions throughout the policy cycle. Using internal capabilities is important, but accessing external support – including from academia, citizens and the private sector – can improve efficiency in the policy process.
Human resources
Identify the human resources available by mapping skills through surveys, interviews and competency assessments, analysing staffing levels to ensure adequate personnel, and locating skills gaps to inform training programmes.
Technical resources
Technical resources – including tools, equipment and technology supporting administrative operations – can be identified by mapping and evaluating existing hardware and software. This helps determine whether current technology meets your organisational needs. Identify gaps in technology by recognising areas where new technology is needed for growth or efficiency improvement.
Financial resources
Financial viability is essential to launch and sustain climate adaptation policies effectively. From an early stage, start identifying and evaluating the diverse funding options available – from EU, national, regional, local and international institutions, the private sector or mixed sources (see examples below for overview of innovative financing mechinisms). This will help you determine later how to fund the adaptation measures in your plan. MIP4Adapt’s guidance, Climate-ADAPT and the EU website for regional and urban development provide an overview of adaptation funding available in the EU. Keep in mind that integrating adaptation into existing sectoral policies (mainstreaming) helps create synergies and minimise costs during implementation (see Step 5.2). More information on funding adaptation is provided under Step 5.3.
Mix of public and private funding for climate adaptation measures, Malmö, Sweden
In Sweden, the city of Malmö leverages private developer funds for climate adaptation by incorporating them into urban development projects, like the redevelopment of its Western Harbour area. Developers cover all construction costs, including public infrastructure (e.g. roads and parks), through plot purchase prices. The city may mobilise additional financing, by seeking national and European public funds to further enhance environmental benefits. This collaborative approach means both private and public resources are directed towards climate adaptation. Stakeholder engagement ensures that urban development aligns with the public interest and the city’s sustainability vision.
Ghent crowdfunding platform promotes climate adaptation through urban greening, Belgium
To address funding challenges and advance community-based climate adaptation initiatives, the city of Ghent in Belgium launched a crowd-funding programme. Citizens can propose ideas and finance them directly via the crowdfunding.gent platform. This model has financed two projects: one encouraging urban farming and the other developing ‘edible streets’. The initiative has successfully engaged stakeholders and ensured the financial viability of community-led projects.
ClimAdaPT.Local, Portugal
The ClimAdaPT.Local project set out to improve Portuguese municipalities’ capacity to integrate climate adaptation into local planning and interventions. The goal was to align with European and national adaptation strategies, focusing on embedding adaptation into local decision-making processes, raising awareness among local stakeholders and providing training on adaptation tools. The project developed 27 local adaptation strategies, produced guidelines and manuals, and established a network of municipalities for local adaptation to climate change. Through extensive training events and activities, it engaged over 2,000 participants and developed resources to support future adaptation efforts. The Norwegian company cCHANGE contributed expertise in training and capacity building for transformative adaptation.
Resources
EU Funding Sources
EU funding Climate-ADAPT: Lists EU funding streams for adaptation.
Financing opportunities: EU Covenant of Mayor's: presents a matrix of funding instruments that can be filtered by country, sector, type, group targeted, project size and co-funding share.
InvestEU Fund: EU financial instrument supporting public and private investments. Guidelines for application are available under ‘How to get financing’.
Resources for preparing funding / financing applications
MIPAdapt's Funding and Financing Guide: Supporting Regional Climate Adaptation: Presents an overview of funding/financing for climate adaptation and presents a roadmap for preparing a successful application.
Green Deal Going Local Handbook European Committee of the Regions (2023): Supports implementation of the European Green Deal. Funding programmes for adaptation and technical assistance resources are presented in Step 5.
EEA’s report Urban Adaptation in Europe: What works? (EEA, 2024): Provides an overview of urban adaptation in Europe, including challenges and approaches to building resilience. Chapter 18 describes the role of funding in climate adaptation planning.
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