Programme

Moderator – Attila Ádám Nagy, Group leader, Vas County Disaster Management Directorate

• Planning for Resilience: Insights into climate risks and adaptation policy instruments in Europe – Angelika Tamásová, Expert of the European Environment Agency

As climate extremes intensify, Europe faces growing risks that demand stronger action and smarter planning. This presentation will share fresh insights from Europe’s Environment – 2025, the first European Climate Risk Assessment, and the latest reporting on how countries are planning and acting on adaptation. Together, we will explore what progress is being made, where the gaps remain, and how Europe can build resilience more effectively at every governance level.

• Urban climate modeling at the HungaroMet Hungarian Meteorological Service – Lilla Duics-Korosecz, HungaroMet Hungarian Meteorological Service

In the presentation, we highlight the importance of urban climate modelling, with a focus on expected changes in Budapest and Szeged. We will also present the KLIMADAT database, HungaroMet’s own system for exploring Hungary’s future climate.

• Resilience building in the Czech Republic – Iva Brejzova, Head of Integrated Rescue System and Humanitarian Aid Department, MoI-DG Fire Rescue Service of the Czech Republic

The presentation will address resilience building in the Czech Republic with a focus on climate adaptation, cross-border risks, and community preparedness. It will highlight the LOCALIENCE project as an example of how municipalities and state authorities can work together to strengthen resilience at the local level.

• Introducing the recommended heatwave vulnerability assessment framework for the LIFE COOL ZONE project – Gábor Kiss, Anett Kocsis, HungaroMet Hungarian Meteorological Service

The presentation will introduce the heatwave vulnerability assessment framework based on NAGiS methodology model to be used in the LIFE COOL ZONE project. Furthermore, the spatially differentiated application of this vulnerability assessment will be presented together with its expected results in the project.

• Managing extreme weather events caused by climate change and cross-border cooperation – showcasing practical solutions and decision-support tools – Attila Ádám Nagy, Group leader, Vas County Disaster Management Directorate

A short indication about the importance of the topic, followed by some statistic data to help the understanding of the severity of extreme weather phenomena.

Potential response steps on the regional level.

International network of the Hungarian Disaster Management (UN, EU, NATO).

Importance of interregional level (cross border) cooperation.

Exemples of cross-border cooperation from Vas County: SI-HU-A, Interreg Central Europe – LOCALIENCE

Q&A

Moderator – David Thomas, Senior Land Advisor and Director of South West Natural Solutions

• Building Catchment Resilience at the field scale – Nature-based Solutions & Natural Flood Management – David Thomas, Senior Land Advisor and Director of South West Natural Solutions

 Using case studies we will examine Natural Flood Management & Nature-based solutions in action and share lessons learned during the delivery phase – translating model & design into reality to create multi-objective climate adaptation schemes. The use of drones & modelling software also provides technological advantages in quantifying scheme outcomes and we shall explore their application in the field in guiding & informing practical application in pursuit of wetland creation and stream restoration. The case study showcased delivers on NFM, climate adaptation, catchment resilience, habitat creation, water quality improvement and positive reinforcement of local ecosystems.

• The climate mitigation role of floodplain restorations along the River Tisza in Hungary – Szilvia Ádám, PhD., Regional Freshwater Programme Officer, WWF-CEE

This study focuses on the climate regulation role of floodplain restoration as a nature-based solution that is beneficial not only for climate adaptation but also for mitigation.

• Implemented NBS solutions in city of Pula Karmela Maren and Antonija Babić, City of Pula

We would like to outline how the city of Pula, Croatia, is using Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) to address urban challenges, particularly urban flooding. We would like to highlights the city’s commitment to sustainable urban development and climate adaptation. Starting with Concept of stormwater drainage management of the City of Pula to implementation of small scale neiborhood NBS solutions and big scale project that are throughout the city.

• Building climate resilience in hilly catchments: the experience of Szilágyi and Gombás catchments (pilot area of LIFE LOGOS 4 WATERS project) – Krisztián Mészáros, project coordinator, Municipality of Püspökszilágy

In my presentation I will share our experiences with nature-based interventions such as log dams, brushwood hedges, and small reservoirs. I will also highlight how these measures help us tackle both floods and droughts while fostering cooperation and community ownership.  

• A nature-made solution for water retention: beaver impact – Erika Juhász PhD, Researcher, Centre for Ecological Reasearch

Beavers support the restoration of former wetland habitats by building of dams, thus they help us to gain knowledge about the forgotten, original functioning of watercourses. However, diverse human-nature conflicts may arise in the human-altered landscapes following the return of the ecosystem engineer species.

