New KAPP funded projects: building capacities in disaster risk management

The meeting provided an overview of administrative guidelines and facilitated networking among diverse stakeholders interested in disaster risk management across various themes and countries.

The KAPP call for proposals co-finances projects aimed at enhancing cooperation among Member and Participating States on disaster prevention and preparedness (involving at least three countries) as well as full-scale field exercises. For 2024, the budget totalled EUR 11.8 million, covering prevention, preparedness, and full-scale exercises. From 53 applications (with a combined requested budget of EUR 44 million), 14 projects were selected, including two full-scale exercises.

The funded projects address single or multiple hazards: five under preparedness, seven under prevention, and two involving full-scale exercises. The consortia bring together organisations from 23 countries, with notably active participation from stakeholders in Italy, Greece, and Spain.

• BCD: Develops an evidence-based preparedness approach and enhances coordination through simulation exercises. It adapts the 'X-STOCK' concept, successfully piloted in the Balkans, enabling increased relief capacities shared among disaster management actors, coordinated by the Red Cross.
• Empower-Citizens: Develops and tests innovative solutions to incorporate citizen feedback and experiences from disasters and exercises into official preparedness plans. Citizen input, knowledge, and skills will be actively integrated into preparedness activities.
• CivPro-LiNC: Aims to complement and support the host nation support system by training civil protection personnel for cross-border coordination during  local and regional disasters. The project will train liaison officers and establish a liaison network to enhance preparedness and cooperation.
• RASTOOL-DoS: Develops a prototype ground-motion analysis service within the Copernicus Emergency Management Service, transforming data into actionable insights for improved risk management related to structural impacts.

• FIRE-SCENE: Creates new methodologies and tools for integrated risk governance to tackle extreme wildfires in the Mediterranean, especially in urban interfaces, tourist sites, and protected natural  areas.
• FirePlay: Tests novel ways of preparing citizens for wildfire risks through interactive games designed to raise awareness and preparedness.
• INLINE: Utilises Artificial Intelligence to enhance forecasting of convective storms and compound floods. Project outcomes will be integrated into the European Flood Awareness System (EFAS), providing civil protection authorities with advanced notifications.
• EMERGE: Enhances regional disaster management capacities through comprehensive, scenario-based seismic and landslide risk evaluation. The project will expand the CRISIS platform, facilitating rapid needs assessments for optimal resource prioritisation.
• AHEAD: Builds on previous work to create an information system for collecting and analysing post-disaster damage and loss data in Europe. It aims to support disaster risk reduction, climate adaptation measures, and detailed data modelling for damage to cultural heritage and natural ecosystems.