SO 2.2.: Increasing the resilience to climate change risks in central Europe

Why we fund this

Resilience to climate change risks is important for central Europe, especially in view of its significant environmental and socio-economic impacts. There is a need for integrated and cross-sectoral approaches to best adapt to climate change.

In order to strengthen climate resilience, general approaches need to be locally adapted towards workable and manageable, integrated solutions which can be proliferated across the entire central Europe area.

Potential fields to be addressed by project proposals

→ Climate change resilience and adaptation measures

→ Resilience to weather extremes and related hazards (rainfall, floods, landslides, heat, droughts, water scarcity, wildfires etc.)

→ Socio-economic and health-related impacts of climate change

→ Climate-proof landscape and urban planning

→ Risk awareness, prevention and management

Potential fields to be addressed by project proposals

→ Waste prevention and management, recycling and recovery of resources and raw materials

→ Circular economy value chains

→ Sustainable product design (e.g. eco-design) and product development processes

→ Repair and re-use

→ Clean production processes and closed loop systems

→ Behavioural changes of producers, consumers, public buyers etc. 

SO 2.4: Safeguarding the environment in central Europe

Why we fund this

The economic and environmental significance of natural assets and landscapes in central Europe calls for a co-ordinated valorisation and protection of biodiversity and ecosystems. There is a strong need to counteract negative effects of human action through integrated environmental management approaches.

Potential fields to be addressed by project proposals

→ Biodiversity conservation and recovery including urban green spaces

→ Reduction of environmental pollution (air, water, soil, noise, light etc.) and their human health impacts

→ Sustainable land management and landscape planning

→ Restoration of degraded ecosystems

→ Protection of natural heritage, ecosystems and valuable areas incl. Natura 2000 sites

→ Integrated environmental management and sustainable use of natural resources

→ Ecosystem services (e.g. production of food and water, clean air, recreational benefits)

→ Sustainable tourism and the valorisation of natural heritage

SO 2.5: Greening urban mobility in central Europe

Why we fund this

A reduction of transport emissions is one of the key targets of the European Green Deal. Smart and greener urban mobility will need an integrated response. Many functional urban areas in central Europe face similar challenges when greening their mobility. The specific territorial need lies in the vast diversity of topics (e.g. pollution and congestion) that need to be addressed in an integrated approach. Furthermore, the topic does not only include different ways of mobility, but also urban as well as urban-rural logistics.

Potential fields to be addressed by project proposals

→ Sustainable urban mobility planning

→ Smart traffic and mobility management, including commuting solutions

→ Sustainable multimodal urban freight and logistic solutions (including the “last mile”)

→ Accessibility of urban public transport for everyone, especially for elderly and frail people

→ Quality and efficiency of green, urban public transport services

→ Sustainable multimodal connections between urban and peri-urban areas

→ Reduction of greenhouse gases and other air pollutants from urban transport

→ Smart traffic and mobility management, including commuting solutions