Q&A

Moderator – Noémi Dálnoky, Programme Manager, Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy, European Commission

• Towards Cleaner Air: Key Outcomes of the LIFE IP HungAIRy Project – Barbara Petra Bezegh, Head of Department, Project Lead, HungaroMet Hungarian Meteorological Service

The LIFE IP HungAIRy project, coordinated by HungaroMet Nonprofit Kft., runs from 2019 to 2026 aiming to improve air quality in ten Hungarian municipalities across eight regions. The project supports the regular renewal and biannual revision of local air quality plans by developing detailed emissions databases and a high-resolution decision-support and air quality modeling tool, ATMO-Plan. An eco-manager network enhances local capacity by coordinating measures, raising awareness, and assisting plan updates. Pilot actions address emissions from residential heating, traffic, and agriculture, complemented by new monitoring infrastructure and communication campaigns. The project actively promotes knowledge-sharing nationally and internationally and monitors its environmental, social, and economic impacts to foster sustainable urban air quality management.

• Water retention across the landscape: experiences and challenges in the Kalocsa-Sárköz Basin (pilot area of LIFE LOGOS 4 WATERS project) – Fruzsina Markó, project coordinator, Municipality of Bátya

 In my presentation I will share our experiences with nature-based interventions such as log dams, and small reservoirs. I will also highlight how these measures help us tackle both floods and droughts while fostering cooperation and community ownership.  

• Development of Zugló Green infrastructure Action plan -the process and the results and the citizen engagement – Mária Csikai, Senior project manager, Municipality of Zugló, Budapest

Although Budapest the capital city already has a Green Infrastructure Framework (GIF), the Municipality of Zugló has decided to be the first district to create its own independent GIF. This initiative aims to get a complete picture of its current green infrastructure, and from there, to develop an action plan for its improvement with active community involvement. At the conference, I would like to report on the successes and experiences of this public engagement process, as well as on the resulting green development plans that have been initiated.

• City rain is worth its weight in gold – Water retention possibilities in urban areas with different characteristics – Emese Décsi, Professional leader of LIFE in Runoff projet, Budapest 12^thDistrict Hegyvidék Local Council

 Facing more frequent flash floods and longer droughts, cities must change their attitude towards rainwater: instead of disposing of it, we should harvest and reuse it. In the LIFE in RUNOFF project, various rainwater retention solutions are demonstrated, tailored to different urban contexts in three districts of Budapest.

• Connecting generations via practices in the garden and building community via tree planting activities – Ramóna Fajkuszné Kovács, Representative of the Local Government of Bezi

Our project, planned and led by the local government of Bezi, facilitated a community building program while promoting rainwater usage and tree planting, involving the elderly people of our village and establishing a channel to meet and educate the youngests from our school and kindergarten. The children could participate in special outdoor classes for environmental studies. Tree planning has also been one of our missions, it is a continuing activity for us every year, when volunteers join and help, to make our village more green.

Q&A

Moderator – Dorottya Teveli-Horváth, PhD, Economist, Urbavis

We warmly welcome everyone to participate in a practice-oriented workshop, where we find answers to the challenges posed by sudden rainfall in urban areas.  The workshop is based on the interactive workshop methodology developed as part of the LIFE Urban Rain project, where we will work together to develop practical approaches to the future of our communities in the field of urban water management.

During the workshop:

• We will learn about the challenges posed by global climate change in the field of urban water management in Central Europe and find out what trends we can expect in the coming decades.
• Then, step by step, we will learn together how to prepare a local stormwater management plan, and based on the methodology developed in the project, we will also provide assistance in finding the most suitable solutions for our communities.
• Another important goal of the workshop is to provide an opportunity for participants to exchange experiences, share ideas and opinions, and brainstorm together.

Q&A

Moderator – Dalma Varga, PhD, Project manager, Ministry of Public Administration and Regional Development

• Enabling Transformative Innovation for Climate Adaptation: Tools and Approaches in the Danube Region – Anna Mandorli, Researcher, Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change and Vera Tekken, PhD, Senior Scientist, VDIVDE-IT

The presentation discusses how existing cutting-edge EU Mission tools, approaches, and methods can be customised to support inclusive community engagement, awareness-raising, and climate literacy, with the aim to enable just and transformative local climate adaptation in the Danube Macro-Region.

