Introduction
The Badajoz Province Living Lab (LL),developed within the PRO-CLIMATE project, is rooted in the context of southwestern Spain, a cross-border region (NUTS 3)defined by its rural character, agricultural dependence, and vulnerability to climate extremes. Situated in the province of Badajoz, which is part of the autonomous community of Extremadura, the LL operates within a landscape marked by rising temperatures, heatwaves, extended droughts, and the degradation of vital ecosystems such as the Dehesa. Furthermore climate impact worsens demographic issues.
The region also contends with socioeconomic challenges including rural depopulation, lack of funds to modernize the rural infrastructure, and fragmented governance across local and regional levels. Despite these difficulties, the Diputación of Badajoz (Badajoz Provincial Council) offers a strong institutional platform through its network of 14 territorial delegations, which play an important role in supporting place-based responses to climate change. At present, the Diputación of Badajoz (Badajoz Provincial Council) is drafting its Provincial Adaptation Plan (ADAPTA Clima) for the next period.
Key Contextual Challenges in the Badajoz Province Living Lab
Environmental challenges
Rising temperatures and drought stress water supply and agricultural productivity, especially within the Dehesa. Extreme weather contributes to flooding,erosion and wildfire. Biodiversity loss is accelerating due to shifting climate patterns and changing land uses.
Socio-Demographic Dynamics
Depopulation and ageing communities undermine social cohesion and adaptive capacity. Outmigration of youth leads to reduced innovation potential and land abandonment. Digital exclusion persists in rural areas.
Governance Constraints
Fragmented governance limits coordination across levels. Weak vertical policy integration and low trust in public institutions hinder participation and policy uptake.
Despite these challenges, the Diputación of Badajoz (Badajoz Provincial Council) plays a key role in fostering coordination and supporting municipalities across the province.Through its wide network of administrative delegations, it provides technical, logistical, and political support to local authorities, creating a valuable entry point for inclusive and place-based adaptation.
Opportunities for Systemic Change
The contextual analysis (enriched through participatory workshops and interview, among municipal officials, researchers, and civil society actors) identified multiple opportunities for systemic change. Among these, the Dehesa ecosystem stood out as a cultural and ecological cornerstone. While increasingly threatened by climate impacts and changing land-use patterns, stakeholders recognised its multifunctional value and its potential to serve as a model for climate-smart agroforestry sustainable tourism and nature-based solutions.
Participants also underscored the untapped capacity of women and youth in rural innovation. Their limited participation in political, economic, and land-use decisions was seen as a challenge, but also as an opportunity for strengthening inclusive leadership and intergenerational resilience.
Further, several grassroots initiatives around sustainable tourism, circular economy, and regenerative agriculture were presented as viable alternatives to conventional development models. These community-led efforts reflect both a cultural shift and practical avenues for economic diversification and climate adaptation.
Lastly, there was consensus on the importance of aligning local actions with broader policy frameworks (such as the Spanish CSR Plan, Second National Plan for Climate Change Adaptation 2021-2030, Extremadura Energy and Climate Plan 2020-2030 and Agenda 2030) to enhance coherence, visibility, and access to funding. In fact, PRO-CLIMATE project is included in the II Sustainable Development Strategy of the Diputación of Badajoz (Badajoz Provincial Council) aligned with the 2030 Agenda.
Stakeholder Landscape and Roles
The governance landscape of Badajoz province is decentralised and layered. At the regional level, institutions such as the Junta de Extremadura (Regional Goverment of Extremadura) a provide strategic policy direction and funding instruments. At the provincial level, the Diputación of Badajoz (Badajoz Provincial Council) supports coordination, capacity-building, and technical assistance to municipalities. These actors represent the formal backbone of adaptation planning.
On the ground, implementation is led by entities such as the Mancomunidades (Association of Municipalities in certain fields ;e.g., Olivenza, Guadiana, Sierra Suroeste) and the Federación de Municipios y Provincias de Extremadura (Federation of Municipalities and Provincies of the Extremadura,FEMPEX). These bodies ensure local delivery but frequently face challenges related to technical capacity and financial stability.
Knowledge institutions including the Universidad de Extremadura (Extremadura University), FUNDECYT-PCTEX, CICYTEX and CTAEX provide scientific and technical support. They play a central role in risk assessments, innovation testing, and alignment with EU research frameworks.
Civil society stakeholders such as AUPEX, Fundación Ciudadanía (Citizens Fundation), Consejo de la Juventud de Extremadura (Youth Council of Extremadura) and Plena Inclusión Extremadura (Plena Inclusión Extremadura Federation) are instrumental in supporting inclusion, local awareness, and trust-building. Their involvement ensures that vulnerable and underrepresented groups are part of the adaptation dialogue.
Economic and sectoral actors including Farmer´s Unions (e.g UPA-UCE, APAG Extremadura ASAJA) and Business Associations (e.g CREEX and among others) and regional tourism promoters bring the perspective of agriculture, business, and sustainable development.Their support is key to connecting pilot actions with livelihood needs and long-term economic resilience.
Finally, dissemination and outreach actors such as FEMPEX and the Red Extremeña de Desarrollo Rural (REDEX) facilitate communication, public awareness, and local coordination capacity – aligning with PRO-CLIMATE’s emphasis on behavioural change and civic mobilisation.
Relevant news items
Mérida Hosts First Physical Workshop to Launch Living Lab for Climate Adaptation in Badajoz Province
On March 25-26, 2025, the city of Mérida became the meeting point for regional and international experts, institutions, and local stakeholders as part of the
Third PRO-CLIMATE project meeting @ Badajoz
On February 4-5, 2025, the PRO-CLIMATE consortium gathered in Badajoz, Spain, for its 3rd project meeting, hosted by Diputacion de Badajoz. The meeting brought together