Designing new ways of risk awareness and enhanced disaster preparedness

Worum geht es in dieser Ausschreibung?

The topic funds tools, methods and plans that raise public risk awareness and improve disaster preparedness, with inclusive participation of vulnerable groups. Projects are expected to reach technology readiness level 5.

Was fördert diese Ausschreibung?

Scope

Building on a whole-of-society and whole-of-government approach, the topic develops innovative tools, methodologies and frameworks to raise risk awareness and strengthen disaster preparedness. A key focus is including diverse perspectives and people in vulnerable situations (considering gender, disability and other social factors) in risk communication, and using accessible advanced technologies to improve public understanding of hazards. Projects should design and validate new approaches to risk perception and communication, including digital platforms, immersive technologies and participatory tools that encourage citizen engagement and behavioural change, informed by behavioural insights.

What proposals should address

• An innovative, interoperable solution for new risk awareness and disaster management strategies that supports collaboration between public authorities, civil society, local communities and the private sector, including a command-and-control system for centralised information management, coordination and rapid, data-driven decisions, and attention to early action from early warning.
• Comprehensive, multi-stakeholder preparedness plans covering all levels of governance, with mechanisms for cross-sector coordination and resource allocation, and innovative governance models for interoperability.
• Adaptive response frameworks with near real-time risk assessment, digital simulations and scenario-based exercises, which may use AI decision support (taking account of bias), digital twins including Destination Earth, and predictive analytics.
• Community-driven disaster risk reduction and a culture of preparedness. Where relevant, projects may take account of the European outermost regions and include entities from them.

Projects should carry out a stakeholder or market analysis and a plan for uptake, strongly consider international cooperation, learn from past disasters and align with EU policy, in particular the population preparedness chapter of the Preparedness Union Strategy and the preparEU initiative. Synergies with the Knowledge for Action in Prevention and Preparedness grants are recommended. Activities are expected to reach technology readiness level 5 by the end of the project.

Expected outcomes

Contributions to some or all of the following: tools to monitor and improve risk awareness across society; solutions that raise safety culture and community resilience, including protection of marginalised groups; inclusive preparedness plans involving all sectors and governance levels, covering early warning to early action and resource scarcity; and a resilient, adaptive response framework linking public authorities, communities and the private sector.

Wann endet die Einreichungsfrist?

5. November 2026

5 November 2026.