Our new project: CLIM·IN

CLIM·IN: Rethinking Climate Preparedness Inclusively

Heatwaves, floods, wildfires and other extreme weather events are making one thing increasingly clear: climate preparedness is a key responsibility for local communities. Smaller local authorities in particular play an important role, yet they often face limited human, financial and technical resources. At the same time, not everyone is affected by climate-related risks in the same way — and not everyone is adequately reached by existing information, participation and emergency structures.

This is precisely where CLIM·IN comes in.

The European Erasmus+ project supports smaller local authorities and communities in better preparing for climate-related risks while actively involving vulnerable groups. The project focuses in particular on people with disabilities, deaf people, older people, as well as those facing health, social or geographical disadvantages. Its aim is to make climate adaptation, disaster preparedness and risk communication more accessible, understandable and relevant to everyday life.

An important part of CLIM·IN is the development of practical tools and learning opportunities. These include a Status Review Tool for smaller local authorities to assess their level of climate preparedness, accessible learning materials and learning spaces for the local population, as well as outreach methods to inform, involve and support vulnerable people in a targeted way. The materials are designed to reflect different communication needs — for example through plain language, visual formats, digital access and adapted communication methods for deaf people and people with disabilities.

CLIM·IN follows a participatory approach: vulnerable groups are not only seen as target groups, but as experts in their own lived realities. Their experiences, needs and perspectives feed into the development of project tools, learning opportunities and local activities. This helps create solutions that can genuinely be applied in the day-to-day life of smaller communities.

The project is carried out by an international partnership from France, Germany, Croatia and Italy. The participating organisations bring together expertise in adult education, education for sustainable development, social inclusion, climate communication, work with people with disabilities, and cooperation with communities in the Alpine region.

In the long term, CLIM·IN aims to help smaller communities across Europe become better prepared for climate-related risks — while leaving no one behind. Effective climate preparedness is not only about technical or organisational planning, but also about understandable information, genuine participation and social justice.

The project runs from 1 December 2025 to 30 November 2027 and is funded by Erasmus+. Further information on the project, its partners and planned activities can be found in the full project description:
https://alpenallianz.org/en/projects/clim-in