Brussels, 23–24 September 2025 – The Horizon Europe flagship project ARSINOE (Climate-resilient regions through systemic solutions and innovations) concluded its four-year journey with a high-profile Final Event at the Permanent Representation of Greece to the European Union. The two-day conference brought together scientists, policymakers, local stakeholders, and international experts to reflect on lessons learned, showcase project outcomes, and chart the path forward for climate adaptation in Europe and beyond.

At the heart of ARSINOE’s achievements stood Prof. Chrysi Laspidou, Vice-Rector of Innovation, Internationalization, Collaborations and Digital Governance at the University of Thessaly and the Project Coordinator. Throughout the event, Prof. Laspidou emphasized the importance of systemic collaboration across levels of governance, science, and society, underscoring ARSINOE’s mission to translate research into actionable resilience strategies.

“Our wonderful journey with the ARSINOE project, which I had the honor to coordinate, has come to an end. Now begins the phase of putting into practice everything we have created!,” Laspidou noted.

A Storytelling Journey of Case Studies

The morning session of Day 1 showcased ARSINOE’s nine pilot regions, spanning Sardinia, the UK, Southern Denmark, the Black Sea region, the Athens Metropolitan Area, Ohrid & Prespa Lakes, and beyond. Through a participatory storytelling format, stakeholders shared local narratives of resilience, revealing how systemic solutions can address cross-border challenges while fostering innovation at the community level.

The session featured keynote speeches by Dr. Thomas Ammerl (Bavarian Research Alliance, Germany) and Dr. Karim Ammar (CIMMYT, Mexico), followed by a panel discussion, “The Way Forward”, with the special participation of MEP Dimitris Tsiodras, Member of the European Parliament’s Environment Committee.

From Narratives to Innovation

Day 2 shifted the spotlight to ARSINOE’s innovations, including:

• The ARSINOE Serious Game, an interactive tool for exploring climate adaptation pathways.
• Digital solutions such as the Knowledge Graph to support evidence-based decision-making.
• Citizen science initiatives like MINKA, fostering inclusive engagement.
• Educational tools to support next-generation awareness and capacity-building.

The Grains of Change documentary team also unveiled the trailer of their upcoming film, capturing human stories of transformation and resilience inspired by the ARSINOE project.

High-Level Policy Dialogue

The conference culminated in a High-Level Panel titled “Bridging Policy, Science, and Markets to Make Climate Adaptation Real”, moderated by Prof. Laspidou. The discussion underscored the urgent need to link European research outcomes with market mechanisms and policymaking in order to mainstream adaptation solutions.

A Legacy for European Climate Policy

Welcoming remarks by Rector Charalambos Billinis (University of Thessaly) and Ambassador Ioannis Vrailas (Permanent Representation of Greece to the EU) highlighted the symbolic importance of hosting the event in Brussels, where European institutions shape the policies that will determine the continent’s climate resilience.

The presence of high-level figures such as MEP Tsiodras further underscored the project’s relevance to the European Green Deal and future adaptation strategies.

As ARSINOE closes, its legacy will live on through its tools, networks, and methodologies, but also through the collaborative spirit it fostered among scientists, policymakers, and local actors. Prof. Laspidou concluded by stressing that the project’s systemic approach should serve as a model for future European and international climate initiatives:

“ARSINOE’s legacy is about bridging gaps – between science and policy, between local and global, and between present challenges and future solutions. This is the foundation of true climate resilience.”

👉 Read more here: High-Level Panel at the Final Conference of the ARSINOE Project in Brussels | University Of Thessaly

👉 And here: Morning Session – ARSINOE Final Event | University Of Thessaly