Download: D4.5 – capacity building – contents and outputs

Executive Summary
This document provides a strategic synthesis of the capacity building activities implemented during Phase 1 (M1–M36) of the LIFE CLIMAX PO project, highlighting their role in enabling climate change adaptation in the Po River Basin District.
During Phase 1, capacity building was conceived not as a set of isolated training actions, but as a structured and progressive process aimed at removing key barriers to adaptation, including knowledge gaps, institutional fragmentation and financial constraints. Activities focused on creating a shared understanding of technical and financial tools required to support the implementation of adaptation measures under the Italian National Climate Change Adaptatio Strategy (SNAC).

Capacity building targeted multiple levels and audiences. A strong emphasis was placed on internal capacity building within the project consortium, involving public authorities, technical bodies, research institutions and land and water
management organisations. This internal process was essential to align different competences, approaches and needs, and to strengthen a common vision and sense of ownership despite the diversity of roles within the partnership.
In parallel, capacity building activities were extended to external stakeholders through Stakeholder Boards and thematic initiatives, contributing to a wider dissemination of knowledge and to the consolidation of a shared technical and institutional framework at district level. Thematic capacity building focused in particular on soil management, conservation agriculture, water management and climate adaptation in urban and peri-urban contexts.

A key cross-cutting element of Phase 1 was the early and continuous attention to the financial dimension of adaptation. Issues related to complementary and additional funding were addressed from the outset, supporting both regional pogramming processes and the development of new shared project opportunities linked to SNAC implementation.
Overall, Phase 1 capacity building activities have created the enabling conditions for implementation, providing a solid foundation of skills, relationships and governance mechanisms. These outcomes position CLIMAX PO to effectively support the subsequent phases of the project and to contribute to the implementation of the National Adaptation Strategy (NAS, in Italian SNAC) and the National Adaptation Plan (NAP, in Italian PNACC) at river basin district level.