This Manual is organised around the six-step
Regional Adaptation Support Tool (RAST) framework developed by the
EU Mission on Adaptation.
Each step corresponds to a stage of the adaptation planning cycle and provides practical guidance on
how insurance can support climate adaptation at regional and local level.
You can read the Manual from start to finish, or use it as a modular resource and go directly to the step that matches your current needs.
Start where you are. If you are beginning an insurance-based adaptation process, start with Step 1. If you already have key elements in place, such as a completed risk and vulnerability assessment, stakeholder structures, or a shortlist of measures, you can move directly to later steps focused on solution identification, appraisal, or implementation.
Use each Step as a package. Each step includes:
- The purpose of the step and what it helps you achieve;
- The main outputs you should obtain by the end of the step;
- The links to SOTERIA resources (tools, templates, examples, summaries, case study insights, videos and podcasts) designed to support workshops and stakeholder processes.
Adapt the materials to your context. The case studies illustrate how regions and local authorities have approached the process, but the tools and templates are intended to be tailored to different hazards, governance settings.social context and insurance markets.
Expect iteration. The process is not linear. You may need to return to earlier steps to strengthen the evidence base, refine assumptions, or address feasibility barriers:
- If protection gaps are not yet clearly identified, you may need to revisit risk assessment, data mapping, or loss data structuring.
- If candidate solutions are not viable or not context-fit, you may need to revisit the barriers analysis and solution design work.
- Monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) supports continuous improvement and may trigger broader revision cycles over time.
Combine the
Platform with the Manual. Use the Manual for structured reading and offline guidance, and the Platform for quick navigation, interactive access to the resource library, and updated materials. The Platform is designed as a living repository that can be enriched over time with new resources, including from other relevant projects and initiatives.
A practical quick-start pathway is also provided in the
SOTERIA Roadmap for Regions and Local Authorities.
The figure below provides an overview of the full six-step process, the key activities within each step, the expected outputs, and the iteration loops that support learning and continuous improvement.
