On 21–22 September, 31 representatives from UNDERPIN partner organisations came together in Vienna, Austria, to reflect on the project’s progress, discuss the next steps and strengthen collaboration between Work Package leads and regions. The meeting provided a valuable opportunity for participants to engage in lively discussions, exchange ideas and share learnings, to support UNDERPIN’s successful implementation.

Markus Leitner, Head of Climate Adaptation and Resilience at the Austrian Environment Agency, contributed to the discussion highlighting the importance of clearly defined policy objectives as a foundation for meaningful MEL systems able to track processes and impacts in the medium and long-run. Drawing on more than a decade of experience in climate adaptation monitoring, he also emphasised the need to move beyond process indicators and generate more outcome-oriented evidence on implemented adaptation actions and resilience progress. He further stressed the need to strengthen links between climate risk assessments, adaptation objectives and monitoring efforts.