SD WISHEES
Innovation Pathways
Bridging Cultural Heritage and Climate Action

What Are Innovation Pathways?

Innovation pathways describe the processes through which research and innovation (R&I) evolve from initial ideas into concrete, impactful solutions. These pathways encompass the development, implementation, communication, dissemination, and exploitation of knowledge, data, tools, and practices. They are the basis by which scientific results and innovative approaches are translated into effective responses to societal challenges.

In the context of climate change and cultural heritage,innovation pathways are particularly critical. They enable the adaptation and protection of cultural and natural heritage— tangible, intangible, and natural—to increasing hydroclimatic stressors such as floods, droughts, and heatwaves.

Drawing from conceptual frameworks in sustainability transitions and systems innovation, and building on the Nesta Innovation Spiral (Figure 1), SD-WISHEES understands innovation as a dynamic, multi-stage process, ranging from opportunity identification and idea generation to implementation, scaling, and systemic change.

Figure 1. Innovation Spiral illustrating the journey of an innovation from initial development to impact (NESTA, 2016)
Figure 1. Innovation Spiral illustrating the journey of an innovation from initial development to impact (NESTA, 2016)
Bridging Cultural Heritage and Climate Action
Nature valley
Cultural Heritage

Four types of Innovation Pathways

Within this framework, SD-WISHEES identifies four interlinked types of pathways:

● Technology development and adoption – fostering new tools, methods, and technologies that support adaptation and resilience.

● Capacity development – strengthening institutional, professional, and community competencies to apply innovations effectively.

● Policy influence – shaping regulatory, planning, and governance processes using R&I evidence.

● Fostering enabling environments – enhancing the institutional, financial, and social conditions needed to sustain innovation over time.

These categories are not mutually exclusive. Like the broad focus of R&I, they frequently overlap and reinforce each other across an iterative, often non-linear journey, from idea generation to the proposed systems-level change

Innovation Pathways in the
SD-WISHEES Project

SD-WISHEES (Supporting and Developing WIdening Strategies to tackle Hydroclimatic Extreme Events: impact and Sustainable solutions for cultural heritage) addresses the urgent need to protect cultural heritage from the growing impacts of climate extremes. Its core objective is to improve the interface between science, policy, and society by advancing and scaling up effective innovation pathways.

Work Package 6, and specifically Task 6.1, provides a foundational review and analysis of how R&I efforts—past and present—have led to the protection and sustainable management of cultural heritage in diverse contexts. By systematically examining instruments, mechanisms, and strategies already in use, SD-WISHEES aims to:

● Identify innovation pathways with proven or promising potential for uptake and scaling.
● Understand enabling conditions and persistent barriers.
● Inform future stakeholder engagement and co-design of solutions.
● Contribute to European and international objectives, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The project's methodological approach combines a structured desk review of scientific and grey literature with expert interviews. This has produced a robust evidence base of innovation pathways relevant to cultural heritage and climate adaptation, particularly regarding hydroclimatic extremes.

Innovation Pathways: Evidence from Practice

Out of more than 60 pathways identified, 17 were selected for in-depth analysis based on their maturity and potential for impact (aligned with stages 5–7 of the Nesta Innovation Spiral: implementation, scaling, and systemic change). These pathways span diverse projects, geographies, governance models, and types of cultural heritage. Here is a brief overview that highlights the dissemination and exploitation aspects of the 17 identified pathways:

Innovation Pathways

Innovation in dissemination and exploitation aspects

Pathway 1 – Projects: Protecht2Save & STRENCH

Developed risk assessment methods and tools to enhance the
transnational resilience of cultural heritage sites in Central Europe.

Provided multilingual risk tools and guidance manuals for local authorities. Organised awareness events and training to promote adoption and cooperation across borders.

Pathway 2 – Projects: ARCH & SHELTER

Co-developed digital tools and participatory approaches to improve climate resilience in historic urban districts.

Developed tools through local labs and peer-learning among cities. Fostered user engagement through inclusive design and regular feedback sessions.

Pathway 3 – Project: Climate Adaptation Nederland

A national platform integrating climate services for heritage adaptation, including risk mapping and adaptation options.

Used workshops and story maps to share risk information and adaptation options. Engaged provinces through trusted networks to embed tools in planning.

