Europe’s premier event for climate adaptation and urban resilience, the European Urban Resilience Forum (EURESFO [1]) 2025 will take place from 25 to 27 June in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Co-organised with the City of Rotterdam [2], this year's edition will focus on the theme "Accelerating Resilience Action", spotlighting the urgent need for cities and regions to scale up their climate adaptation and resilience efforts.

For over a decade, EURESFO has served as Europe’s leading platform for urban resilience, bringing together city representatives, resilience experts, and stakeholders from across local and regional institutions. The forum facilitates the exchange of knowledge and strategies on climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and integrated urban resilience planning.

With growing participation and international recognition,  the Forum is an initiative by ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability and the European Environment Agency (EEA), with longstanding support from partners such as the Resilient Cities Network, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, and the Nordic Urban Resilience Institute. ​

Vasileios-Panagiotis Latinos, Head of Resilience and Climate Adaptation at ICLEI, noted:  
 
"The scale of the challenges and the speed at which we have to address urban resilience so that it meets the needs of not some, but all members of society, requires innovative thinking. We are fortunate to have a broad programme at EURESFO with speakers from the European Commission, the EEA, the UN and many cities and regions. The event provides plenty of opportunities for participants to exchange and connect major global developments with local issues and practical solutions."

Taking place in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, the Forum will draw on the city’s extensive experience as a recognised leader in urban resilience. This year’s edition will feature more than 100 speakers, 20 sessions and interactive workshops built around six thematic streams covering justice and societal resilience, climate extremes, governance, data and evidence-based action, nature-based solutions, and finance for adaptation.

Building on the outcomes of EURESFO 2024, this year’s event will also delve into recent EU policy developments, including the European Commission's new priorities and the progress of the EU Mission for Adaptation to Climate Change.

With a strong track record in managing water extremes and fostering cross-border collaboration, Rotterdam offers an ideal setting for this year’s edition. Site visits provide participants with a chance to explore innovative projects, engage with local practitioners, and gain hands-on insights into Rotterdam’s resilience strategies.

ICLEI Europe and its partners are proud to announce the winner of the 2025  Local Sustainability Award [3] during EURESFO on 25th June. This prestigious award celebrates cities, towns, and regions that show outstanding leadership in sustainable urban development, in alignment with the Aalborg Conditions, integrating the principles of shared governance, innovative financing, and cohesive transition planning within their local sustainability agenda. 

From a strong and diverse pool of over 50 applicants, three finalists have been selected for their exceptional leadership, creativity, and commitment to working toward a just, sustainable, and climate-neutral future.

Grenoble’s Breath of Schools project is turning streets around schools into greener, safer, and more playful spaces, with 13 areas already transformed through community co-design. Vilnius’ Revitalise Vilnius initiative is modernising inefficient housing, improving sustainability and living conditions for over 36,000 residents across 227 buildings. In the Barcelona Metropolitan Area, the Sustainability Protocol supports architects and planners in integrating the Sustainable Development Goals into their work, positively affecting 3.3 million people across 36 municipalities.

As cities across Europe continue to rise to the challenges of sustainability, the Local Sustainability Award serves as a platform to amplify success stories, foster collaboration, and accelerate the transition to climate neutrality.

For more information about the award, visit: https://award.iclei-europe.org [4]

The full programme is published here  https://urbanresilienceforum.eu/programme/programme/. [5]

About EURESFO: EURESFO is an annual platform that brings together city representatives, experts, and stakeholders to discuss strategies for adapting to climate change, managing disasters, and building urban resilience. Organised by ICLEI Europe and the European Environment Agency (EEA) since 2013, EURESFO fosters open and interactive exchanges on pressing urban resilience challenges. 

About ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability: ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability [6] is a global network of more than 2,500 local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development. Active in 125 countries, we influence sustainability policy and drive local action for low emission, nature-based, equitable, resilient and circular development. ICLEI Europe [7] provides members in Europe, the Middle East and West Asia with a voice on European and international stages, a platform to connect with peers, and tools to drive positive environmental, economic and social change. ICLEI Europe works closely with an extended network of local and regional governments and partners on a broad range of topics.