Voices of Resilience – Futureproof
A conversation with the coordinators of the Futureproof-IE project in Ireland on its new national risk assessment methodology, which addresses horizon scanning for emerging risks.
By Knowledge Network – Staff member
The Futureproof-IE project, implemented by the Department of Defence of Ireland and the Dublin City University (DCU), has just developed a new national risk assessment methodology which addresses horizon scanning for emerging risks. With emerging risks threatening European resilience, it is crucial to identify and track new risk forms. This project is an excellent example of collaboration between a public administration and a university using data-driven research to inform policy and capacity-building to identify changing risks. The project was funded by the European Commission, under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism's Track 1 grants.
‘’The project provided a mechanism to track and monitor emerging risks, monitoring them and considering how we manage them’’.
Long-term, this mechanism will be embedded in the national risk methodology and form the basis for integrating horizon scanning into policy. Communication about the project’s report also facilitated conversations to broaden risk perception with EU Member States, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), horizon scanning community, and emergency responders. Even further, this novel approach became a policy reference due to the strong governmental interest.
‘’This project identifies emerging risks and embeds them into national risk methodology; it is fully replicable across EU States and beyond’’ .
Key partners' engagement was significant as all government departments identified risks and provided input. DCU, with whole of government support through the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, developed an online public survey to assess public risk perception and to form evidence-based recommendations for risk management. The population ranked how likely it was that key risks would trigger a national emergency. Cyber-attack, anti-microbial resistant infection, disruption to critical supply chain, and pandemics were ranked as the most likely risks to create a national emergency that would disrupt society.
‘’A statistically significant sample of 907 people answered the public survey, meeting one of the EU objectives to engage the public in national risk processes, and complementing input from risk experts’’
This project fostered very fruitful collaboration with the Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister of Ireland) and Chair of the Government Task Force, European Commission, and OECD High-Level Risk Forum to develop a systemic approach to the management of emerging risks. The expertise and management at national, EU and OECD levels created strong synergies. This project delivered beyond expectations by creating a strong strategic risk management process and high governmental and public engagement across Ireland.
‘‘The quality of people and expertise across all levels had a phenomenal influence on the work, and it is very comforting to know that risk is being managed appropriately’’
The project partners underlined the value of the support provided by the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) with funding and opportunities for sharing good practices on the EU Disaster Resilience Goals. The project outcomes were shared with the Union Civil Protection Knowledge Network.
Author: Claire Coviaux, DG ECHO B.3, Prevention and Preparedness Capacity-Building Unit
2 Likes
About the author
The Knowledge Network – Staff member
The Knowledge Network editorial team is here to share the news and stories of the Knowledge Network community. We'd love to hear your news, events and personal stories about your life in civil protection and disaster risk management. If you've got a story to share, please contact us.