On 28 and 29 October 2025, the European Commission invites selected experts to the regional workshop "Designing Climate-Resilient Landscapes" in Bilbao. The event aims to gather practical insights and good practices from diverse governance and landscape contexts, supporting the development of new EU guidance on landscape-based climate adaptation. Participants can look forward to keynoting inputs and hands-on breakout sessions focused on real-world challenges and solutions.

The effects of climate change – from droughts and floods to erosion and biodiversity loss – are transforming Europe’s landscapes. In response, the European Commission is developing new guidance to support authorities, planners, landowners, and practitioners in shaping climate-resilient landscapes across the EU.

As part of this process, a Regional Expert Workshop on "Designing Climate-Resilient Landscapes" will take place from 28 and 29 October 2025 at Tecnalia Research& Innovation Office in Bilbao. The lunch-to-lunch event is organized by Ecologic Institute.

Objectives and Format

The workshop serves three main purposes:

• Gather practical insights and best practices from diverse landscape and governance contexts
• Facilitate exchange among experts and practitioners working on landscape-level resilience and adaptation
• Inform EU policy by identifying barriers to climate-resilient rural landscapes and contributing to the development of new guidance materials and legislation.

Through keynote speeches, panel discussions, and interactive breakout sessions, participants will explore real-world challenges and solutions related to landscape-based climate adaptation. The agenda includes inputs from the European Commission, Ecologic Institute, SMIVAL, Government of Basque Country, among others.

Agenda Highlights

The programme begins with a welcome address by the European Commission and a keynote speech on obstacles and opportunities in implementing climate-resilient landscapes. Sessions will feature examples from South-West Europe and explore enabling environments for implementation, followed by a panel discussion on institutional and operational processes. Collaborative breakout sessions will offer space to reflect on  the role of adaptive spatial planning and co-develop recommendations for practice and policy.