Heat Protection in Worms: Co-Creation, Advanced Trainings, and Funding Support for a Cooler Future

Nestled along the Rhine River, Worms ranks among Germany’s hottest regions. Recognition of rising temperatures led the city to develop a robust Heat Action Plan (Hitzeaktionsplan) and to expand its climate adaptation concept (KLAK) as one of the first cities of its size in Germany. Today’s focus now is the implementation: protecting vulnerable groups, strengthening funding support, and forging collaborative solutions to heat-related challenges. 

Why Worms Addresses Heatwaves Through Co-Creation 

Frequent heatwaves—some topping 39°C—threaten Worms’ 86 000 residents, particularly the older people, children, and socially disadvantaged. The city’s heat action plan (in line with Worms climate adaption plan) prioritises community-driven measures: from warning system for older adults living alone (the “Hitzetelefon”) to on-the-ground workshops ensuring vulnerable groups shape each solution and social organisations themselves rise to the challenge of heat waves.  

This inclusivity is consistent with Worms’ long-term approach of weaving climate adaptation directly into all municipal strategies. 

^{Photos: Stadtverwaltung Worms}

Hands-On Workshops and Advanced Trainings 

A major highlight is the series of co-creation workshops held in senior citizen homes, kindergartens and community centres. Here, participants pinpoint real-life heat impacts and propose improvements—such as shading play areas or adjusting ventilation times.  

From these workshops, new communication material for the local heat network is developed and experts working with vulnerable groups get on board with the cities network. Complementing these workshops, Worms has introduced advanced trainings for the public (with more to come): 

• A “Garten und Streuobst” event (spring 2025) that helped outside workers, gardeners, and orchard owners share best practices on staying safe under the sun.
• The “Cool bleiben für Gruppen” session (20.05.2025) targeting sports clubs and trainers—empowering them to tailor schedules, adjust activities, and promote safe hydration. 

Supporting Additional Funding for Climate-Adapted Facilities 

Recognising that many social and health institutions lack resources to retrofit their buildings for scorching summers, Worms actively guides them in securing external grants. Through federal programs, for instance, local nursing homes or daycare centres can apply for climate-adaptation funding (to cover activities from improved ventilation to shading to new green areas).  

The city’s Heat Protection Coordinator convenes “funding workshops” to help each institutions shape compelling applications and share knowledge about design solutions; all coordinated within the Heat Protection Network. 

How Everyone Plays a Role 

Worms’ municipal departments, health agencies and local NGOs anchor the Heat Protection Network. Each targeted subgroup—such as senior services, childcare providers, or outdoor workers—receives tailored support, so that membership brings real benefits like training modules, expert guidance, and peer-exchange opportunities.  

A digital sign-up option enables organisations and individuals to commit to the network’s Heat Adaptation Charter; participants can also complete a self-evaluation form to reflect on their current practices and create a starting point for follow-up with the network manager.  

As more members sign on and adopt the Charter, the network refines citywide measures—like identifying shaded “cool spots” or expanding water refill stations. Ultimately, these partnerships not only help Worms better withstand heatwaves but also strengthen civic bonds through shared responsibility and hands-on collaboration. 

_{Photos : Rudolf Uhrig & Stadtverwaltung Worms} 

Main challenges in addressing heatwaves

• Rapidly intensifying heat: Worms is among Germany’s warmest regions and sees frequent “tropical nights.”
• Vulnerable populations: Seniors living alone, children in older buildings, and people experiencing homelessness need tailored interventions.
• Funding limitations: Many social institutions rely on external grants for building improvements and outreach campaigns.
• Sustaining momentum: Engaging and training community members each year is vital to keep heat adaptation efforts alive. 

Lessons learnt and next steps

• Deep local involvement works. Co-creation workshops and advanced trainings help frontline groups (e.g., caretakers, sports coaches) quickly implement real-world solutions.
• Funding support leads to meaningful action. By guiding institutions to specialised programs such as “AnpaSo,” Worms helps ensure that climate adaptation isn’t hindered by budget constraints and keeps decisionmakers motivated for the work within the network.
• Constant updates to the Heat Action Plan are important. Annual reviews ensure new scientific findings and experiences from recent heat events refine measures—like improved buddy systems or more advanced training modules. 

Next steps include expanding the Heat Protection Network, extending transdisciplinary partnerships with universities as well as European networks, and developing new approaches for the intersection of climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction. 

