Month: May 2026

• The European project has been officially selected to host a stand at the 2026 European Week of Regions and Cities.
• Finnova Director of Communications and Public Affairs Pilar Santamaría will attend the partner meeting organised by the European Commission on Friday, 5 June, in Brussels.
• The meeting will provide information on the official timetable, next steps and requirements for preparing the exhibition space.

Brussels, Tuesday, 26 May 2026. The European project LIFE COSTAdapta has been officially selected to participate with a stand at the 2026 edition of the European Week of Regions and Cities (EURegionsWeek), Europe’s leading event dedicated to regional policy, territorial cohesion, sustainability and innovation, organised by the European Commission.

The confirmation was communicated by the EURegionsWeek Secretariat following the completion of the evaluation process, which this year attracted a large number of high-quality applications from across Europe. Thanks to this selection, LIFE COSTAdapta will have its own exhibition space to present its innovative climate adaptation and coastal resilience solutions to institutional representatives, policymakers, experts, researchers and organisations from across Europe on 12, 13 and 14 October 2026 in Brussels.

 

Preparations for the Official Participation Begin

As a first step in the organisational phase, the European Commission has invited all selected projects and organisations to an official preparatory meeting that will take place on Friday, 5 June 2026, at the Karel Van Miert Auditorium in Tour Madou, the European Commission’s premises in Brussels.

Representing the Finnova Foundation, the organisation responsible for the communication and dissemination activities of the LIFE COSTAdapta project, Pilar Santamaría, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, will attend the meeting.

During the session, EURegionsWeek organisers will officially present the results of the selection process, the event timetable, key organisational milestones, preparation deadlines and the guidelines required to ensure the successful delivery of all planned activities. A dedicated question-and-answer session will also be held to address participants’ queries and coordinate the logistical and communication aspects of the selected exhibition spaces.

 

European Recognition for Climate Adaptation Solutions

LIFE COSTAdapta’s participation in EURegionsWeek 2026 represents significant European recognition of the work carried out by the consortium in the field of nature-based coastal adaptation and resilience to the impacts of climate change.

Each year, the European Week of Regions and Cities brings together thousands of representatives from European institutions, regional and local authorities, universities, research centres, companies and international organisations to discuss Europe’s key territorial challenges and share innovative solutions for sustainable development.

Participation in the event will provide international visibility for the project’s achievements, strengthen cooperation with other European initiatives and create new opportunities for collaboration in the field of climate adaptation for coastal areas.

Finnova Strengthens the Project’s European Dimension

The Finnova Foundation will play a key role in coordinating LIFE COSTAdapta’s participation in EURegionsWeek 2026, both in the preparation of the stand and in the communication and dissemination activities planned throughout the event.

Pilar Santamaría’s attendance at the official meeting on 5 June will mark the beginning of the countdown to one of Europe’s leading forums on regional policy, sustainability and territorial innovation. In addition to coordinating organisational aspects, the meeting will help foster new strategic partnerships and networking opportunities for the project consortium.

 

About LIFE COSTAdapta

LIFE COSTAdapta has a total budget of €3,337,563 and is co-funded by the European Union through the LIFE Programme. The project is coordinated by the Gran Canaria Island Energy Council and includes the participation of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), the University of Cantabria, INGECID, Raley Coastal Studies, ECOncrete AQUA, the Canary Foundation for Recycling and Sustainable Development, and the Finnova Foundation.

For more information about the project: https://costadapta.energiagrancanaria.com/

• The European project participated in the Global Sustainable Islands Summit 2026
• Patricia Caro Ruiz (ULPGC) highlighted “soft systems” as a response to the climate risk already present along the coastline
• Adrián Noheda (Finnova Foundation) fostered new connections in climate finance and international cooperation

Brussels, Monday May 11^th, 2026. The European project LIFE COSTAdapta, coordinated by the Island Energy Council of Gran Canaria (CIEGC), participated in the Global Sustainable Islands Summit (GSIS 2026), held on Wednesday, April 22 and Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Gran Canaria (Spain). The project presented its coastal resilience approach based on hybrid solutions inspired by nature.

