The project aims to strengthen the coherence of climate change adaptation actions across Europe. It focuses on improving communication between different levels of governance – from local, through regional and national, up to the European Union level. It also seeks to facilitate navigation within the adaptation policy and practice landscape, identify existing initiatives, and promote the exchange of practical tools for implementing adaptation measures.
The NAH initiative covers 27 EU Member States, with 32 partners from across Europe forming a consortium of research institutions, energy agencies, and organizations involved in climate policy. The project is coordinated by the Regional Energy Agency of Northwest Croatia (REGEA). Through NAH, Member States will be able to learn from one another, analyse best practices, and jointly develop actions to enhance resilience to climate change.
The role of IOŚ-PIB (Institute of Environmental Protection – National Research Institute) will be to establish a National Adaptation Centre (Krajowe Centrum Adaptacji).
“This will be a flexible organizational structure, bringing together representatives of key national, regional, and local authorities, as well as scientific institutions, NGOs, and the business sector”, says Dr Anna Dubel, Project Manager at the Climate Change Adaptation Department.
The Centre will focus on promoting coherence in climate change adaptation efforts, as well as on developing and implementing a programme for cross-regional exchange of knowledge, experience, and cooperation in adaptation. “The work will be supported by the project helpdesk, which will provide expert backing and respond to stakeholders’ needs – for example in the areas of knowledge exchange, identification of good practices, and coordination of activities between countries” – adds Dr Anna Dubel.
The National Adaptation Centre will be aligned with European standards while remaining tailored to national needs. It will draw on existing solutions from adaptation platforms such as Climate-ADAPT, the Adaptive Greece Hub, Italy’s ISPRA (Institute for Environmental Protection and Research), and the Swedish klimatanpassning.se portal.
The National Adaptation Hubs project directly supports the implementation of key European Union climate strategies, including the Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change, the EU Adaptation Strategy, the European Green Deal, and the European Climate Law.
The project is funded under the Horizon Europe programme. The total value of the project is €3,999,987.50, with €83,750 allocated to IOŚ-PIB.