STAR2Cs aimed to overcome the ‘implementation gap’ currently faced in delivering local action to build adaptation capacity. It aimed to do this by establishing an innovative transferable solution that identifies financial, social, technical and ecosystem-based mechanisms to deliver this. The end results would be better cost-effective adaptation, greater stakeholder knowledge/ability to participate in ‘future-proofed’ decision making, and demonstrate success and cost-savings of integrated and incremental actions to implement adaptation.

As a result, the implementation of adaption measures across the 2 Seas area aimed to lead to a 15% reduction in future costs from flooding evidenced by a 30% increase in local actions from 4 national adaptation strategies that are costed, timed and integrated into delivery mechanisms. This would included 1000 stakeholders co-creating ‘future-proofed’ actions, but also a 15% increase in delivery of local adaptation measures and 24 organisations reducing the impacts of floods by adopting the STAR2Cs solution in decision-making processes. 

STAR2Cs delivered an evidence-based, cross-border solution that supports stakeholders to implement adaptation measures, consisting of:
● 1 decision-making e-tool (Adaptation Catalyst) to identify and evaluate mechanisms to deliver adaptation tailored to local scenarios.
● 1 knowledge and capacity building service increasing stakeholder ability to participate in ‘future-proofed’ decision-making and implement adaptation.
● 8 implementation pathways identifying cost-effective incremental and integrated short-term actions towards adaptation in 8 pilot areas.
● 1 method evaluating the success of STAR2Cs and providing  guidance for adopting the STAR2Cs solutions.

Directly benefiting are practitioners in flood risk management, spatial planning, water management and climate change, as well as local decision makers and planners. It has wider-benefits for national public bodies and agencies and supports politicians and policy makers. Ultimately, it benefits local communities at flood risk across the 2 Seas area.

Check the “Outputs” section below to download related material and see “Main Achievements” section for further information about the achieved results.

Climate risks continue to affect the 2 Seas area resulting in severe localised and regional impacts. Responding to climate change is a pan-European issue and traditional, unilateral approaches to risk management are unlikely to address future challenges. 2 Seas Member States have different needs and approaches to flood risk management and climate adaptation, but all face similar barriers with implementation. No single organisation has all the knowledge to overcome these challenges. By working together partners have overcome barriers to increase adaptation capacity by drawing on a diverse range of expertise and local experience.

The partnership has worked together to produce and pilot a revolutionary cross-border, evidence-based solution that supports the implementation of adaptation measures in challenging, uncertain environments. The STAR2Cs solution is comprised of tools and products that support development of adaptation pathways, assessment of stakeholder knowledge and engagement, co-creation, and long-term planning.

Partners built on cross-border experience and expertise, existing data and tools, technical and nature-based solutions, and academic research to develop the STAR2Cs solution. Working together to develop the solution has ensured that it is highly flexible, transferable, and able to be embedded in decision-making processes internationally. The partnership has drawn on the different experiences, approaches and the expertise of each organisation to achieve this.