This research project assesses the EU’s efforts to mainstream climate change adaptation in its development assistance towards Sub-Sahara Africa. Using different theoretical perspectives – public administration, framing analysis and governmentality theory – the main aim of this research is to (i) understand the policy arrangements made in order to mainstreaming adaptation in EU aid activities in detail and (ii) problematize these efforts by looking at the power effects that lie hidden within the discourse and the micro-political practices that shape EU mainstreaming.