How can innovation help Europe adapt to climate change? And how can Europe help innovators to turn their climate adaptation ideas into implemented, effective, and financially sustainable solutions? Ecologic Institute researchers presented answers from the BRIGAID project to these questions at the 2019 European Climate Change Adaptation Conference, in Lisbon (Portugal), from 29 to 31 May 2019.

Ecologic Institute's Gerardo Anzaldua and Hugh McDonald participated in two BRIGAID-affiliated sessions at the biennial European Climate Change Adaptation Conference. The first session hosted a lively discussion between researchers, practitioners and policy makers on the exploitation of EU research project outputs. Here, members of the BRIGAID, BINGO, NAIAD, and CLARITY projects, as well as representatives from the European Commission's Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EASME) presented and discussed in small groups, identifying common challenges, best practice, and ways to maximise the impact of their projects. The group exchanged ideas on how the European research programmes and their requirements, as well as the structures and work plans of the funded projects, could be adapted to increase the impact of research and innovation activities. Participants recognised that, especially in the context of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction, exploiting the new and innovative ideas, methodologies, and solutions emerging from these projects is of crucial value, as their implementation could result in increased resilience, security and well-being for European citizens.

The second session took place at the conference's "Tool-shed" room, a place where participants could discover and try out new tools (e.g. software and methodologies) to address climate change and disaster risk. Here, BRIGAID demonstrated three tools developed within the project: the Testing and Implementation Framework (TIF), the BRIGAID Market Analysis Framework (MAF+) and the Climate Innovation Window (CIW). Ecologic Institute led the development of the MAF+, which is an online collaboration system that enables innovators to identify business opportunities, define their market, recognise and evaluate their competitors, and conceive a suitable business model. The MAF+ aims to trigger change in European innovation by getting innovators, researchers and budding entrepreneurs comfortable with putting business development and marketing concepts into practice. The session featured presentations from the BRIGAID project, followed by hands-on demonstration of the tools to the audience, who could try out the MAF+ themselves.

BRIGAID

BRIGAID is a four year (2016-2020) Horizon 2020 research project that aims to bridge the gap between prototype and market for climate change adaptation innovations. It supports innovators to test and implement their innovation and develop their business. By developing practical tools and methods, BRIGAID aims to further climate adaptation innovation and ultimately reduce the impact of climate change in Europe. Ecologic Institute leads work on the project's business development and financing activities, developing practical strategy development tools for climate innovators, and supporting them with their use.