SystR – Systemic and cross-sectoral solutions for climate resilience, tailored to the local needs of regions and local authorities
I4CE is participating along with 27 other partners in the European SystR project on systemic resilience of regions an local communities in response to climate change
Context and objective
As climate change adaptation gains momentum across Europe, SystR’s objective is to ensure that efforts are not carried out in silos – which could increase vulnerabilities in the medium to long term while reducing them in the short term – but in a systemic and cross-sectoral manner.
It is important to considernot only how individual sectors like water, health, or energy can adapt to climate impacts, but how they depend on one another. For example, a severe drought limits water supplies for hydropower, which in turn affects energy availability and costs. These challenges ripple out, straining industries and services and making cooling systems less accessible during heatwaves, ultimately worsening health risks.
An experimental approach
More than just a theoretical approach, SystR aims to deploy an experimental approach by working in depth with three pilot sites (Bystrica in Slovakia, Rome in Italy, and Guadeloupe in France) and three replication sites (Egaleo in Greece, Strasbourg in France, and the Galicia region in Spain).
Over the next four years, the six sites will co-create and test « integrated ecosystems of resilience solutions ». These solutions will combine nature-based approaches, digital tools, and inclusive governance frameworks to address real-world vulnerabilities, such as aging infrastructure, social inequality, and weak institutional capacity.
I4CE’s role
I4CE will be particularly involved (alongside Actierra) in the project component relating to the implementation of financial roadmaps tailored to each territorial context. This will involve, in particular:
- reviewing the literature on economic models and financing for adaptation;
- analyzing the “integrated ecosystems of resilience solutions” at each site, describing the cost and benefit structures
- engaging in discussions with operational stakeholders and financing actors.
Project Facts
The idea for the SystR project first took shape in the summer of 2024 and, following a successful application process led by the French partner Euroquality, work officially began in June 2025.
- EU Support: €8,9 M
- Project Coordinator: Demokritos (Greece)
- Proposal Developed by: Euroquality
- Duration: June 2025 – May 2029
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Partners
This project is part of a consortium of 28 partners including ADEME, Actierra, Énergies 2050, BRGM, the Communauté d’Agglomération du Nord Grande Terre (Guadeloupe), Eurométropole de Strasbourg and ICLEI (full list here).
Period
June 2025 – May 2029
