D5.6 Events promoting ownership of solutions

Events promoting ownership of solutions Deliverable 5.6 Accelerating and upscaling transformational adaptation in Europe: demonstration of water-related innovation packages This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon H2020 innovation action programme under grant agreement 101036683. TransformAr Deliverable 5.6 2 www.transformar.eu Deliverable Number and Name D5.6 – Events promoting ownership of solutions Work Package WP5 – Accelerating demonstrators transformational adaptation Dissemination Level Public Author(s) Giles Rickard (WRT) Contributors Amaya Soto (CETMAR), Andrea Ogando (UVIGO), Pauline Guérécheau-Desvignes (ADEME), Manuela Puddu (MEDSEA), Francesca Etzi (MEDSEA), Evrydiki Pavlidi (MOG), Sanna Varis (LAPP) Primary Contact and Email Giles Rickard [email protected] Date Due 30/09/2025 (M6) Date Submitted 25/09/2025 File Name TransformAr-WP5-D5.6-v1-01-09-2025.docx Status Final Reviewed by (if applicable) Jan Cools (UA) Suggested citation G. Rickard et al. (2025) Events promoting ownership of solutions. TransformAr Deliverable 5.6, H2020 grant no. 101036683 © TransformAr Consortium, 2021 This deliverable contains original unpublished work except when indicated otherwise. Acknowledgement of previously published material and of the work of others has been made through appropriate citation, quotation, or both. Reproduction is authorised if the source is acknowledged. This document has been prepared in the framework of the European project TransformAr. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 innovation action programme under grant agreement no. 101036683. TransformAr Deliverable 5.6 3 www.transformar.eu The sole responsibility for the content of this publication lies with the authors. It does not necessarily represent the opinion of the European Union. Neither the EASME nor the European Commission are responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein. TransformAr Deliverable 5.6 4 www.transformar.eu TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................... 5 1.0 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................. 6 2.0 DEMONSTRATOR EVENT SUMMARIES .................................................... 6 1.1 WRT Westcountry Region, UK demonstrator – East Devon Resilience event ............................................................................................... 6 1.2 CETMAR Galicia demonstrator ...................................................... 10 1.3 MEDSEA - Sardinia demonstrator ................................................. 14 1.4 Lappeenranta – Finland Demonstrator .......................................... 15 1.5 ADEME – Guadeloupe Demonstrator ............................................. 18 1.6 City of Egaleo – Athens Demonstrator ........................................... 21 3.0 CONCLUSION .................................................................................... 28 TABLES No table of figures entries found. TransformAr Deliverable 5.6 5 www.transformar.eu EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Focus of this Deliverable Ownership of solutions were promoted in the different demonstrators predominantly through events and workshops with stakeholders, including landowners, community groups and local authorities. A pattern here was that engagement and ownership around the solutions was often best when there was early and continued engagement with stakeholders through the development phase of solutions. The final events provide a good opportunity to showcase delivered solutions with more meaningful examples that can be shared with key stakeholders and to wider communities, to raise awareness and build ownership. The variation in engagement across the demonstrators highlights the benefit of a flexible approach, so that engagement and ownership can be bespoke to the region. For some solutions and regions local authorities are the key owner of solutions going forward, whereas in other regions, engaging businesses and a range of stakeholders at different levels is key. TransformAr Deliverable 5.6 6 www.transformar.eu 1.0 Introduction Focus of this Deliverable The D5.6 report is intended to evidence and briefly review the events promoting the ownership of solutions by the different demonstrators. These were designed to promote the solutions to wider, landowners' community groups and local authorities to increase their continued uptake. Deliverable contents There is no specific reporting required through this deliverable; however, the document provides a place to evidence these events in the demonstrators such as photos, agenda’s and the talks/items covered. 2.0 Demonstrator Event Summaries 1.1 WRT Westcountry Region, UK demonstrator – East Devon Resilience event The East Devon Resilience event was run on the 2nd of August and provided a showcase opportunity to present on TransformAr and other related resilience action in the area linked to WRT. There was also the opportunity for a local community group to present on the work they are doing locally. This provided the opportunity to bring in a wider audience and sets of stakes holders, particularly active community groups active in the area. