Co-Creation in Action: Adaptation AGORA’s Final Workshop in Dresden!

In the pilot region of Dresden Adaptation AGORA hosted its final Co-Creation Workshop, bringing together local stakeholders and citizens to reflect on progress and develop collaborative climate adaptation solutions. The event contributed to ongoing efforts aimed at enhancing Dresden’s capacity to address climate-related challenges.

Key Learnings
The workshop began with an overview of Adaptation AGORA’s engagement efforts since November 2023. Previous events provided valuable insights into local climate vulnerabilities. During the inception workshop and the focus groups soft adaptation solutions were co-created and engagement methods discussed. The session reinforced the importance of community-driven solutions and emphasized the need for inclusive, sustainable approaches.

Exploring Solutions in Thematic Groups
Participants worked in four thematic groups to co-create actionable climate adaptation strategies:
•Effective Climate Communication – This group focused on making climate adaptation messages clear, inclusive, and engaging for all communities while avoiding fear-based narratives.
•Participatory City Design – Inspired by feedback from people with disabilities and chronic illnesses, discussions centered on using digital tools like mobile apps to map essential urban features such as water stations and shaded areas.
•Educational Initiatives in Schools – Participants explored ways to involve climate adaptation experts in classrooms, fostering intergenerational learning and community engagement.
•Funding Climate Adaptation – Addressing financial barriers, this group identified alternative funding strategies, such as public initiatives and grassroots networks, to ensure long-term sustainability.

Charting the Future: Governance and Collaboration
A key outcome of the workshop was the introduction of sociocracy as a governance model to ensure inclusivity and effective decision-making within the climate adaptation network. Discussions centered on whether the network should evolve as an independent entity or integrate with existing structures in Dresden.
Moving forward, adaptationAGORA will continue working with stakeholders to develop a resilient, self-organizing framework for climate adaptation. The workshop highlighted the power of collaboration in tackling climate challenges, reinforcing adaptationAGORA’s commitment to co-creating sustainable, community-led solutions for Dresden and beyond.