Replicability: 

Worms’ Heat Protection Network demonstrates how a city can unite governmental departments, social institutions, community organisations, and academic partners to safeguard residents from escalating heatwaves. By integrating inclusive governance, tangible incentives, and robust planning tools, Worms has built a flexible yet comprehensive model that local policymakers elsewhere can readily adapt to their own context. Below are six key strategies underpinning Worms’ success: 

1. Provide Tangible Benefits to Participants 
   Instead of relying on goodwill alone, Worms incentivises network members by offering advanced trainings, help with grant applications (e.g., “AnpaSo”), and co-creation workshops to refine heat adaptation solutions. This practical value spurs broad engagement—from small sports clubs to large care facilities—by addressing each partner’s specific needs.
2. Layered Adaptation Measures 
   Worms balances urgent interventions (buddy systems, distributing water) with mid-term awareness campaigns and advanced trainings, plus long-term improvements (e.g., greening public spaces, optimizing building design). This “layered” approach meets immediate needs while steadily embedding resilience into the city’s physical infrastructure.
3. Formalise a Multi-Stakeholder Heat Network 
   A digital sign-up system, coupled with a Heat Adaptation Charter, fosters collective ownership. Departments, NGOs, schools, and private actors each know their role, receive tailored materials, and stay connected via regular network meetings—making it easy to coordinate new projects and measure impact.
4. Target Vulnerable Subgroups With Tailored Solutions 
   The network partitions its work by subgroup—seniors living alone, childcare providers, or outdoor workers—so each group can plan suitable measures, such as specialised workshops or schedule adjustments. This flexible model can be replicated by any city that first maps its local vulnerabilities.
5. Combine Local Expertise and Resource Mobilisation 
   Partnerships with universities bring valuable research insights and training capacity, while city officials integrate multiple funding streams (municipal budgets, EU grants, national programs). Offering direct support to institutions—through application guidance and specialised consultation—ensures the money and know-how align for successful implementation.
6. Embed Heat Planning in Broader Climate Policy 
   Worms weaves its Heat Action Plan into a wider climate adaptation framework (KLAK), so lessons from advanced trainings or self-evaluation forms directly inform land-use codes and building guidelines. By linking short-term heat interventions with overarching urban development plans, cities can institutionalise heat resilience and secure sustained momentum. 

Worms' Refresh

Maximum temperature reached during extreme heat events: Worms has recorded peak temperatures exceeding 39°C in recent summers, with ever more frequent “tropical nights.” 

Solutions to address heat waves:

• Nature: Creating and maintaining shaded areas, improving green spaces, and reducing street-level heat
• Urban Design and Technology: Systematic heat adaptation and ventilation strategies in social facilities; using building upgrades (e.g., window film, shading) but also investigation potential of improvement in work processes as soft measures for climate adaptation
• Governance: Implementation of Worms’ Heat Action Plan (Hitzeaktionsplan) with well-defined roles, budgets, and an annual review; cross-departmental collaboration
• Community-driven: Participatory or co-creation workshops, advanced trainings for local stakeholders, and buddy-systems (e.g., “Hitzetelefon”) for older or single-living resident
  • Citywide Heat Protection Network (“Hitze.Sicher Worms”)
  • Participatory workshops (co-creation) with social institutions and residents
  • Advanced trainings on “Garten und Streuobst” and “Cool bleiben für Gruppen” (supporting sports clubs)
  • Dedicated support in obtaining grants (e.g., “AnpaSo”) for heat adaptation measures 

Expected results with the solutions implemented:  

• More inclusive and hands-on approach to climate adaptation, with widespread community participation
• Better protection of seniors, children, and socially disadvantaged groups through improved heat response plans
• Heightened local expertise and capacity, thanks to advanced trainings and knowledge exchange (e.g., with Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences and University of Heidelberg)
• Enhanced funding opportunities for social institutions to implement building upgrades, awareness campaigns, and more   

Covenant Figures 

Signatory to the Covenant of Mayors since: 2014

Emission reduction ambitions:  

• Overall CO2 emission reduction target:
• % GHG emissions reductions by 2030:
• % GHG emissions reductions by 2050:   

City Awards

• Pilot city for “Ready4Heat,” active in “Mayors Adapt” and the Climate Alliance