The European Urban Resilience Forum (EURESFO), now in its 13th edition, gathers city representatives, experts, and stakeholders from local and regional institutions to exchange strategies on climate change adaptation, disaster risk management, and urban resilience. Launched over a decade ago, it has established itself as a key European platform for these discussions, organized by ICLEI Europe and the European Environment Agency (EEA).
The 2026 event, set for 17-19 June in Guimarães, Portugal—designated as the European Green Capital for 2026—shifts focus to integrated approaches to climate resilience that extend beyond traditional adaptation. Drawing from Guimarães's history of weaving sustainability into its cultural and urban planning, the forum emphasizes the leadership of small and medium-sized cities. These cities, with their proximity to citizens, offer scalable bottom-up strategies applicable worldwide. Discussions will center on four thematic streams, though specifics remain forthcoming, building on prior editions' topics like justice and inclusion, polycrises such as heatwaves and water challenges, nature-based solutions, finance strategies, governance in polarized contexts, and data-driven actions.
Targeted at urban policymakers, resilience practitioners, and regional leaders, the forum facilitates peer learning through panels, workshops, and a marketplace showcasing tools, projects, and resources. Held at Pavilhão Multiusos de Guimarães, it is free to attend but in-person only, with limited capacity. Expected outcomes include actionable insights for resilience-building, strengthened networks, and a call for bids to host the 2027 edition, fostering ongoing momentum across Europe.