Where there is partnership, there is a way
The Call for Proposals on Knowledge Network Partnerships was launched to consolidate the role of the Knowledge Network as an inclusive space for shared knowledge, expertise, good practices and networking.
By Knowledge Network – Staff member
Against a backdrop of complex, widespread and simultaneous natural and human-induced disasters, knowledge can be a game changing card. Cooperation and partnerships at local, regional and international level are key in disseminating, testing and exchanging knowledge. To do this, civil protection actors, from field practitioners and volunteers to scientists and decision-makers, need to come together and identify needs, gaps and priorities in knowledge of risk and disaster management.
The mission of the Union Civil Protection Knowledge Network is to make this happen and the Calls for Proposals on Partnerships are just one of its tools.
The pilot Call for Proposals on Knowledge Network Partnerships was launched in April 2020 to consolidate the role of the Knowledge Network as an inclusive place for shared knowledge, expertise, good practices and networking. Thanks to a collaborative approach with thematic and geographical linkages, project proposals would contribute to shaping the Knowledge Network.
The eleven selected projects got underway in January 2021 for an 18-month period. The total budget for all projects is almost EUR 2.8 million, with the EU co-financing up to 85% of the projects’ eligible costs.
The projects focus on a range of natural and manmade hazards and disasters: forest fires (AFAN), earthquakes (L2BR), pandemics (IPP) and preparedness against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear emergencies (NET-CBRN REACT). Others adopt a multi-hazard approach (CRISPRO) and propose Artificial Intelligence solutions (ARTION), integrated approaches (INDIMA), innovative educational and awareness tools (RESISTANT), and new doctrines (ROADMAP) in disaster management. Some projects have specific geographic focus (DiMaND in the Danube region; HEUREKA in the Middle East), while others cover a Europe- or Neighbourhood-wide spectrum.
Whether a university, civil protection agency or expert organisation, for our consortium it was clear from the beginning. This funding scheme finally focuses on the most pressing topic in disaster management: the translation of scientific research into operational capabilities. But HEUREKA does not only contribute to enabling this to happen, it is also changing the relation between the civil protection in the Middle East and the EU into a stronger, more equal partnership for the whole region and beyond. Furthermore, the exchange of valuable knowledge in Disaster Risk Management will help
The diversity in topics, areas of work and geographical focus is coupled with the projects’ varying size, country representation and geographical coverage. Coming from 19 UCPM Member States, three Participating States and ten third countries, the project partnerships include national civil protection authorities, local governments, centres of excellence, research centres, public policy institutes, national Red Cross societies, universities, associations of volunteers and fire and rescue services among others.
For a team of scientists like us at the IHU, aware of the devastating experiences in Greece (Mati, Athens in July 2018 and Mandra, Attica in November 2017), knowledge and awareness during the critical moments of a disaster can save lives. People need to know how to act and how to protect themselves when confronted with disasters. This is what triggered our participation in this Call for Proposals. Plato the Greek philosopher said “Knowledge is life” and we, at the IHU, strongly believe that knowledge saves lives. Project RESISTANT is now walking the talk.
All the projects are committed to building a true network by joining forces, linking and creating synergies among their activities. For example, RESISTANT recently offered advice to ARTION on their training material, with ARTION making that material available to RESISTANT for them to use in their dissemination activities. The two projects are currently discussing the idea of a joint workshop.
The second Call in March 2021 sharpened the focus on a key activity of the Knowledge Network – the thematic communities, that is multinational and multidisciplinary expert groups that bring together different profiles of practitioners and researchers active in disaster prevention, preparedness and response. Thematic communities can focus on a specific natural or human-induced hazard, a cluster of hazards or particular preparedness and response scenarios while considering wider horizontal priorities such as digitalisation, greening, resilience and gender.
ARTION aims to design, develop, implement and test Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms for specific disaster scenarios including forest fires, floods, and earthquakes. Novel AI technology in support of first responders can assist the management of such disasters. The wealth of data first responders are increasingly able to collect can prove invaluable in disaster management and reduce significantly the risk and impact of disasters. ARTION delivers open access material, such as datasets and algorithms that may be exploited by other researchers and stakeholders.
While the Knowledge Network online collaborative platform will provide a space for thematic communities, the 2021 Call for Proposals also gives interested applicants the possibility to establish centres of expertise as the thematic communities’ “physical place”.
Applicants were invited to conceptualise and set up thematic communities and centres of expertise as well as design and implement capacity-development, scientific and research activities. The application period ended in June 2021 and the newly selected projects will begin in January 2022 for a period of 18 months.
The INDIMA consortium recognises the Knowledge Network as a very innovative way to develop new basic approaches, methods and processes in modern disaster management and make them useable for the community of disaster managers and authorities. We see INDIMA as an opportunity to share experiences and know-how between partners inside and outside the project and interact with other institutions and experts to contribute to a better UCPM.
The Union Civil Protection Knowledge Network was established on the premise that knowledge can make a difference in how the civil protection and disaster management communities can prevent, prepare for, and respond to disasters. Our project consortia partners have shown their willingness to test, exchange and share knowledge by coming together under the Knowledge Network Partnerships Calls for Proposals. Where there is a will – and partnership – there is a way.
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.