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/east-devon-resilience-showcase-tickets1490831750899?aff=oddtdtcreator TransformAr Deliverable 5.6 7 www.transformar.eu East Devon Resilience event Agenda Overview of Activity After arrival and introductions TransformAr was presented first, with Giles Rickard presenting on project findings including updated climate change scenarios looking forward, the Nature based solutions utilized and identified though the co-creation workshops, an update on nutrient neutrality and how it may be able to fund adaption going forward. There was also an overview of the bankability work and potential investment models designed through D5.3. This was followed by a summary of the key findings from TransformAr. Francis Rowney and Finely Gibson from University of Exeter presented on the Enforce project and covered the role satellite imagery to identify potential areas of soil erosion and risk and how tracing sources of sediment loss and erosion can be used to bring about water quality and flow improvements. Emily Hobson-Martin presented on the Rivers Run Through Us (RRTU) which is a lottery funded and community focused project, looking into the history of the river and the changes in land use and river type of the years. It also highlight the restoration work that is planned including management of invasive weeds such as Himalayan balsam. TransformAr Deliverable 5.6 8 www.transformar.eu Vicky Whitworth then presented from Kit Brook River Restoration about the work they have delivered as a local community group and ongoing water quality monitoring that they have undertaken to help identify river health and potential sources of pollution. For the afternoon part of the event, after lunch and networking a carousel session was set up so that attendees could spend 15 minutes with each speaker, each of which had a set of materials and posters on the table including printed photos to discuss project findings and solutions. This enabled stakeholder to ask more detailed questions and have more in-depth discussions. TransformAr presentation highlights TransformAr Deliverable 5.6 9 www.transformar.eu TransformAr Deliverable 5.6 16 www.transformar.eu municipality-owned stormwater network. However, the citizen application (CAF) and choice experiment survey (CEI), can be implemented and maintained by other actors, and NBS solutions can also be used in private areas. It has also been recognized that residents and private property owners play a significant role in stormwater management in urban areas: actions and stormwater treatment are also needed on private plots to avoid water quality issues in water bodies and overloading of the stormwater sewer system. In Lappeenranta, the promotion of the solutions has focused on two perspectives: providing residents and other stakeholders with information about climate change adaptation and the solutions implemented to address it, such as NBS, SWMM and CAF as well as utilizing all the knowledge produced in the project (CEI and other results) to develop the services offered by the city and its internal operations. Events organized by the city of Lappeenranta: DATE EVENT PARTICI PANTS PURPOSE 2/11/202327/5/2024 A total of 5 workshops with stakeholders to explore local climate vulnerability, define solutions, adaptation pathways and an action plan for the city approx. 10 in each Determine the climate perspective of local actors, challenges they face, and existing solutions to overcome these challenges. To explore climate vulnerability, impacts and projections. To create vision, solutions and way forward (Construction of Adaptation Pathways). Validation of preferred pathways per KCS and developing adaptation Action Plan. 29/08/2024 Open Day for citizens and other stakeholders 150 Launching citizen application (CAF). Showcasing solutions implemented: organizing guided tours in NBS area, demonstrating real-time monitoring of stormwater quality and providing guidance on citizen science. 26/05/2025 Workshop: market validation, bankability & governance scenarios 11 Market validation of solutions implemented in TransformAr. Reflection on bankability report results. Exploring governance scenarios for NBS. 19/08/2025 Citizen workshop 15 Workshop based on CEI results (willingness to pay): how can citizens start preparing climate change adaptation in their own yard. The aim was to gather citizens' views on the effects of climate change, particularly from the perspective of stormwater risks relevant to residents and private plot owners. To brainstorm ideas on what residents can do to adapt to and prepare for climate change, as well as what support they need from the city. 28/08/2025 Lappeenranta Tänään! (Lappeenranta Today!) 150 Promotion of citizen application (CAF). TransformAr Deliverable 5.6 17 www.transformar.eu annual stakeholder & citizen event 24/09/2025 Consultation workshop 10 To discuss the ownership of solutions and the need for cooperation, e.g. between different departments of the city, to implement and maintain the solutions. Picture from the citizen workshop 19/08/2025, organized by the city of Lappeenranta. TransformAr Deliverable 5.6 18 www.transformar.eu 1.5 ADEME – Guadeloupe Demonstrator The Guadeloupe demonstrator organized several events and workshops with local stakeholders to promote the solutions and support their continuation beyond the project. DATE EVENT PARTICIPANTS PURPOSE 28/11/2022 & 30/11/2022 Workshop: Adaptation of Guadeloupean Agriculture to Climate Change: Perceptions, Impacts, and Solutions 11 11 The first workshop brought together professionals/farmers from the Guadeloupean agricultural sector, while the second engaged institutional stakeholders from the sector. The objective was to identify the main risks faced by agriculture in Guadeloupe and to develop adaptation pathways that will guide the solutions developed as part of TransformAr. The report of the workshop is available on TransformAr website. 08/12/2022 & 09/12/2022 Workshop: Adaptation of Guadeloupean Tourism to Climate Change: Perceptions, Impacts, and Solutions 12 8 The first workshop brought together operators from the Guadeloupean tourism sector, while the second engaged sectoral experts. The objective was to identify the main risks faced by tourism in Guadeloupe and to develop adaptation pathways that will inform the solutions designed within the TransformAr project. The report of the workshop is available on TransformAr website. 