Three Years of Progress: The Mission in Action

As the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change looks ahead to 2026, we look back on the successful completion of the first phase of its Implementation Platform, MIP4Adapt. Over the past three years, MIP4Adapt has supported the Mission in strengthening climate resilience across Europe, helping regional and local authorities to build their climate adaptation pathways by connecting them with European support, knowledge, and investment.   

A Mission operating at scale across Europe 

By the end of 2025, 326 EU regional and local authorities had signed the Mission Charter, committing to strengthening their climate resilience, with many more involved through Mission Projects and the EU Mission Adaptation Community’s activities. 

This commitment is backed by major investment. There are more than 60 Mission Projects funded by Horizon Europe, with a combined budget of over €580 million. These projects are delivering knowledge, tools, and real-world demonstrations to support adaptation planning, implementation, and innovation across Member States. 

Strengthening climate resilience through MIP4Adapt 

MIP4Adapt has been instrumental in translating the Mission’s ambition into action. Through tailored technical assistance, capacity building and knowledge exchange, it has supported adaptation planning, financing and engagement across Europe. 

More than 160 regions and local authorities have received tailored support, with over 125 adaptation plans advanced or completed and more than 120 authorities supported on financing and investment readiness, guided by the Regional Adaptation Support Tool (RAST). 

Knowledge, tools and shared learning 

The Mission Portal has become a central hub of adaptation knowledge for regional and local authorities, bringing together guidance, tools, funding information and practical examples. The Tools Database now includes a curated selection of 20 reliable, up-to-date tools covering all steps of the adaptation planning process. A regularly updated public funding database also helps authorities identify and prepare for EU and national adaptation funding. 

More than 100 Mission Stories, covering most EU countries, showcase real-world solutions to climate impacts such as flooding, drought and extreme heat across sectors, from water management and biodiversity to tourism and land use. 

Building capacity, community and collaboration 

Between 2023 and 2025, MIP4Adapt delivered over 116 events, including three annual Mission Forums and two Regional Forums covering the Mediterranean and the Baltic Sea, training sessions, and matchmaking sessions.  

Across the three Mission Forums, more than 1,000 participants took part online and in person, making them key moments for sharing progress, aligning priorities, and strengthening collaboration between regional and local authorities, Mission Projects, member state facilitators and EU-level actors. 

By the end of 2025, the EU Mission Adaptation Community comprised over 700 participants, including representatives of 326 Charter Signatories, other regional and local authorities, 46 Mission Projects, Friends of the Mission, Member States, and EU-level organisations. 

Six Thematic Working Groups brought together Mission Projects, experts and regional practitioners to focus on engagement, climate services, finance, mitigation–adaptation integration, monitoring and transformational adaptation. Together, they produced six collaborative outputs that help translate research into practical guidance for regional and local authorities. 

Putting citizens and stakeholders at the heart of adaptation 

Citizen and stakeholder engagement has been a defining feature of MIP4Adapt. Alongside training on participatory methods, the DIY Manual on Engaging Stakeholders and Citizens in Climate Adaptation was developed, revised and translated into all 24 EU languages, giving authorities step-by-step guidance on inclusive engagement. 

In 2025 alone, MIP4Adapt supported 134 Community-Level Events (56 for stakeholders and 78 for citizens), helping regional and local authorities to build common understanding commitment and the desire to implement adaptation plans. 

Looking ahead to the next phase 

As we look ahead to the second phase of the Mission Implementation Platform, we will build on this strong foundation, shifting from set-up to delivery. Greater emphasis will be placed on helping regional and local authorities implement, finance and scale adaptation solutions on the ground, supported by new Mission Projects coming online. 

With a growing community, a strong evidence base, and deeper links between local and European action, the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change is well-positioned to continue empowering regional and local authorities to turn adaptation plans into meaningful, lasting resilience.