The EU regional and structural policy programme "Innovation and Skills in Finland 2021–2027" is implemented in Päijät-Häme based on regional strategic priorities. The programme supports innovation, competence development and inclusion in line with sustainable development. The cross-cutting priorities of the programme are sustainable development, gender equality, non-discrimination, digital development, internationalisation, climate change and innovation. These priorities are part of all measures. Of ERDF funding, 35 % is allocated to climate action. In general, the aim of the Priority axis Carbon neutral Finland is to promote energy efficiency, circular economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

In ClimateGO the objective addressed is Priority area 2: Carbon neutral Finland, SO 2.2 'Promoting climate change adaptation, risk prevention, and disaster prevention and resilience'. Climate change adaptation means active preparation for the effects of climate change, anticipation and reduction of the negative effects, and seizing the opportunities created by the positive effects. Adaptation is essential alongside the actions to mitigate climate change. Despite the generally good level of preparedness in society, regions and livelihoods are vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

In addition, SO 2.1. (Promoting energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions) and SO 2.3 (Promoting the transition to a circular economy) also support climate resilience.

The Urban Agenda Alzira was developed in 4 stages, starting with a Diagnosis, followed by a Strategic Planning that resulted in an Action Plan plus an Assessment and Monitoring Plan. To provide an accurate response to the identified challenges (up to 26, e.g., multifunctional mitigation measures to better resist extreme events, fostering a Smart City Strategy with an Open Government, new technologies and TICs, etc.), the Strategic Planning listed 10 Strategic Objectives plus 10 Strategic Action Lines (LEA) that should be developed through 14 projects(PE).

Among them, related to ClimateGO are: LEA1, Green and Blue infrastructures to foster Climate Change Adaptation and resilience; LEA2, Recovery and Evaluation of natural, urban and cultural heritage, that also includes enhancing resilience versus Climate Change plus increasing flexibility and simplification during the management process; LEA5, that focus on Urban Metabolism & Circularity, fostering a knowledge-based society and smart-city development; LEA7, Social Innovation, that entails securing civic engagement and multi-level governance; and finally, LEA10, Public Innovation and Governance enhancement, that will foster climate-smart governance, digital administration plus awareness campaigns. Four of the projects are connected either to smart governance or climate: PE1, Alzira Climate Future; PE2, Green Ring and Future River; PE13, Efficient and Online Government; and PE14, Conecta Alzira, smart and sustainable territory.

The policy instrument aims to provide a long-term framework within which actions will be co-constructed with citizens. The priority of the strategy is to gradually improve the ability of the city and its residents to manage climate crises, and to build shared confidence in collective abilities.

Objectives:
1) To broaden the scope of threats/risks/hazards - for citizens, the regional system and the local authority - that are taken into account beyond major risks (climatic, shortage, institutional, social and organisational risks).
2) Build a strategy that is clear, cross-cutting (not hazard-centric) and user-friendly, which makes it possible to create and/or preserve the ability of citizens and the city to act in difficult situations.
3) To secure the city's capacity to lead the transition (climate neutrality 2040) and the capacity of the region and its citizens to adapt and build a fair and shared future.

The priority is to establish a robust ethical and organisational framework, on which the community can base its actions, with the aim of strengthening the ability of everyone to act, starting with the community's employees. The strategy is charachterized by being based on an operational diagnosis jointly developed with the city departments. It contains territorial cooperation at various levels, in order to improve governance on key issues. Co-construction of actions are planned to be carried out with citizens in order to act in a relevant and efficient manner.

The strategic areas:
1. Treatment of municipal waste and associated services
2. Use of processed construction and demolitionl waste and soil in urban construction
3. Managing supluss heat and renewable energy
4. Sustainable mobility - Urban transport and joint service
5. Reuse of recycled water and alternative water resources
6. Sustainable management of land and regeneration of degraded areas
7. Cooperating economy network

The strategy's main goal is closing the loops in the territory. While most of the focus contribute to climate change mitigation through circular economy, only area 4 and 6 mentions adaptation. Area 4 focuses on smart water economy where it is highlighted that available aquatic resources (including water on the surface, underground water, wastewater and purified water) need to be managed wisely in order to increase resistance to climate change. Area mentions protection against negative effects of climate change.

In adition to climate change mitigation through circular economy we have to improve the implementation in a way to also address adapting to climate change that is affecting our city and region. We must with every implemented project build infrastructure for future challenges that weather and climate shift have already presented.

WCYCLE Institute merged in 2021 with Regional development agency for Podravje - Maribor where we continue to work on Strategy implementation with additional work to bring it up to regional level.

The objective of the Programme of Landscape Renewal for the Košice Region is to strengthen preparedness for climate change adaptation and climate-smart and resilient governance. This is currently done through annual Action plans.

The current action plan consists of 3 main activities:
1. Management, communication and obtaining new information and fundings
2. Increasing the awareness and motivation of stakeholders
3. Pilot solutions

The aim is for the actors to implement measures in their territory that will contribute to the climate change adaptation e.g. to increase biodiversity and to increase the ecological stability of the territory.

The Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality by 2040 has set a target of reducing the carbon emissions. Action 165 of the Government’s Climate Action Plan 2019, required Local Authorities to identify and develop plans for one Decarbonising Zone. Waterford City was designated as the Decarbonising Zone for County Waterford (an exemplar area where different technologies and methods are used to mitigate against and prepare for climate change), and the Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality by 2040 is the strategy for meeting the goal of Waterford City becoming a Decarbonising Zone.

The Roadmap identifies the actions that must be taken by all in Waterford – public sector, business and by citizens, it sets out the mechanisms for delivery and the stakeholders that must be involved. The target areas are Carbon Neutral Businesses, Carbon Neutral Homes, Carbon Neutral Travel, Sustainable Consumption, Developing Renewable Energy Resources and Increasing Resilience. This project focuses especially on increasing resilience.

The mechanisms for delivery are identified but much more work needs to be done to put in place effective Climate Governance amongst all decision makers in the city, both in the private and public sector. There also must be detailed indicators produced to show progress. So far, progress has been limited in delivering the goals of the Roadmap due to a lack of Climate Governance and joined up action amongst decision makers in the city. Through this project we will address that.