The main objective in Weiz was to to improve thermal comfort in a senior care facility with municipal support, where indoor temperatures rise above normal during summer heatwaves. Ready4Heat showed that renewable-powered cooling can protect vulnerable people during heatwaves while keeping energy use, operating costs and emissions low. In Weiz, a high-efficiency cooling system combined with on-site photovoltaic energy generation created stable and safe indoor temperatures in a senior care facility. The solution is transferable for municipalities that want to improve thermal comfort in essential buildings without increasing dependence on the electricity grid. Successful implementation depended on early political commitment, clear governance and close cooperation between the municipality, the care facility operator, the building owner and technical experts. The findings of the Weiz Pilot show that the selected technical solution and governance model meet the project’s main goals. Although the installation was completed late in the season, which limited the amount of real-time data available, the analysis based on technical specifications offers a solid indication of how the system is expected to perform. The pilot confirms that PV-supported cooling is not only technically feasible but also economically and environmentally beneficial when compared with conventional systems or other alternatives. The solution provides thermal comfort, reduces energy use, and relies on renewable energy, supporting long-term sustainability. These results highlight the value of this approach for similar institutions where vulnerable groups need reliable protection from heat stress

The main objective of this solution was to explore how simple nature-based shading measures can make public spaces cooler, safer and more usable during heatwaves. This solution demonstrates how low-cost, realistic and socially accepted solutions can improve thermal comfort and protect vulnerable groups. In Maribor, vegetated pergolas in kindergarten outdoor areas reduced heat stress and improved thermal comfort for children and staff. The solution is easy to understand and adaptable: trees, pergolas, green roofs or other shaded structures can be integrated into local heat adaptation strategies. Its long-term success depends on early stakeholder involvement, clear responsibilities and maintenance planning from the start. By introducing simple nature-based shading structures with vegetation, Maribor demonstrated how low-cost, realistic and socially accepted solutions can improve thermal comfort and protect vulnerable users. The results show that, during the transitional months (June and September), outdoor air temperatures in the pergola zones were up to 5 °C lower compared to fully exposed areas, demonstrating localized shading and buffering effects even before full vegetation coverage. Staff and teachers at both kindergartens praised the new pergolas for creating a more pleasant and cooler outdoor environment where children spend more time outside and behave more calmly during hot days. The Maribor solution can be replicated in various formats as its success depends less on the specific structure installed and more on good governance, early stakeholder involvement, clear responsibilities and secured long-term maintenance.

The main objective of this solution was to demonstrate that distributed, nature-based shading measures can improve thermal comfort in public and institutional spaces at relatively low cost. In Hajdúböszörmény, green islands combining vegetation, pergolas and seating created cooler microclimates and made heat-exposed areas more comfortable and usable. The solution can be integrated into existing public spaces and scaled over time, especially when site selection is informed by heat-stress analysis and local knowledge. Early engagement, clear maintenance arrangements and defined responsibilities are key to lasting impact. This solution shows that nature-based shading is a cost-effective and feasible heat adaptation measure that can be integrated into existing public spaces and that early stakeholder involvement improves site selection, public acceptance and long-term success. To ensure long-lasting impact, municipalities are recommened to establish maintenance planning and clear responsibilities and treat heat mitigation as a standard municipal service, not a one-off activity.

The main objective of the pilot was to improve local preparedness for heat events and to reduce heat related health risks for vulnerable groups. This solution showed that effective heat protection depends on organised cooperation, not only on individual measures. In Worms, a structured local heat protection network brought together health services, social care providers and volunteers, supported by practical tools such as a heat hotline, a map of cool places and targeted training. The solution is transferable because it combines clear governance, defined roles and tailored communication for vulnerable groups. It works best when heat protection is treated as a long-term public health task and embedded in existing local structures. Based on the experience in Worms, four key recommendations emerge that are transferable to other municipalities. First, heat protection should be treated as a public health and organisational issue, not only as a technical one. Second, intermediary actors such as care institutions, kindergartens and social services play a crucial role because they are in daily contact with vulnerable groups. Third, cooperation should be formalised through simple governance tools to ensure continuity beyond project funding. Fourth, communication must be tailored to specific target groups and focused on practical use rather than general awareness alone.