ERNACT attends kick-off of €2.88m "Activ-N" Climate Resilience Project in Ourense

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Hosted by the University of Vigo, the kick-off meeting marks the start of a 30-month collaboration funded by the Interreg Atlantic Area

03 March 2026 - ACTIV-N project

Photo courtesy of the University of Vigo

ERNACT joined representatives from 20 European organisations this week for the official launch of Activ-N, an ambitious transnational initiative designed to protect the Atlantic Area’s most vulnerable populations from the escalating effects of climate change.

Hosted by the University of Vigo at its Ourense campus (Spain), the kick-off meeting marks the start of a 30-month collaboration funded by the Interreg Atlantic Area programme. With a total budget of €2.88 million, the project aims to bridge the gap between social inclusion and environmental risk management.

Putting People at the Heart of Climate Strategy
The project—formally titled Actions for Communities in Teleassistance and Integration of Vulnerable Populations Facing Natural Hazards—targets those most at risk during extreme weather events, including the elderly, people with disabilities, and those living in remote rural areas.

Rather than viewing these groups as passive recipients of aid, Activ-N seeks to transform them into active participants in climate resilience. ERNACT's Project Officer Michael McBride engaged in sessions focused on:

Integrated Teleassistance: Leveraging technology to provide early warnings and emergency support for floods, fires, and droughts.
Community Co-creation: Incorporating the "experiential knowledge" of local residents into regional safety protocols.
Inclusive Planning: Ensuring that digital exclusion or physical mobility challenges do not leave anyone behind during a climate crisis.

A Transnational Effort Led by the University of Vigo, the consortium includes 12 partners across Ireland, Spain, Portugal, and France. The meeting featured keynote addresses from university leadership and regional social service directors, who highlighted the particular challenges of population ageing and geographical dispersion in the Atlantic regions.

By the end of the 30-month term, Activ-N will deliver a suite of replicable tools, including rapid communication digital platforms and specific coordination protocols between health services, social workers, and civil protection authorities.

"The innovation here isn’t just in the technology," noted project lead Maribel Doval from the University of Vigo, during the opening. "It is in a shift of focus: moving from 'monitored people' to 'protagonists' who have a seat at the table in planning their own safety."

ERNACT's participation in this kick-off ensures our organisation remains at the forefront of European climate adaptation strategies, bringing back vital insights to apply to our local initiatives.

Click here to email Maixa Zabaleta at ERNACT for further information

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