Local challenges require local solutions and that starts with people who have the knowledge and tools to act. 

Representatives of civil society organisations and regional stakeholders from the Adjara and Guria regions gathered in Batumi for a two-day capacity-building training organised under the EU4ClimateResilience project. The workshop focused on strengthening local capacities to better understand climate risks and integrate adaptation measures into planning and decision-making. 

Although Adjara and Guria differ in geography and development priorities, both regions are increasingly exposed to the impacts of climate change. More frequent floods, landslides, coastal erosion, heatwaves and changing precipitation patterns are already affecting communities, infrastructure and local economies. Addressing these challenges requires coordinated action, informed planning and stronger cooperation between institutions and local actors. 

Throughout the training, participants explored the fundamentals of climate change adaptation and vulnerability assessment while gaining practical knowledge on how climate risks can be incorporated into local development processes. Particular attention was given to nature-based solutions, climate-resilient infrastructure, and approaches that help communities prepare for future climate impacts while delivering environmental and social benefits. 

Rather than relying solely on presentations, the workshop encouraged active participation through group exercises, discussions and case studies based on real-life examples. Working together, participants identified climate risks facing their own municipalities, discussed possible adaptation measures, and exchanged experiences with colleagues from neighbouring regions. These collaborative sessions demonstrated that many local challenges are shared and can benefit from joint learning and regional cooperation. 

Building local capacity remains one of the cornerstones of the EU4ClimateResilience project. Equipping local stakeholders with practical knowledge and fostering collaboration enables communities to move from understanding climate risks to implementing concrete adaptation measures that improve resilience on the ground. 

The Batumi workshop forms part of a broader series of regional capacity-building activities implemented across Georgia under the EU4ClimateResilience. By investing in local expertise and encouraging peer-to-peer exchange, the project supports communities in developing practical, locally owned solutions that contribute to a more climate-resilient future.