Co-funded by the European Climate Foundation (ECF) and INZEB, our new project, “Helping Homes Become Resilient in Climate-Affected Greece,” explores the intersection of climate resilience, social equity, and sustainable renovation, with a focus on regions most affected by recent climate-related disasters: the Thessaly floods and the Crete earthquake.
This initiative aims to reimagine the concept of “home” not simply as a physical structure, but as a powerful symbol of safety, dignity, and psychological recovery. Through a human-centered lens, the project investigates how communities experience the process of rebuilding after trauma, and how renovation policies can become more emotionally resonant, inclusive, and socially just.
The research adopts a citizen science methodology, integrating quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews with households whose homes were damaged by extreme weather events. It examines emotional well-being, levels of trust in institutions, perceptions of safety, and the willingness to engage in resilience-oriented renovations.
The project works in close collaboration with local authorities and community-based organisations (CBOs) to identify and engage affected households. Surveys gather data on renovation experiences, energy poverty, and emotional and psychological responses. At the same time, interviews with a gender-balanced and socioeconomically diverse sample offer deeper insights into the social impact of recovery. These findings will be translated into targeted policy and communication outputs, including policy briefs, digest reports, media toolkits, and storytelling content to inform EU, national, and local-level strategies.
Centering the voices and experiences of affected communities, this project aims to shape a renovation agenda that is technically sound, socially inclusive, and rooted in human resilience.
