Think globally, act locally: How the Adaptation AGORA project empowers citizens to combat climate change

However, these weren't climate scientists or policymakers, but citizens from diverse professional backgrounds who shared a common concern: how climate change is impacting their city, their communities, and their lives. 

This workshop, focused on understanding the unique perspectives of working women and commuters, is just one example of how the Adaptation AGORA project is revolutionising climate change adaptation by putting communities at the heart of the action.

Climate change is the most pressing issue of our time. The science is clear, the impacts are already being felt, and the future looks bleak if we don't take drastic action. According to data from the World Health Organisation (WHO), 3,600 million people already live in areas highly vulnerable to climate change. 

It’s projected that, between 2030 and 2050, climate change will cause an additional 250,000 deaths each year solely due to malnutrition, malaria, diarrhoea, and heat stress.

Despite the wealth of data and scientific consensus, however, translating this knowledge into tangible action remains a significant challenge. How do we ensure that everyone, from policymakers to the average citizen, understands the importance of climate adaptation and feels empowered to contribute? 

Let’s look at how the Adaptation AGORA project is tackling this challenge head-on, bridging the gap between complex climate science and community action.

Funded by the European Union, Adaptation AGORA project is a three-year initiative that aims to empower communities to take action through co-creation, knowledge sharing, and active citizen participation. It also works to engage regions in meaningful climate efforts that promote democracy, climate justice, gender equality and equity. 

At the heart of this project is the belief that climate change solutions should be co-created with the communities they are designed to serve. Cities and local and regional governments are the first to be impacted by climate change but are also leading the charge when it comes to transformation, adaptation, and mitigation. Supporting and empowering them is crucial for national governments to reach their targets. 

With this in mind, Adaptation AGORA is piloting innovative citizen engagement methodologies in four diverse European regions: Rome in Italy, Zaragoza in Spain, Dresden in Germany and Malmö in Sweden. These pilots are testing different approaches to involving citizens in the design and implementation of climate adaptation strategies. Some examples of this are the focus groups conducted in Italy and the climate dialogues in Dresden.

Other regions, associations, organisations, and institutions can join Adaptation AGORA as followers, expanding the community beyond the four pilot areas and benefiting from the project's results to support the climate change adaptation process across Europe.

The goal is to create solutions that are not only effective but also locally relevant and sustainable. By giving communities a voice in the process, Adaptation AGORA is helping to build a sense of ownership and empowerment, which is essential for long-term success.

Co-creation is not just a buzzword; it's a transformative approach that can empower communities to take charge of their sustainable future. By fostering collaboration, inclusivity, and innovation, co-creation can unlock the full potential of collective action in the face of climate change.

Co-creation in the context of developing measures to tackle climate change is proven to have advantages like:

1. Co-creation ensures inclusive decision-making, reflecting the needs and values of the entire community by including diverse perspectives.

2. By involving citizens early in the process, co-creation fosters trust between the community and public officials, crucial for effective collaboration.

3. This approach ensures the equitable distribution of benefits among all community members, preventing the concentration of benefits among a select few.

4. Co-creation empowers citizens and gives them a sense of ownership, encouraging active participation and leadership in the transition to sustainable solutions.

5. By incorporating local knowledge and expertise, co-creation leads to socially legitimate solutions that are more accepted and supported by the community.

6. The iterative nature of co-creation allows for ongoing dialogue and adaptation, making solutions more resilient and responsive to changing needs.

7. Local authorities and community organisations play crucial roles in facilitating dialogue and ensuring the integration of various stakeholder perspectives into policies and projects.

Technology plays a crucial role in education and engagement in today's digital age. AGORA leverages this by providing a suite of digital tools designed to make climate action more accessible:

Adaptation AGORA Community Hub: This dynamic online platform allows stakeholders, scientists, experts, media, and citizens to network, share experiences, and find solutions to climate adaptation challenges. It’s a living environment that fosters collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Digital Academies: Two academies focus on climate data usage and combating climate disinformation. They provide high-quality, open-source information and training, empowering citizens and stakeholders to make informed decisions.

Digital Handbook: An interactive platform compiling lessons learned, reports, and knowledge integration processes from the project. It will be available by December 2025, offering a comprehensive resource for future adaptation initiatives.

Mobile App: A gamified app to educate citizens on climate adaptation and counter disinformation. The app aims to make learning engaging and interactive, encouraging sustainable behavioural patterns.

To achieve this, it is essential to know how to communicate climate change information to society and use methodologies that allow the information to be tailored to people’s different realities. For instance, the impact of a heatwave on the citizens of Rome in Italy is not the same as on the city of Zaragoza, Spain.

Sharing best practices that work well in different places is critical, as it helps ensure that successful strategies can be replicated and adapted elsewhere. By creating a network of informed and engaged communities, AGORA is building a more resilient and adaptable Europe, better equipped to face the challenges of climate change.

Adaptation AGORA isn’t just about giving people a voice; it's about encouraging them to take action. The project is fostering active citizen participation through various initiatives, including workshops, training sessions, and community events.

Citizen participation is vital in combating climate change, as it empowers communities and ensures that environmental policies reflect public needs. Engaged individuals foster transparency, accountability, and innovative solutions through diverse perspectives and local knowledge. 

According to information from the Distance State University of Costa Rica (UNED), some strategies to encourage this participation are:

1. Implementing educational programmes that inform the community about the effects of climate change and the actions they can take, including workshops, talks, and practical activities that promote sustainability, enhances environmental education.

2. Encouraging the formation of social groups and movements that advocate for climate policies, which can organise protests, awareness campaigns, and lobbying efforts to demand more robust actions from governments, fosters social movements.

3. Promoting the establishment of local initiatives, such as community gardens, recycling programmes, and renewable energy projects, helps mitigate climate change while also strengthening social cohesion.

4. Collaborating with NGOs and other organisations working in the field of climate change to develop joint projects that involve citizens in the planning and execution of strategies ensures effective cooperation with organisations.

5. Establishing effective communication channels between the government and citizens, where proposals can be presented, questions raised, and feedback received on environmental policies, includes community forums and digital platforms.


To learn more about the different communication channels and methods available, check out our free guide.


The Adaptation AGORA project fosters a network of engaged citizens across Europe, each contributing their unique perspectives and experiences to the collective effort of climate adaptation. 

The project's success hinges on the active participation of individuals like those seven women in Rome, who are not just passive recipients of climate policies but active co-creators of a more resilient future. Their voices, and the voices of countless others across the continent, are shaping a new narrative of climate action, one that is rooted in collaboration, knowledge sharing, and community empowerment.


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