Schnifis Becomes a European Meeting Point for Climate Change Adaptation

Hybrid
Location: Schnifis, Austria
Date: 22.09.2026 - 23.09.2026
By: SuPeRBE
From 22 to 24 September 2026, the municipality of Schnifis, Austria, hosted the final event of the Interreg Central Europe project SuPeRBE – Sustainable and Participatory Resilience Building in Europe, in cooperation with Hochschule München. The event brought together experts and representatives from Austria, Germany, Italy, Croatia, the Czech Republic and Hungary to present project results, exchange knowledge and strengthen international cooperation on climate change adaptation.

The three-day programme combined presentations of the project’s achievements, discussions on climate resilience, the establishment of a new international network and a large-scale disaster response exercise.

Presenting SuPeRBE Results and Climate Adaptation Tools

A key focus of the event was the presentation of the SuPeRBE Climate Adaptation System, developed and tested across nine European pilot areas. The system combines an online platform, training resources and assessment tools to evaluate and improve the climate resilience of buildings, neighbourhoods and municipalities.

Based on EN ISO 14091:2021, the system provides a comprehensive framework for assessing climate-related risks and adaptation capacities, while allowing assessments to be tailored to local conditions. The nine pilot projects from Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic and Italy were presented during a dedicated poster session, highlighting practical approaches to strengthening local climate resilience.

The programme also featured expert presentations on climate adaptation, disaster preparedness, policy instruments and capacity-building initiatives, alongside contributions from other European projects and networks.

Launch of the International Climate Change Adaptation Network (ICCAN)

One of the major outcomes of the event was the official establishment of the International Climate Change Adaptation Network (ICCAN) on 23 September 2026.

The network will ensure the continuation of cooperation beyond the SuPeRBE project, bringing together project partners, municipalities, regions and other stakeholders to exchange knowledge, develop joint solutions and initiate future international projects on climate change adaptation.

The newly appointed board includes representatives from Austria, Italy, Germany, Croatia, the Czech Republic and Hungary.

Strengthening Local Resilience in Schnifis

The event also highlighted the project’s contributions to climate adaptation planning in Schnifis. As part of SuPeRBE, the municipality is developing a Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP), a disaster response plan and a comprehensive climate change adaptation plan to guide future local development and strengthen resilience to climate-related risks.

A major highlight was the large-scale disaster response exercise held on 23 September, organised in cooperation with the Schnifis Fire Brigade and regional emergency services.

The exercise simulated severe weather conditions, including heavy rainfall, flooding, landslides and rescue operations. It also tested the municipality’s newly established emergency management team and demonstrated the importance of coordinated emergency preparedness.

International project partners participated in the exercise, gaining practical insights into local disaster response procedures.

Building on SuPeRBE’s Legacy

The final event marked an important milestone in the SuPeRBE project’s efforts to strengthen climate resilience across Central Europe. Through its assessment tools, pilot activities, capacity-building initiatives and international cooperation, the project has provided municipalities and regions with practical approaches to climate change adaptation.

With the establishment of ICCAN, the knowledge, partnerships and results developed through SuPeRBE will continue to support climate-resilient communities beyond the project’s lifetime.

SuPeRBE is co-financed by the European Union through the Interreg Central Europe programme.