STAR2Cs

Short Term Adaptation for Long Term Resilience to Climate Change
Priority Axis
Adaptation to Climate ChangeSpecific objective
Adaptation to Climate Change
Lead partner
Kent County CouncilContact
Start Date
13/07/2017End Date
31/08/2021Project budget
4 380 191 €ERDF amount
2 628 115 €ERDF rate
60%About
Common challenge
With climate change, flooding will likely become more frequent and severe with damages in Europe reaching €23.5bn by 2050. Given floods are already costly to 2 Seas area, there is clear need to take proactive action to reduce the impacts of future flooding on our ecosystems, communities and economies. Member States have developed national adaptation strategies identifying such action. However, local authorities and regional agencies tasked with implement them are finding it challenging to deliver tangible adaptation measures. This difficulty is driven by a systemic failure to engage local stakeholders responsible for planning and decision making with adaptation due to several barriers including lack of: understanding of long-term costs/benefits, relevant tools and capabilities to support decision making and funding for perceived ‘future’ investments. Thus, there is little appetite or ability to deliver local adaptation, creating an ‘implementation gap’ between strategy and real change.
Overall objective
Main outputs
Cross border approach
Main Achievements
STAR2Cs aims to address the implementation gap faced by stakeholders in delivering local action to build adaptation capacity. The project will produce 1 e-tool to identify and evaluate mechanisms to deliver adaptation focused on local scenarios, 1 knowledge and capacity building service increasing stakeholder ability for 'future proofed' decision making, 8 implementation pathways to implement in 8 pilot areas and one case study method evaluating project success
STAR2Cs is progressing well against activity and budget forecasts as set out in the AF. Considerable progress has been made by all partners in year 3 of project delivery, despite challenges arising from the Covid-19 pandemic. The Adaptation Catalyst e-tool (Output 1) has been promoted and used widely among partner organisations and networks. Output 2, the Knowledge and Capability Building Service has been used by partners in their organisation and pilot areas. 3 virtual workshops and PMCs have been held, supporting the successful delivery of transferable outputs and encouraging cross-border cooperation.
In addition to project level progress, in light of difficult circumstances due to Covid-19, PPs have made excellent progress in local delivery of pilot activity. 2 pilots have been delivered in accordance with the AF. LP engaged with groups across Kent and nationally to raise awareness of the project and O1. LP progressed O3.1 by procuring a consultant to assist with delivering the Adaptation Programme, developing a comms plan and conducting a survey
PP2 made progress in the Zwalm, conducting workshops to define actions for the river contract. PP7/PP2 engaged with over 1000 stakeholders via their interactive website tool, 818 stakeholders undertook a flood test on the website and 60 residents subscribed to receive property flood protection.
PP4 completed development of models for 100% of their pilot area and is disseminating results through workshops. PP6 has completed installation of measures at their pilot area and is disseminating results
PP5 ran a climate dialogue, developed a concept for a knowledge base to engage stakeholders on climate adaptation and developed a climate board game that was played at a climate festival. PP5 continued work on the Natura 2000 climate adaptation study and developed a climate exhibition. PP8 continued development of phase 2 of the vision for their pilot area by engaging with stakeholders via workshops and bi lateral meetings and developing cartographic maps