Our goal

Improved disaster resilience.

Rationale for the support

Most European countries are vulnerable to disasters arising from climate change, urbanisation, demographic pressure, intensive land use, or infrastructure being located in areas that are prone to flooding, droughts, heatwaves, fire, or earthquakes. They are also becoming susceptible to emerging risks related to the accelerated introduction of new technologies, the green transition, geopolitical tension and conflict, and the consequences of war in Europe. Socially deprived and densely populated areas are particularly at risk, with women and girls and disadvantaged groups disproportionally affected.

The programme area aims to increase the capacities of Beneficiary States in analysing emerging vulnerabilities and hazards, enhancing disaster prevention, promoting risk awareness, upgrading civil preparedness, and strengthening crisis management anticipation and adaptation mechanisms.

It will contribute to improving disaster resilience in line with national strategies, EU Disaster Resilience Goals and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015–2030), as well as international standards established by intergovernmental organisations.
 

Areas of support

  • Risk and vulnerability competence and capacity building at national, regional or local level.
  • Prevention of risks and vulnerabilities, including in relation to new technologies and the green transition.
  • Disaster resilience in all sectors and at all levels of society.
  • Chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) safety and security.
  • International and cross-border cooperation, learning and development, including effective risk management implementation.
  • Gender- and youth-sensitive disaster risk management.

How the objective will be addressed

Investments in disaster risk reduction and mitigation are more cost-effective than post-disaster rebuilding and recovery efforts. Implementation of international standards and guidelines on disaster risk governance that facilitate efficient risk reduction measures should be supported.

Taking a whole-of-society perspective, the programme area focuses on enhancing risk governance and contingency planning. This will be achieved by improving the understanding of disaster risks and hazards, including lack of information integrity; investing in disaster risk reduction; capacity building and training for strengthened civil protection; sustainable safety; and security measures. This includes investment in innovative tools and technology such as multi-hazard early warning systems, cyber security, and defence against hybrid threats. Other civil protection measures can also be supported.

As disaster impacts often reflect and reinforce gender inequality, the programme area should include support to gender- and youth-inclusive approaches for better disaster risk management. It should also support efficient coordination between authorities at every level and the sharing of good practices, including the use of international networks.
 

Key actors and beneficiaries

The most relevant actors are all levels of government, including decision makers, emergency response and planning authorities, and law enforcement. Other relevant actors are civil society organisations, international organisations, local communities, educational and research institutions, and the private sector.

Communities and groups in vulnerable situations who are most exposed to disasters will also benefit.