Building Climate-Ready Cities: Collaboration at the Heart of the Be Ready Final Conference

On 22 April 2026, the city of Chișinău hosted the final conference of the Be Ready project, organised by our partners from Direcţia Generală Arhitectură, Urbanism şi Relaţii Funciare — an important European initiative dedicated to helping cities adapt to climate change and strengthen their resilience. Nearly 80 participants from 14 countries and 20 cities gathered for this milestone event, creating a dynamic space for dialogue, exchange, and collaboration between local authorities, experts, and policymakers.

The conference was honored by the presence of Ion Ceban, Mayor of the city of Chișinău, whose participation highlighted the strong commitment of the city to climate action and the importance of the Be Ready project at both local and European levels. Throughout the day, discussions made it clear that this initiative goes beyond technical solutions — it is fundamentally about people, partnerships, and shared progress. As Mrs. Julda Kielyte, Team Leader for Competitive and Inclusive Growth, Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova, emphasized, “projects like Be Ready play a crucial role for social cohesion, for building community, and transferring good practices between countries,” underlining the project’s role in connecting cities and strengthening cooperation across borders.

A central theme of the conference was urban heat — a growing challenge for cities across Europe. Participants explored how to better understand and measure heat in urban environments and, more importantly, how to turn that knowledge into practical action. The discussions highlighted that meaningful progress does not always require large-scale investments. As Mr. Ilie Ceban, Deputy Mayor of Chișinău Municipality, pointed out, “you need to start with what you have, at a small scale, and build capacity step by step.” This practical approach demonstrated that even smaller cities with limited resources can take effective steps toward climate adaptation.

Another key message was the importance of sharing knowledge and experience across countries. The Be Ready project has created valuable opportunities for cities to exchange ideas, test solutions, and learn from one another. Mrs. Marina Lungu, Head of Climate Change Policy Secion, Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Moldova highlighted this impact, noting that the project has provided “an opportunity to exchange and share innovation, expertise, and practical solutions, creating a shared vision of how to achieve” effective climate mitigation. This kind of collaboration allows cities to move faster and more confidently, building on proven approaches rather than starting from scratch. At the same time, participants recognized that one of the most meaningful achievements has been the ability to work together more effectively. Reflecting on this, Ilie Ceban described “learning to work together” as one of the most valuable outcomes of the project.

Overall, the conference showed that while European cities may differ in size and resources, they are united by common challenges and a shared direction. The Be Ready project has played a key role in bringing them together, fostering collaboration, and turning ideas into action. It has been demonstrated that resilience is not built alone — it is achieved through partnerships, exchange, and a collective commitment to change.

Although the conference marked the conclusion of the project, its impact will continue to grow. The connections formed, the knowledge shared, and the solutions developed will support cities in their ongoing efforts to adapt to climate change. The journey will continue with a celebratory milestone: the project’s finale will be marked by the first climate festival in Sofia, bringing the conversation closer to citizens and encouraging broader community engagement. Be Ready may be reaching its final chapter, but its mission lives on — in every city that continues to collaborate, innovate, and take action toward a more resilient future.