At the FEDARENE General Assembly 2026, held in Modena from 19 to 21 May 2026, GOLEA also presented the HeatIslands Adapt project to the international professional audience. The project is being implemented within the framework of the Interreg VI-A Italy–Slovenia Programme 2021–2027. The project was presented by Suzana Vidmar Kovšca, who highlighted the importance of the initiative in helping cities and settlements adapt to the increasingly visible impacts of climate change, especially the phenomenon of urban heat islands.
During the presentation, it was emphasized that the project brings together the expertise of Slovenian and Italian partners with the aim of developing joint cross-border solutions to improve the climate resilience of urban areas.
The pilot activities of the project were also presented, including the monitoring of temperature differences in urban environments, the identification of the most vulnerable areas, and the preparation of recommendations for spatial planning and adaptation measures. Special emphasis was placed on the importance of green infrastructure, increasing shaded areas, the use of sustainable materials, and the integration of climate considerations into urban development planning.
The presentation also highlighted the broader importance of the Interreg Italy–Slovenia Programme in promoting a joint cross-border response to climate challenges.
The presentation was followed by a discussion on the growing importance of adapting cities to heatwaves and the need to integrate climate resilience into local and regional development policies. It was particularly emphasized that similar projects will play a crucial role in the coming years in reducing the impacts of climate change on urban areas across Europe.
The European Federation of Agencies and Regions for Energy and the Environment (FEDARENE) has been connecting regional and local energy agencies, regions, and other organisations across Europe for more than three decades. Today, the organisation brings together more than 90 members from 24 European countries and actively supports cooperation, knowledge exchange, and the implementation of European projects in the fields of energy, climate action, sustainable mobility, and related areas.
The presentation of the project at the event represented an important opportunity for the international promotion of the project and for strengthening the visibility of cross-border cooperation between Slovenia and Italy in the field of climate resilience and climate change adaptation. At the same time, the event also enabled networking with other European regions and organisations developing similar approaches for creating more resilient, healthy, and sustainable urban environments.
