Coastal adaptation pilots

Overview

On the 28 January 2026 the Environment Agency and Defra announced £30 million investment for coastal adaptation pilots (CAPs). As part of these pilots, up to £12 million is available to help coastal authorities across England take practical steps needed to prepare for long‑term coastal change.

This guidance explains:

• the aims of the CAP
• who can apply
• the available funding
• eligibility rules
• the assessment process
• important dates and next steps

It also explains how to request the expression of interest (EOI) pack. This contains detailed instructions and the EOI forms you need.

Coastal adaptation pilots

The CAPs will run from 2026 to 2029. They aim to:

• support the places facing the greatest erosion risk
• test practical solutions that communities can benefit from now
• build the evidence needed to shape future national policy and long‑term funding

The pilots are divided into 2 parts:

Advanced coastal adaptation

Up to £18 million to support the continuation of advanced coastal adaptation projects in East Riding of Yorkshire, Suffolk and Norfolk. These areas face some of the highest erosion risks with experienced authorities who can act quickly.

Coastal adaptation readiness

Up to £12 million for actions across England, prioritised by Regional Flood and Coastal Committees (RFCCs). This is based on deprivation levels and the number of homes at highest erosion risk.

This guidance exclusively covers the £12 million of funding available for coastal adaptation readiness.

Available funding

This EOI guidance is for up to £12 million of coastal adaptation readiness funding. It supports practical actions that help places prepare for long‑term coastal change. The Environment Agency will arrange for all submissions to be prioritised by RFCCs. This will make sure pilots are aligned to erosion risk.

The coastal adaptation readiness actions are:

• community infrastructure adaptive solutions - activities which improve and replace damaged or at-risk community infrastructure (for example toilet blocks, beach access) to make it more resilient to future coastal erosion (this excludes any temporary or permanent defences)
• transitional use of land in coastal erosion zones (non-permanent uses only) - activities to repurpose land in coastal erosion zones where rollback has taken place
• coastal adaptation planning - activities which support and develop the local planning system to help a managed transition away from risk
• coastal authority delivery models and community support - activities to strengthen local authority capability and community support for coastal adaptation
• digital and technological tools for coastal adaptation - developing practical digital and technological solutions to improve the monitoring of, decision-making or planning for erosion

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for funding, proposals must demonstrate that they:

• address coastal erosion risk and focus on long‑term adaptation or transition, not emergency response or short‑term repair and maintenance
• align with the relevant shoreline management plan (SMP) and only be at locations with a ‘no active intervention’ or ‘managed realignment’ management approach – note that locations under review that are expected to change from ‘hold the line’ to either ‘no active intervention’ or ‘managed realignment’ will be considered
• are achievable within the 3‑year timeframe of 2026 to 2029 and show a clear ability to mobilise and complete on time
• provide value for money, with credible costs and clear, achievable benefits
• will develop learning that others can use, such as transferable methods, tools, processes or evidence
• include at least a 10% local funding contribution (non-flood and coastal erosion risk funding) to show local commitment

Funding is not available for:

• construction of new conventional coastal risk management assets, including formal engineered structures and temporary defences
• action which has been funded under other grant programmes
• recovery actions following a coastal erosion event during the lifetime of these pilots
• business-as-usual actions such as those normally expected of risk management authorities (RMAs) or required by statute
• actions undertaken in areas where SMP management approaches of ‘hold the line’ exist

Who can apply

Only coast protection authorities (CPAs) may lead applications and act as the accountable delivery body.

Partnership bids are encouraged. CPAs may work with organisations such as:

• community groups
• parish councils
• non-government organisations, for example charities or trusts
• academic partners
• coastal forums
• infrastructure bodies

Where partners are involved, applications should outline partner roles. The CPA remains accountable as the pilot lead.

Important milestones and dates

• spring 2026 – EOI application window opens and CPAs prepare and submit pilot submissions
• 30 June 2026 – EOI window closes
• summer / autumn 2026 – EOI assessment period including RFCC prioritisation
• autumn / winter 2026 – pilot projects announced, CAP outline business case development and approvals

How to make an expression of interest

Step 1 - request the EOI pack

Send an email to the official CAP email account to: coastaladaptation@environment-agency.gov.uk            

Use the email subject line: “CAP EOI Pack Request”.

Step 2 - read the EOI pack

The pack provides guidance, sets out requirements and timelines.

Step 3 - complete the EOI form

Use the guidance in the EOI pack to complete the EOI form. The CAP team will be available via email and will host regular webinars to support this. We encourage early engagement with your RFCC coastal member to support development of submissions.

Step 4 - prepare your supporting documents

Prepare all required supporting documents listed in the EOI pack. Your submission will not be considered without these documents.

Step 5 - submit your EOI

Send your completed EOI form and all required documents to: coastaladaptation@environment-agency.gov.uk

Use the email subject line: “CAP EOI Submission”

How we will assess applications

Step 1 - validation checks

The Environment Agency will check that EOIs contain the required information. Applicants may be contacted to clarify submissions.

Step 2 - technical panel assessment

An independent panel of subject matters experts, chaired by the Environment Agency, will score EOIs. This will be done against value and viability.

Value includes:

• expected public benefits
• alignment with SMP
• contribution to learning
• proportionality of costs

Viability includes:

• achievability within the timeframe
• organisational capability
• mobilisation plans
• risks and dependencies

Step 3 - RFCC prioritisation

RFCCs will rank submissions within their area, considering local priorities and erosion risk. This is currently planned to take place over summer 2026

Step 4 - moderation

The final selection will consider technical assessment scores alongside RFCC priorities. This will make sure there is a balanced portfolio of risks, locations, and adaptation actions, ensuring the overall pilot aims are met.

Step 5 - business case development

The Environment Agency will prepare an outline business case (OBC) for the selected pilots. Individual pilots will not be required to prepare OBCs.
After approval, the lead coastal authorities must develop a full business case (FBC) by March 2027.

Monitoring, reporting and learning

All funded pilots will need to:

• agree a monitoring and evaluation plan at mobilisation
• submit quarterly progress updates
• contribute to the pilot‑level evaluation led by the Environment Agency
• share results under an Open Government Licence (OGL), including data, tools, maps, methods and other outputs
• publish learning that other coastal authorities can use

Questions

If you have any queries, email coastaladaptation@environment-agency.gov.uk