Partners meet in Prague to discuss what National Adaptation Hubs can do for climate resilience implementation

From 6-7 October, 32 AdaptationHubs partners, including representatives from National Adaptation Hubs, came together in person in Czechia, kindly hosted by the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague.

The meeting provided an important opportunity to take stock of progress, exchange experiences and, most importantly, ask what is needed to move from climate adaptation knowledge to implementation. Across Europe, National Adaptation Hubs are increasingly building networks, organising national and regional events, mapping initiatives and opportunities, and developing strategic partnerships. But a recurring challenge remains: how can we better connect the different levels, sectors and actors needed to turn adaptation plans into action?

From coordination bottlenecks to implementation

Over two intensive days, partners explored what European jurisdictions need to strengthen the implementation of climate resilience policies and practices across different risk areas. A key theme was the need to overcome fragmentation, between national governments, regions and municipalities, between policy and practice, and between adaptation actors and sources of finance.

The Czech experience provided a valuable example. The Czech National Adaptation Hub has formalised cooperation with ministries, established a partner network and brought together more than 200 organisations, experts and institutions through consultations and events. Its National Adaptation Map is also being developed as a digital space connecting stakeholders with adaptation policies, resources, data platforms and ongoing initiatives. These experiences highlighted that building an effective Hub is not simply about creating another platform or sharing more information. It is about building trust, creating connections and helping actors navigate the adaptation ecosystem.

National Adaptation Hubs as knowledge brokers and connectors

One of the strongest messages emerging from the discussions was the potential role of Hubs as knowledge brokers, connectors, and the "glue" of the national adaptation landscape. Hubs can help map and share effective solutions, connect solution providers with policymakers and finance, build capacity, and strengthen links between national, regional and local action.

This role becomes particularly important for complex challenges such as nature-based solutions, flooding, heat, water scarcity and resilient infrastructure. For example, discussions on nature-based solutions highlighted barriers ranging from permitting and regulation to monitoring, financing, liability and silos between departments and sectors. Hubs can help by demonstrating co-benefits, sharing good
practices, supporting capacity building and creating spaces for collaboration. They can also help by connecting national discussions with local experiences and practical adaptation taking place on the ground.

Connecting multilevel governance to the wider Mission ecosystem

Representatives from REGILIENCE+, Pathways2Resilience and the Mission Implementation Platform (MIP4Adapt) also led sessions connecting national experts with initiatives, platforms, tools and adaptation examples across the wider Mission ecosystem. This showed the value of connecting Hubs with existing resources rather than working in isolation. REGILIENCE+, for example, presented its portfolio of proven solutions, country trainings, and on-demand support, while Pathways2Resilience highlighted opportunities for Hubs to support regions with challenges such as adaptation finance and data and monitoring. MIP4Adapt further highlighted the potential role of Hubs in facilitating multi-level governance, building national coalitions, supporting replication of Mission solutions and strengthening connections between national governance and finance.

From coordination to action: what now?

The meeting reinforced a simple message: adaptation needs more than knowledge. It needs connections, coordination, political support and pathways to implementation. As one participant put it, the most useful role for Hubs may be to identify the “knights of adaptation” in their respective countries to bring in as allies and experts. With the project now approaching its halfway point, the focus is increasingly shifting towards how these networks and relationships can translate into tangible implementation support and also political uptake. The real work continues beyond the meeting room, so that plans and concepts don't sit on a shelf but translate to visible results.