In support of the European Green Deal, the EU Adaptation Strategy and the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change, successful proposals will support adaptation efforts in regional and local authorities located in coastal areas and identified as hotspot to climate change.

Projects results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• Climate resilience solutions to protect citizens and activities in coastal regions have been demonstrated and are made largely available for upscaling. This includes social, governance, nature-based and digital solutions.
• Coastal regions, cities and local authorities (in the projects and beyond) have increased their climate resilience and are better prepared to adapt to climate change

Rationale
Coastal regions—especially Southern Europe, low-lying coastal zones, and EU outermost regions—are climate risk hotspots. Rising sea levels and related threats (floods, erosion, saltwater intrusion) pose existential risks, requiring urgent and transformative adaptation.

Solutions sought

• Demonstrate innovative, systemic adaptation solutions for coastal resilience.
• Prioritise nature-based and ecosystem-based approaches (blue-green infrastructure) to avoid maladaptation and deliver co-benefits.
• Engage citizens and stakeholders to ensure inclusivity, equity, and social acceptance.
• Integrate socio-economic impacts, trade-offs, and co-benefits, with strong input from Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH).
• Explore digital tools and early-warning systems for real-time adaptation.

Demonstration & replication

• At least 3 coastal demonstration sites in different Member States/Associated Countries, one in a recognised hotspot area.
• At least 3 replicating regions to prepare frameworks for uptake, supported by consortium partners.

Synergies

• Build on existing knowledge (Horizon 2020/Europe, LIFE, Interreg, Copernicus, Mission Restore our Oceans and Waters).
• Align risk assessments with the CLIMAAX framework.
• Seek synergies with EU/national/private funds (e.g. LIFE, ERDF, EMFAF).

Collaboration & monitoring

• Establish operational links with the Mission Implementation Platform, Climate-ADAPT, and other EU platforms.
• Participate in the Mission’s Community of Practice, workshops, knowledge exchange, and joint communication.
• Dedicate resources to contribute to Mission monitoring and link with the framework of HORIZON-MISS-2024-CLIMA-01-03.

General conditions

1. Admissibility Conditions: Proposal page limit and layout

described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.

Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.

2. Eligible Countries

described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.

A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

3. Other Eligible Conditions

Demonstration activities must take place in the territory of at least 3 different coastal regional or local authorities, each established in a different Member States or Associated Country.

described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.

4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion

described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.

5a. Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring and thresholds

are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.

5b. Evaluation and award: Submission and evaluation processes

are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.

5c. Evaluation and award: Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement

described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.

6. Legal and financial set-up of the grants

described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Specific conditions

described in the specific topic of the Work Programme