• Mainstreaming Nature-based Solutions into Policies and Strategies – Lessons from the NBS4LOCAL Partnership – Ferenc Réder, Strategy Officer, Managing Authority for Environmental and Energy Efficiency Operational Programmes, National Development Centre Since 2023,

 I have been fortunate to be part of the Interreg Europe NBS4Local project partnership, able to visit several regions of Europe, from the land of the Samis in Finland, through the most built-up Flemish region, to the seriously drought-stricken Alicante region of Spain, or regions with more or less similar characteristics to Hungary, the Podkarpackie Voivodeship of Poland, and Vukovar-Srijem County of Croatia.  In addition to learning from partner regions, I had the opportunity to participate as an expert in exciting events such as the onsite peer review held by the Interreg Policy Learning Platform for the Municipality of Alba Iulia on river restoration, and the Water-resilience Interreg workshop in Murcia. The knowledge gained in this cooperation obliges me to disseminate the lessons learnt and the good practices for the benefit of all.

• Functional Urban Areas and Green Infrastructure – Participatory planning in the FUNDA Project – Tímea Jaschitzné Cserni, Coordinator, Lechner Knowledge Center

The presentation introduces the FUNDA project (Functional Danube Areas), funded by the Interreg Danube Region Programme, which develops institutional capacities for managing Functional Urban Areas. It focuses on participatory planning, multi-level governance, and tools for stakeholder engagement, including a web-based monitoring system, good practice collection and the FUA-NET network. Special attention will be given to the green infrastructure pilot action, which links spatial planning with nature-based approaches.

• Colouring Resilience: Communicating climate action beyond the grey – Olaya Moena Latasa, Science Communicator, WeDo|Project Intelligence Made Easy presenting for the European Project, TRIGGER project

TRIGGER explores one possible response: to communicate climate resilience not only with data, but also through emotions and creativity. In this presentation we will show how we combine scientific rigour with visual narratives and artistic formats that spark curiosity and make complex issues accessible to diverse audiences: citizens, policymakers, healthcare professionals, and researchers.

• From Grey to Green: Municipal Strategies for Urban Climate Resilience – László Mrekva, Head of Dean’s Office, University of Public Service, Faculty of Water Sciences

 Urban areas are vulnerable to climate change but are essential in implementing effective mitigation and adaptation strategies. This study examines the climate resilience strategies of municipalities, focusing on local political leadership, urban planning, and institutional practices that foster resilient cities. The study offers recommendations for enhancing climate-aware local governance, stressing long-term planning, cross-sector collaboration, and knowledge sharing.

Q&A

Moderator – Réka Kovács, NbS4Local Project manager, Ministry of Public Administration and Regional Development

• Salla Give Back to Local Nature -campaign – Heli Karjalainen, Communications and membership coordinator, Matkalle Sallaan ry association

 The presentation introduces the idea and implementation of Salla Give Back to Local Nature -campaign. It explains how the campaign was initiated, what stakeholders were involved, and how it engages residents, visitors, and businesses to support climate adaptation. Support can be given through donations or concrete actions such as habitat restoration, reducing carbon footprints, enhancing the area’s capacity to sequester carbon, and raising awareness. The aim is to highlight practical local solutions, demonstrate the importance of ecosystem restoration and protection, and inspire other regions to launch similar initiatives.

• Small Hungarian municipality in Climate Alliance – how communities can shape together a better future – György Laki, Vice President of the Hungarian Climate Alliance, Mayor of Kajárpéc

Working for sustainability as a mayor of a small municipality. Everyday challenges and the power of community that helps overcome barriers and continue working.

• Promoting nature-based solutions via smart combination of funding instruments – Mónika Németh, managing director, coordinator of TeAM Hub, BURST Nonprofit Ltd.

Application of nature-based solutions require a completely new set of skills, different, attitudes, rethought planning procedures and maintenance practices. Leaving the beaten track requires experimentation and involves risks. Financial incentives are necessary even to make the first minor steps. Public funding schemes have a crucial role in supporting this shift of mindsets, and their smart combination may pave the way even towards large-scale investments.

• Landscape-scale water retention and transboundary water resource management to improve climate adaptive capacity – Csaba Vaszkó, Project consultant, Bihari-Kis-Sárrét Catchment Community

 My presentation introduces a bottom-up adaptation initiative launched by local stakeholders from Hungary and Romania. Recently, the water balance has deteriorated significantly and both surface and groundwater levels have declined dramatically. Communities have recognised the need to adapt to the changing situation, on both sides of the border. The aim of this  catchment-based community is to address the drought exacerbated by climate change by identifying landscape-scale natural water retention options and improving cross-border water management practices.

Q&A