07/04/2023 Workshop: Financing Climate Change 11 Workshop bringing together stakeholders from the tourism and agriculture sectors to assess the financial landscape of climate change adaptation in these two sectors and to outline the TransformAr Deliverable 5.6 19 www.transformar.eu Adaptation in Guadeloupe establishment of a Local adaptation fund in Guadeloupe. The report of the workshop is available on TransformAr website. 17/09/2024 Open Day: Agriculture and Tourism Facing Climate Change: How to Finance, How to Raise Awareness 38 The conference provided an interim assessment and explored the long-term sustainability of the Local Adaptation Fund in the agricultural sector. Open Day video 22/05/2025 Consultation Workshop: Financing adaptation for a resilient Guadeloupe: What future for the AF? 21 On May 22, at the initiative of ADEME, stakeholders from the agricultural and tourism sectors in Guadeloupe met to review the lessons learned from the AF, one and a half years after its launch on the archipelago. The Consultation workshop played a key role in reinforcing the ownership of Guadeloupean solutions, especially the AF. The meeting opened with the presentation of three projects funded by the AF – RESAFOR, PLUVARIDE, and PORC CRÉOLE – illustrating the diversity of supported initiatives. TransformAr Deliverable 5.6 20 www.transformar.eu Two participatory workshops then allowed for deeper discussions: • Workshop 1: Development of a SWOT matrix of the AF, in order to identify its strengths and areas for improvement. • Workshop 2: Building on the previous discussions, two key questions were explored: o What process should be considered to evolve towards a one-stop shop? o How can stakeholder involvement in the AF scheme be strengthened? The outcome-based summary of the workshop is available on TransformAr’s website. TransformAr Deliverable 5.6 21 www.transformar.eu 1.6 City of Egaleo – Athens Demonstrator Overview of Activities Promoting Ownership of Solutions Throughout the TransformAr project, the Municipality of Egaleo in partnership with NCSR “Demokritos” actively engaged local communities, youth, educators, and stakeholders in activities designed to promote the ownership of adaptation solutions. The emphasis was on educational engagement, public awareness, and inclusive co-design workshops. A set of distinct and complementary events were organised to present the implemented solutions (Smart Climate Stations, Demand for Social Services Assessment, Awareness-raising educational programmes, and the Climate Innovation Hub) and invite feedback and participation from the local community. These events focused on fostering understanding of climate-related vulnerabilities and encouraging community-driven contributions to adaptation planning. Key Events Supporting Solution Ownership Event 1: TransformAr Workshop: Development of a Shared Vision and Socio-Economic Pathways for a Climate-Resilient Future Date: 10 October 2022 Location: Participation and Innovation Hub, Municipality of Egaleo Number of Participants: 17 Organizers: Municipality of Egaleo (MoE) & NCSRD “Demokritos” Purpose of the event: The workshop was organized as part of Task 3.3 of the TransformAr project to engage local stakeholders in co-developing a shared vision for climate adaptation. The event aimed to identify key climate hazards and vulnerabilities affecting the Municipality of Egaleo and initiate discussions on socio-economic pathways and viable solutions for a resilient future. Agenda Highlights: • Introduction to TransformAr and its objectives • Group exercises on climate risks, vulnerabilities, and potential solutions • Stakeholder presentations from the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Education, ASDA, NECCA, schools, and social services • Polling exercise on future visions and priorities • Discussion on regional collaboration and the integration of nature-based solutions (NBS) Solutions Presented / Discussed: • Nature-Based Solutions (NBS): Green infrastructure for water retention and urban cooling • Heatwave mitigation: Use of cool materials, building insulation, and expansion of green spaces TransformAr Deliverable 5.6 22 www.transformar.eu • Social infrastructure adaptation: Focus on vulnerable populations such as elderly, children, refugees • Water management: Rainwater harvesting, awareness campaigns on water use and scarcity • Educational and awareness-raising measures: Targeted actions for students and teachers Outcomes and Key Messages: • Heatwaves, floods, and droughts identified as the most pressing hazards. • Stakeholders prioritized NBS and community engagement as key adaptation measures. • Strong emphasis on the need for collaboration between municipalities and regional authorities. • A shared understanding was built around the vulnerabilities of schools, elderly homes, and social services to extreme weather events. • The workshop laid the groundwork for future co-implementation activities, feeding directly into the city’s adaptation vision. Photographic material Event 2: Adaptation Action Plan Development Workshop Date: 9 July 2024 Location: Climate Innovation Hub, Municipality of Egaleo Organised by: Municipality of Egaleo & NCSR “Demokritos” Number of Participants: 13 Type: Co-Design & Participatory Planning Workshop Purpose of the event: This workshop was part of Task 3.5, focusing on the development of the local adaptation action plan. It brought together municipal departments (civil protection, planning, transparency, police, social services), local schools, technical experts, and research institutions. The