ClimaResponse workshop in Ustka, Poland focuses on vulnerable groups and climate change

The first local workshop of the ClimaResponse project took place in Ustka, Poland, on 11 September 2025, with a particular focus on groups especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

Organised by the Pomorskie in the European Union Association, a ClimaResponse project partner, the workshop aimed to develop guidelines for inclusive climate planning in Ustka. The project supports local resilience to climate change and reduces risks associated with extreme weather events.

Participants

The workshop brought together:

• Representatives of Ustka City Hall
• Members of the Local Tourist Organization in Ustka
• The local team of the Pomorskie in the EU Association

Workshop highlights

During the meeting, participants:

• Learned about the ClimaResponse project and its relevance for local communities
• Mapped local needs and existing cooperation structures (NGOs, businesses, municipal service providers)
• Discussed climate threats, their consequences, and available mitigation measures
• Identified potential partners for future pilot activities

Identifying vulnerable groups
A key part of the workshop was identifying groups particularly at risk from climate change impacts. In Ustka, these include:

• Seniors
• Health resort patients
• Tourists (including international visitors, especially from the Czech Republic and Germany)
• Children
• People with disabilities
• Pregnant women

Identifying vulnerable groups helps to:

• Prioritise adaptation efforts
• Understand the root causes of vulnerability
• Tailor solutions to local needs and conditions

Existing solutions and good practices
Participants also mapped climate resilience measures already in place in Ustka, such as:

• Public drinking fountains
• Misting stations
• Retention reservoirs
• SMS warning systems
• Urban projects aimed at reducing heat islands

These examples show that the city is actively addressing climate adaptation, with the ClimaResponse project further supporting and integrating these efforts.

What’s next?
Upcoming stages of the project include:

• Pilot implementation of adaptation measures
• Development of a Digital Planning Platform to support local governments in climate risk management and strategic planning

Co-financed by the Interreg Baltic Sea Region programme, the ClimaResponse project focuses on strengthening local resilience to climate change impacts and reducing risks associated with extreme weather events.

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