How JustREACH achieves its mission

Local and regional authorities across Europe are expected to deliver climate adaptation, economic growth and social inclusion at the same time.  Many face this challenge with limited time, staff and resources, making it difficult to move from planning to implementation. The overarching goal of JustREACH is to achieve just climate resilience by enabling authorities to make informed decisions about climate adaptation  that take into account their alignment with regional innovation and development strategies.
The project follows three guiding principles:

  • Co-creation, which brings citizens, businesses, policy makers and researchers together to ensure that the results respond to real community needs.
  • Interdisciplinary and needs-based design, which combines social, environmental and economic perspectives to create solutions that are both practical and inclusive.
  • Ready-to-use and adaptive knowledge, which ensures that every tool and resource is tested with users so that it is accessible, relevant and easy to apply in real decision-making.

1.

Integrated Just Resilience Framework

The framework explains how climate actions affect people, economies and ecosystems. It is built from a review of existing EU policies, adaptation platforms and regional innovation data. It includes indicators for social fairness and regional development and is validated through behavioral studies and modelling in the pilot regions. The framework helps authorities design adaptation measures that are evidence-based, inclusive and aligned with wider regional strategies.

2.

Multi-scale Assessment Suite

To help local and regional authorities plan better, JustREACH develops an assessment system that links local actions with regional and national effects. Using models and surveys, the suite examines how adaptation measures influence jobs, biodiversity and economic growth. It provides users with a clear view of trade-offs and synergies so they can prioritise actions that advance both resilience and social equity.

3.

JustREACH Prism

The Prism acts as a gateway to knowledge and data. It connects existing European platforms on adaptation and smart Specialisation, allowing users to find information tailored to their own region. Through a simple and interactive interface, authorities can explore scenarios, compare policy options and understand how different choices support just resilience and regional transformation.

4.

Pilot Sites and the Transformation Bootcamp

Five pilot regions across Europe put these tools into practice and test how they work in different settings. Their experiences feed into training activities through the JustREACH Transformation Bootcamp, where local authorities and community leaders learn how to turn strategies into action. A series of Social Learning Videos captures real examples from these pilots and shares them through European networks, encouraging others to take similar steps toward resilience.