workshop included detailed presentations of alternative adaptation pathways for Health and Infrastructure, discussion of their transformative potential, and co-development of a feasible and participatory implementation roadmap. Key Outcomes: • Agreement on the “blue pathway” as the preferred option for both Health and Infrastructure, given its practicality and stakeholder support. • Stakeholder validation of the transformative adaptation vision, with specific local priorities identified (e.g., schoolyard greening, support for homeless populations, improved transportation routes, humidity control in buildings). TransformAr Deliverable 5.6 23 www.transformar.eu • Consensus on the need for stronger inter-departmental collaboration, prioritisation of naturebased solutions (NBS), and enhanced citizen engagement. • Action plan formulation with clearly stated needs (funding, monitoring, cross-department support). Contributions to ownership: Participants actively shaped the proposed adaptation solutions, prioritised feasible measures, and expressed commitment to remain involved in future stages. Strong emphasis was placed on connecting implementation to real local needs (e.g., municipal infrastructure, vulnerable groups, school safety). The workshop empowered local actors to align their efforts under a shared climate adaptation vision. Photographic material Event 3: Open Green Day Date: 4 June 2024 Location: Climate Innovation Hub, Municipality of Egaleo Organizers: Municipality of Egaleo (MoE), NCSR “Demokritos” Number of participants: 30 local citizens and students Purpose of the event: The Open Green Day was designed as a community event to present the TransformAr adaptation solutions implemented in Egaleo and to promote climate awareness through educational and participatory activities. A strong emphasis was placed on youth engagement and the involvement of local schools. Activities and outcomes: • Presentation of the main TransformAr solutions deployed in Egaleo, including smart climate stations, citizen engagement apps, demand analysis for social services, and climate education initiatives. • Participation of local students who presented environmental projects developed during the school year, showcasing data-driven responses to local climate threats (e.g. droughts, heatwaves). • Organisation of a student hackathon, during which young participants worked in teams to co-design solutions for addressing climate challenges in Egaleo. TransformAr Deliverable 5.6 24 www.transformar.eu • Presentation by NCSR “Demokritos” on past and projected climate risks in the area, including temperature trends and urban vulnerabilities. • The event contributed to strengthening environmental awareness among younger generations and fostering a sense of climate responsibility. Follow-up and local impact: The Open Green Day established a strong connection between the TransformAr project and school-led climate action. By giving visibility to student work and including their voices in public discussions on climate adaptation, the event created momentum for continued engagement with youth as active agents of change. It also reinforced the Climate Innovation Hub's role as a participatory learning space for local citizens. Photographic material Event 4. Presentation of Smart Climate Stations (SCS) – RockTheBlock Event Date: 18 October 2024 Location: Climate Innovation Hub, Municipality of Egaleo Organizers: Municipality of Egaleo & NCSR Demokritos Participants: 25 Format: In-person workshop and demonstration Purpose of the event: This event focused on the presentation of the Smart Climate Stations (SCS) deployed in Εgaleo under the TransformAr project. The aim was to demonstrate how the SCS network functions and how it contributes to the monitoring of local microclimate conditions, particularly in the context of increasing heatwaves and urban heat island (UHI) effects. The event was co-organised by the Municipality of Egaleo and its technical partner NCSRD (Demokritos), and took place within the broader framework of the RockTheBlock project activities. Agenda Highlights: • Introduction to the TransformAr project TransformAr Deliverable 5.6 25 www.transformar.eu • Overview of Smart Climate Stations (data types, locations, objectives) • Live demonstration of real-time microclimatic data • Interactive discussion on integrating SCS data into municipal planning and the RockTheBlock energy retrofitting strategy Key Outcomes: • Strong interest from citizens in the accessibility and use of live climate data • Identification of synergies between SCS and building retrofitting solutions under RockTheBlock • Expert feedback on the potential integration of SCS data into urban resilience planning tools • Commitment by local authorities to explore expansion of the SCS network Photographic material: Event 5: Participation in the Annual Climate Pact Event (Brussels, 18–19 March 2025) Date: 18–19 March 2025 Location: Brussels, Belgium Organisers: European Commission – European Climate Pact Number of participants: 500+ participants from across Europe Purpose of the event: The Annual Climate Pact Event titled “Together in Action” brought together climate ambassadors, stakeholders, and EU-funded projects to share progress, engage in collaborative dialogue, and explore new pathways for local and regional climate action. The event offered a platform for reflection on how to scale up citizen and stakeholder engagement in climate adaptation. Activities and outcomes: • The Municipality of Egaleo was invited to participate in a high-level panel discussion titled "Regional perspectives on engaging stakeholders and citizens in climate adaptation planning and implementation", alongside representatives of other European initiatives.