European Urban Resilience Forum (EURESFO 2026)
The 13th edition of the European Urban Resilience Forum (EURESFO) will take place from 17 to 19 June 2026 in Guimarães, Portugal. As a long-standing and influential European initiative, EURESFO has, since 2013, brought together city representatives, experts, and stakeholders from across local and regional institutions to exchange knowledge and advance action on climate resilience.
Hosted by ICLEI Europe, the European Environment Agency (EEA), and the City of Guimarães — European Green Capital 2026 — this year’s forum is co-organised by Climate KIC, and will explore integrated approaches to climate resilience that go beyond adaptation. It will focus on how cities can address complex, interconnected challenges through more systemic and inclusive strategies.
EURESFO 2026 will maintain its distinctive “PowerPoint-free” format, creating an open and interactive environment that encourages dialogue, peer learning, and the sharing of practical experiences. Participants will engage with key topics including climate change adaptation, disaster risk management, and the implementation of urban resilience strategies.
The event will take place at the Pavilhão Multiusos de Guimarães.
Climate KIC at EURESFO 2026
As a co-organiser of EURESFO 2026, Climate KIC will contribute to the broader conference discussions on climate resilience and systems transformation across a range of sessions and topics. We will present insights and activities from our key projects under the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change, such as Pathways2Resilience, DesirMED, NBRACER, Arcadia and BLOSSOM. We will also be present at different stands at the Marketplace – come say hi!
17 June
Regional climate resilience and adaptation pathways: lessons learnt and policy insights from on the ground experience
17 June, 13:30 – 15:15, Sala 1
This interactive workshop will bring together European cities and regions to exchange experiences on turning climate resilience strategies into action. Through thematic discussions structured around the key building blocks of the resilience journey, participants will explore how to enable a just transition, develop effective pathways, strengthen adaptation governance, foster effective implementation and learning, and translate and align with EU-level climate risk insights.
The MEL clinic: diagnosing and strengthening regional and local learning systems
17 June, 13:30 – 15:15
This interactive workshop explores how Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) systems can be used as a foundational tool to help cities and regions transform tangible, local action that can be sustained and improved over time. The session will provide examples of best practices from various regions participating in the Pathways2Resilience, UNDERPIN and CARDIMED projects on how MEL can respond to common challenges and also support in maximising adaptation opportunities.
By the end of the session, participants will have gained concrete ideas and inspiration on how to make MEL useful on their daily work, using it as a tool to support more effective, flexible and resilient local development.
Homes for all in a changing climate
17 June, 13:30 – 15:15, Pitch stage
Ensuring just and climate-resilient communities requires a fundamental transformation in how we design, build, and manage our homes and cities – from reducing emissions and promoting circular material use to embracing architectural approaches that integrate nature-based solutions to mitigate heat and manage water. Municipalities play a key role in shaping development through zoning regulations and long-term urban strategies that support both affordability and resilience. Through concrete examples and open discussion, cities and experts will share practical lessons and approaches for embedding resilience into affordable housing.
18 June
Winning the climate narrative: disinformation, trust, and the politics of resilience
18 June, 13:30 – 15:15, Sala 1
Who controls the climate story? Climate resilience is hindered by gaps between scientific knowledge and public understanding, worsened by declining trust in media and rising disinformation. Coverage is often reactive, fragmented, and disconnected from communities. Resilience communication must become continuous, local, and trust-based, strengthening preparedness, accountability, and long-term public engagement.
The session highlights three key challenges: improving the quality and integrity of climate information, strengthening institutional and political conditions for credible communication, and rebuilding public trust. It emphasizes the need for continuous, people-centered communication across all phases of climate events, integrating expert knowledge with local experience.
Financing climate resilience: bridging pathways, projects, and investment
18 June, 13:30 – 15:15, Sala 2
This workshop explores how cities and regions can move from climate risk assessments and adaptation pathways toward bankable resilience investments. Drawing on experiences from Pathways2Resilience, CLIMATEFIT, NetZeroCities and BLOSSOM, and building on the Climate City Capital Hub and EIB’s investment expertise, it will highlight practical steps such as project identification, costing, bankability assessment, investment structuring, and stakeholder engagement. The session aims to identify solutions to bridge the gap between resilience planning and finance through interactive exchange among participating stakeholders.
Learn more about our work on climate adaptation and resilience, and the programmes we lead under the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change.
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