Pathway 4 – Project: Greek Climate Adaptation Hub

Disseminates data, tools, and good practices for managing climate impacts on heritage in Greece.

Promoted public and policymaker engagement through an interactive forum. Shared hazard maps and adaptation strategies via national and regional networks.

Pathway 5 – Project: Norway Adaptation Platform

Provides integrated information on climate risks and adaptation strategies, including for cultural heritage assets.

Shared climate risk data through a national platform linked to the heritage ministry. Highlighted historical adaptation practices to support broader learning.

Pathway 6 – Project: ROCK

Facilitated peer-to-peer learning among heritage cities, using demonstration sites and shared toolkits.

Community-driven / leadership approach to R&I and dissemination. Promotion of Scientific knowledge uptake at the local level and peer learning activities between/among case studies.

Pathway 7 – Project: CVI Africa

Piloted the Climate Vulnerability Index methodology and delivered capacity building in World Heritage sites across Africa.

Adapted a global method for local heritage sites with inclusive workshops. Trained African practitioners to independently apply and spread the approach.

Pathway 8 – Project: SMACH

Supported intercultural cooperation and knowledge exchange for heritage adaptation in the Balkan region.

Linked universities, governments, and NGOs through regional workshops. Built capacity and shared knowledge using tailored training sessions.

Pathway 9 – Projects: Urban Agenda & Cultural Heritage Observatory (EU)

Develops frameworks and indicators to integrate culture and climate adaptation in urban policy.

Engaged cities and experts to develop policy tools and indicators. Promoted evidence-based planning through networks and workshops.

Pathway 10 – Projects: PROMEDHE & ProCultHer

Delivered training programs to strengthen the disaster risk preparedness of heritage professionals.

Built expert networks and trained civil protection staff in heritage risk preparedness. Shared practical methods across countries via workshops and tools.

Pathway 11 – Project: Rainwatch

Offers real-time rainfall monitoring for rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa, supporting early warning systems.

Delivered simple rainfall visuals for local services in African countries. Enabled community-level use through trusted meteorological partnerships.

Pathway 12 – Project: MADFORWATER

Engineered water-saving technologies and governance approaches for drought-affected agricultural systems.

Involved local experts and farmers in evaluating water- saving technologies. Disseminated tools and recommendations through workshops and stakeholder meetings.

Pathway 13 – Projects: Terracescape & Stonewalls4Life

Validated traditional terraced landscapes and dry-stone walling as nature-based solutions for climate resilience.

Promoted traditional farming and walling practices through guides and hands-on training. Created decision tools and public materials to support replication.

Pathway 14 – Project: SustainOlive

Fostered agroecological practices in olive groves, integrating sustainability and heritage preservation.

Shared good practices through videos, handbooks, graphical abstracts and an online platform. Engaged farmers through webinars and demonstration events in the field followed by farmers testimonials.

Pathway 15 – Projects: EWA (SIGMA, SWAN) & Alter Aqua

Restored historical water infrastructure and promoted non-conventional water sources in Mediterranean islands.

Restored traditional water systems and promoted reuse through education campaigns. Built trust by working with local professionals and institutions.

Pathway 16 – Projects: NEXUS-NESS & SIGMA-NEXUS

Advanced integrated governance and innovation for the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems Nexus through participatory methods.

Used participatory methods and mentoring to co-develop Nexus tools. Encouraged local ownership and market uptake through peer-led outreach.

Pathway 17 – Project: Heritage Colombia (HECO)

Used a landscape-scale approach to integrate natural heritage conservation into national climate strategies.

Applied a landscape approach combining science, policy, and community input. Shared results through forums, training, and national planning channels.

Towards a Transformative Heritage-Climate Nexus

The pathways presented above demonstrate that adapting and protecting heritage from climate extremes is not only feasible—it is already underway. However, scaling these efforts requires stronger networks, sustained funding,
participatory governance, and greater integration with climate policy frameworks.

The SD-WISHEES project continues to work toward widening and replicating these innovation pathways, while identifying new ones. Future activities will engage stakeholders across sectors to explore and share approaches on co- designing scalable solutions, validating findings, and informing joint R&I agendas at the national and EU levels.

By identifying, analysing, and supporting innovation pathways, SD-WISHEES contributes to bridging science, policy, and practice, fostering the uptake of research and innovation outcomes for the adaptation and sustainable
protection of cultural heritage under climate stress.