MACC Hub: Awarded Projects

Summary

The MACC Hub Flexible Fund aims to catalyse transformational climate adaptation across the UK by supporting place-based projects that address local needs, reduce vulnerability and deliver practical, scalable solutions. We are excited to announce that ten projects have now been awarded funding, bringing together businesses, local authorities, policymakers, community groups and NGOs to tackle real-world adaptation challenges and generate learning that can inform future practice. 

Awarded projects

We’re thrilled to announce the ten projects that MACC Hub will be funding to learn by doing and advance transformational climate adaptation across the UK! These projects showcase a diverse range of approaches, geographies, and sectors, all united by a commitment to generating actionable insights and driving real-world impact. Together, they will help shape the future of adaptation by turning evidence into practice and scaling solutions that make a difference. 

Transforming dementia care through climate resilient built-environment systems  

Based in Wokingham, this project is led by Dr Amna Shibeika, University of Reading and Wokingham Borough Council.

This project examines how climate risks such as heatwaves, storms and power outages affect people living with dementia. It focuses on how housing, neighbourhoods and care environments can be better designed and managed to reduce vulnerability.

Through participatory workshops with carers and frontline staff, the project will develop a practical toolkit to assess climate risks and identify adaptation measures in dementia care settings. The work aims to support more proactive, resilience-focused care planning.

Cultivating resilience: integrating food justice and mental wellbeing 

Based in London, this project is led by Ben Rossington, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust (the host of Thrive LDN) and Women’s Environmental Network.

This project strengthens community-led climate adaptation by connecting local food initiatives with peer-led mental health support. Activities such as gardening, cooking workshops and community pantry services will help build resilience to climate-related shocks.

By combining wellbeing support with practical food and sustainability activities, the project aims to strengthen social connections, improve mental wellbeing and build community capacity to respond to climate challenges.

Playgrounds of possibility: youth-led visions of transformational adaptation 

Based in Leeds, this project is led by Dr. Susanne Lorenz, University of Leeds and Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission.

This project enables children to explore how extreme weather affects their everyday environments and to reimagine safer, more climate-resilient school playgrounds. Using creative and arts-based activities, pupils will share their experiences and ideas for adapting outdoor spaces.

Children will work with researchers and practitioners to develop practical solutions that address heat, flooding and other climate risks. The project will produce tools and resources to support schools in involving pupils in climate adaptation planning.

Preventing avoidable demand on the healthcare system during summer heatwaves 

Based in Lambeth, this project is led by Dr. Yijing Li, King’s College London and Big Local North Brixton.

This project addresses the growing pressure that extreme heat places on urban healthcare systems. It examines how vulnerable residents interact with services during heat events and identifies opportunities for earlier intervention to prevent illness from escalating.

By mapping care pathways and working with community and health partners, the project will co-design practical prevention measures. The work aims to develop a scalable model for reducing heat-related healthcare demand during future heatwaves.

Adapting together: building local resilience through lived experience and partnership 

Based in West Sussex, this project is led by Professor Rebecca Elmhirst, The University of Brighton and West Sussex County Council.

This project places lived experience at the centre of local climate adaptation planning. It works with residents in neighbourhoods vulnerable to extreme heat to understand how climate risks are experienced in everyday life.

Through participatory workshops and community engagement, residents will help identify priorities and co-design practical adaptation solutions. The project will also develop an engagement framework to support inclusive climate planning in other areas.

Adapt-Ed: climate adaptation through education 

Based in Sheffield, this project is led by Lee Jowett, Sheffield Hallam University and The Green Estate.

This project addresses a gap in UK climate education by focusing on how schools can prepare pupils for climate impacts, rather than only reducing emissions. Working with primary schools in disadvantaged areas of Sheffield, it integrates climate adaptation into everyday learning and school planning.

Through place-based activities exploring flooding, drought, overheating and nature-based solutions, pupils will build understanding of local climate risks and possible responses. The project will evaluate how adaptation education shapes children’s environmental attitudes, sense of agency and engagement with climate action.

Co-designing climate adaptation for Anglesey with people with learning disabilities 

Based in Wales, this project is led by Dr. Satish BK, Cardiff University and Play:Disrupt.

This project explores indoor overheating in homes in Anglesey, focusing on people with learning disabilities who are often overlooked in climate planning. Participants will act as co-researchers to document how overheating is experienced and managed in everyday life.

Combining environmental monitoring with creative and participatory methods, the project will link sensor data with lived experience. The findings will inform practical guidance and tools to support housing providers, policymakers and support organisations in addressing overheating risks.

Act Together to Adapt: scaling community-led adaptation through institutional change 

Based in England, this project is led by Professor Daniela Schmidt, University of Bristol and Somerset Wildlife Trust.

Many communities are developing local climate adaptation plans, but these often struggle to influence formal decision-making processes. This project explores how community-led adaptation can be better integrated into local governance.

Through collaboration with communities and local authorities, the project will identify barriers and develop practical mechanisms to embed community priorities into planning and policy processes. The work aims to strengthen local resilience while supporting more inclusive climate governance.

Building resilience, building community: empowering vulnerable communities for climate action 

Based in Scotland, this project is led by Dr. Konstantinos Tomazos and Dr Andrea Tonner, University of Strathclyde and Together Reaching Higher.

This project focuses on strengthening climate resilience in a highly vulnerable urban community facing challenges including poverty, housing insecurity and climate risks. Residents and young people will be supported to explore how climate impacts affect their daily lives.

Using participatory activities such as storytelling and mapping, community members will co-develop locally relevant adaptation strategies. The project will build local leadership while producing practical insights for supporting vulnerable communities in climate action.

Brink! hedge school: culture, history and place for local adaptation 

Based in Northern Ireland, this project is led by Professor John Barry, Queen’s University Belfast and Brink! 

This community-led project explores how culture, heritage and local knowledge can support climate adaptation. Underused urban spaces will be transformed into places for learning, growing food and sharing skills.

Through workshops, storytelling and practical activities, residents and community groups will develop ideas for strengthening local resilience. The project aims to generate transferable insights for place-based and culturally grounded approaches to climate adaptation.

Next steps

Massive congratulations to all ten funded projects and their teams for their ambition, creativity and commitment to advancing transformational adaptation. Over the coming year, these projects will deliver practical solutions, engage communities and generate valuable insights on what works in practice. The MACC Hub will synthesise learning, support collaboration and share insights to inform policy, practice and future adaptation strategies. We look forward to seeing the impact of these projects and sharing their learning with the wider adaptation community. 

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