Open topic on citizen and regional and/or local authorities' engagement in enhanced disaster risk awareness, including education, and preparedness

The main goal of this opportunity is to strengthen disaster preparedness and risk awareness among citizens and local or regional authorities. It aims to create stronger cooperation and dialogue between scientific communities, stakeholders, policy-makers, and local communities to ensure research results are better used in practice. Projects should focus on developing practical tools and solutions for disaster preparedness or on building mechanisms that help share knowledge and lessons learned from past disasters. Learning from past experiences and improving future responses are key priorities. Participation is open to organizations from at least three different EU Member States or Associated Countries.

• Projects must include as beneficiaries at least 2 regional/local authorities, 2 organizations representing citizens or communities, and 2 first responders or disaster management authorities.
• All participating organizations must come from at least 3 different EU Member States or Associated Countries.
• If using satellite-based data, projects must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS systems.
• Projects should focus on either developing tools/solutions for disaster preparedness and awareness, or mechanisms to improve knowledge sharing and uptake of research results.
• Projects must plan for demonstration, testing, or validation, and describe how their outcomes can be scaled up in the future.
• Projects should build on previous research but avoid duplicating past efforts.

Examples:

• A project that develops a mobile app for citizens to receive real-time disaster alerts, involving local authorities, community groups, and first responders from three different countries.
• A cross-border initiative that creates training workshops for disaster preparedness, bringing together NGOs, volunteer associations, and regional authorities to share best practices and lessons learned.
• A partnership that sets up an online platform to connect scientists, policy-makers, and local communities for sharing research-based solutions to flood risks, tested in several EU regions.

• Personnel costs for project staff
• Travel and accommodation for project meetings and demonstrations
• Equipment and materials needed for project activities
• Costs for developing, testing, and validating new tools or solutions
• Communication and dissemination activities (e.g., workshops, publications, websites)
• Subcontracting for specialized services or expertise
• Costs related to the use of satellite data (if applicable)
• Training and capacity-building activities
• Administrative and management expenses directly linked to the project

Note: Eligible costs are paid as a lump sum. All expenses must comply with Horizon Europe lump sum rules and be directly related to the project activities.

• Budget for this Call: 12,000,000€
• Number of Grants attributed: 3
• Budget per grant: 4,000,000€

• Each project must involve at least 2 regional or local authorities, 2 organizations representing citizens or communities, and 2 first responders or disaster management authorities.
• All project partners must be from at least 3 different EU Member States or Associated Countries.
• Applicants must complete the required table about security practitioners in the application form.
• If using satellite-based data or services, only Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS systems are allowed.
• Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) experts and institutions must be involved in the project.
• Proposals must follow the required page limits and layout as described in the Horizon Europe guidelines.
• Participation is limited to eligible countries as defined by Horizon Europe rules.
• Applicants must clearly explain how each project partner meets these requirements.