The event featured contributions from Patricia Caro Ruiz, technical coordinator of the project and professor at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), and Adrián Noheda, project manager at the Finnova Foundation, the entity responsible for communication and strategic support of the project. This participation is part of LIFE COSTAdapta’s strategy to promote climate change adaptation in island territories through knowledge transfer, international cooperation, and the development of solutions applied to local contexts.

An international meeting for coastal adaptation in islands

GSIS 2026 brought together institutional representatives, scientists, and stakeholders from the blue economy sector to address sustainability challenges in island territories. With over 500 delegates representing 67 countries worldwide, the summit provided a platform for exchanging ideas and best practices.

In this context, LIFE COSTAdapta shared its vision on the need to integrate climate adaptation into coastal planning, based on the premise that climate change-related risks are already present along the coastline.

During her intervention, Patricia Caro Ruiz (ULPGC) emphasized the importance of so-called “soft systems” for progressive coastal adaptation, based on the combination of natural processes and adaptive design as an alternative to traditional rigid infrastructures.

Nature-based solutions: the reef–tidal pool system

One of the key elements presented was the reef–tidal pool prototype, a hybrid solution that integrates natural pools, artificial reefs, and living structures. This system is designed to reduce wave energy, enhance sediment stability, and create marine habitats, thereby contributing to coastal protection and biodiversity.

International cooperation and climate finance

During the summit, Adrián Noheda (Finnova Foundation) carried out an agenda focused on identifying European funding opportunities and establishing new strategic partnerships for scaling up nature-based solutions. His participation helped strengthen the project’s connections with international stakeholders in climate innovation and coastal management.

About the project

The LIFE COSTAdapta project, coordinated by the Island Energy Council of Gran Canaria (CIEGC), has a budget of €3,337,563, co-funded at 60% by the European Union’s LIFE Programme. Its mission is to transform coastal adaptation through hybrid systems inspired by nature.

The multidisciplinary consortium is composed of: the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), the University of Cantabria (UC), INGECID, Raley Coastal Studies, ECOncrete AQUA, the Canary Foundation for Recycling and Sustainable Development (FCR), and the Finnova Foundation.

For more information:
 https://costadapta.energiagrancanaria.com/

• The European project develops innovative nature-based solutions in Gran Canaria

• The initiative aims to protect the coast against sea-level rise and preserve its social, economic, and environmental value

Brussels, Friday, May 8, 2026. The European project LIFE COSTAdapta, coordinated by the Island Energy Council of Gran Canaria, celebrates Europe Day by highlighting its work in adapting coastal areas to climate change through innovative nature-based solutions. The initiative brings together public administrations, universities, companies, and European organizations to design, implement, and evaluate a coastal protection system that reduces erosion and wave impact, responding to rising sea levels and the need to preserve the Canary coastline.

Innovative solutions for the coast

LIFE COSTAdapta is developing a system known as a “reef–tidal pool,” which acts as a natural barrier against waves without relying on traditional infrastructure such as walls or breakwaters. This approach helps reduce coastal erosion, minimize flood risk, and maintain the quality of the natural environment.

Sustainability and climate adaptation

The project is based on principles of sustainability and innovation, combining scientific knowledge with solutions inspired by nature. Its goal is to increase coastal resilience to climate change while protecting biodiversity and maintaining the social and economic uses of the coastline, such as tourism.

European values in action

LIFE COSTAdapta reflects the values of Europe Day by promoting cooperation, sustainability, and joint action against climate change, in line with the priorities of the European Union. The project brings together partners from different European countries, strengthening international collaboration to protect both territory and citizens.

Impact in Gran Canaria and European outreach

The initiative is being implemented in pilot areas such as San Felipe, in Gran Canaria, with the aim of demonstrating its effectiveness and enabling its replication in other European coastal regions. In this way, LIFE COSTAdapta positions itself as a benchmark model for climate adaptation at the international level.

Funding and partners

The LIFE COSTAdapta project has an approximate budget of €3.4 million and is co-funded by the European Union’s LIFE programme. It is coordinated by the Island Energy Council of Gran Canaria and involves the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the University of Cantabria, INGECID, Raley Coastal Studies, ECOncrete AQUA, the Canary Foundation for Recycling and Sustainable Development, and the Finnova Foundation.

More information: https://costadapta.energiagrancanaria.com/