© TiCCA4DANU Vienna, Austria — 27 June 2025
How can cities strengthen their response to climate change while learning from others facing similar challenges?
In this TiCCA4DANU interview, Mariann Andorkó, Urban Development Lead Expert at EDC Debrecen Urban and Economic Development Center (Hungary), shares Debrecen’s perspective as one of the project’s pilot city-regions and reflects on the value of collaboration, peer learning, and expert exchange in climate change adaptation.
Mariann explains that Debrecen joined TiCCA4DANU to strengthen its capacity to address climate challenges more effectively. Like many cities, Debrecen is facing knowledge gaps and experience gaps when it comes to designing and implementing climate adaptation measures. Through the project, the city aims to learn from experts and partners across the Danube Region while also contributing its own local perspective.
A key takeaway from the first TiCCA4DANU General Assembly was the opportunity to reflect more clearly on Debrecen’s own strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities in the field of climate adaptation. Such exchanges help cities better organize their thinking, build on what has already been started locally, and identify where further action and cooperation are needed.
Mariann also highlights an important insight from the project discussions: valuable examples are not only found across borders, but also closer to home. Referring to the example of Szombathely, she notes that cities can sometimes overlook important lessons and opportunities within their own national context. Recognizing these “hidden treasures” can open new paths for cooperation and shared learning.
This interview underlines one of the core strengths of TiCCA4DANU: bringing together cities, regions, and experts to co-create more effective, place-based approaches to climate change adaptation. By connecting local needs with transnational learning, the project supports pilot territories like Debrecen in building stronger foundations for long-term resilience.
Watch the full interview below and learn more about Debrecen’s perspective within TiCCA4DANU.
👉🏻 Learn more about TiCCA4DANU:
https://www.ticca4danu.eu/
