Slovenia’s Strategic Integrated LIFE Project for Adaptation

Introduction

Slovenia’s Strategic Integrated LIFE Project for Adaptation – LIFE4ADAPT, aims at contributing to the full implementation of the national adaptation strategy (NAS), i.e. the Strategic Framework for Climate Change Adaptation (SFCCA), adopted by the Government in 2016.

Objectives

The project proposes a comprehensive set of activities to target the main bottlenecks in climate change adaptation, adjust to major known risks, and includes key stakeholders in the process, as foreseen by the SFCCA.

Challenges

So far, the implementation of the NAS was facing major barriers in the form of:

• Institutional capacity
• Know-how
• Wider recognition of risks

These challenges have led to suboptimal implementation of capabilities and capacities across all sectors, levels of government, and the wider public.

Recent Climate Impacts

This situation has changed with climate impacts felt across Slovenia in:

• 2022 (drought, forest fires)
• 2023 (catastrophic floods)

Proposed Activities

The project thus proposes to implement activities ranging from:

1. Upgrading climate services at the Slovenian Environment Agency via the Climate Service Center
2. Strengthening interministerial cooperation
3. Climate Portal upgrade
4. Building capacities
5. Providing operational support for climate change adaptation action in regions and municipalities

These activities are underpinned by work packages on:

• Implementation of pilot measures
• Communication
• Education
• Devising a monitoring and evaluation system
• Innovative financing mechanisms
• Post-project implementation plan

Collaboration

The project will bring together crucial partners among:

• Local level associations of municipalities
• Representatives of NGOs
• Private and public sectors
• Academia

Synergies and Long-term Goals

It will be able to develop synergies with other policies, sectors, and levels of government through systematic, long-term, and coordinated actions. This approach ensures the successful involvement of all target groups and builds the capacity of the state and key actors to respond proactively to the rising risks and vulnerabilities due to climate change.