Overview
Building on the success of the Covenant of Mayors on climate change mitigation, the European Commission started the Mayors Adapt Initiative to reach the goals of the European adaptation strategy. This pan-European initiative supports cities in their activities in climate change adaptation, promotes the exchange of knowledge between cities and provides a platform for cities to present their activities. Signatory cities developed separate climate change adaptation plans or integrated them into existing policies and plans. They are supported in their work with expert knowledge and specific tools by the initiative. Their progress is measured biennially.
As part of a European consortium, ifok was responsible for all communications activities for the pan-European project. These comprised of central communications and press-related tasks (website development, public relations work on the European level, social media communications, among others) as well as the support of the cities in their decentral public relations work (e.g. development of guidelines, provision of materials, trainings and managing inquiries). Furthermore, ifok was responsible for all events within the project, from the conception to the implementation.
Achievements
- Workshops with city representatives from across Europe with the purpose of a detailed conception of the initiative and assessing city needs.
- A high-level launch event in Brussels with European Commissioner for Climate Action, several mayors, stakeholders, and the press, among others.
- A pan-European conference for the signatory cities and mayors with high-ranking representatives of the European Institutions and a festive ceremony for the signing.