Open topic on Improving disaster risk management and governance to ensure self-sufficiency

The main goal of this opportunity is to strengthen disaster risk management and governance, aiming for more resilient and self-sufficient operations. It focuses on understanding the impacts of disasters and crises, improving early warning systems, and enhancing long-term planning for both natural and human-made threats, including chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) risks. The initiative encourages inclusive and innovative approaches, involving all levels of society and promoting collaboration among authorities, decision-makers, private actors, volunteers, and citizens. Special attention is given to multi-risk environments where disasters may have cascading effects. This opportunity is open to organizations in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, Central Asia, and requires collaboration with participants from at least three different EU Member States or Associated Countries.

• Development of forecasting and early warning systems for extreme weather, geohazards, or cascading natural events (Option a).

• Design of forecasting, detection, and preparedness solutions for CBRN-E threats, including medical countermeasures (Option b).

• Implementation of inclusive, multi-level disaster risk governance strategies integrating volunteers and local authorities.

• Demonstration and validation of emergency adaptation tools with active involvement of first responders and end users.

• Research on the societal impact of disasters with strong integration of social sciences and humanities for policy uptake.

Examples:

• A project in Central Asia that connects local authorities, disaster agencies, and volunteers to develop an early warning system for earthquakes, using satellite data.
• An initiative in Africa involving emergency responders and social scientists to test new tools for chemical spill response and community preparedness.
• A collaboration among Caribbean, European, and Latin American partners to validate and scale up flood forecasting solutions, ensuring involvement of practitioners and volunteers.

• Personnel costs for project staff and experts
• Costs for equipment and materials needed for research, testing, or demonstration
• Travel and accommodation for project activities and collaboration meetings
• Subcontracting of specific tasks or services
• Costs related to the use of satellite data and geospatial analysis tools
• Expenses for engaging and training volunteers and practitioners
• Communication and dissemination activities
• Workshops, seminars, and stakeholder engagement events
• Costs for validation, demonstration, or testing of solutions

Note: All eligible expenses are covered as a lump sum. Further details and restrictions may be found in the Horizon Europe Programme guidance documents.

• Budget for this Call: 10,500,000€
• Number of Grants attributed: 3
• Budget per grant: 3,500,000€

• Applicants must be legal entities established in Latin America, Africa, the Caribbean, or Central Asian countries.
• Each proposal must involve at least 2 regional or local authorities, 1 disaster management authority, and 1 volunteer organization from at least 3 different EU Member States or Associated Countries.
• Proposals must ensure the active involvement of practitioners, such as emergency responders.
• Inclusion of Social Sciences and Humanities experts and institutions is required to enhance societal impact.
• Collaboration with multiple partners across eligible countries is mandatory.
• Projects must address either: (A) enhancing impact forecasting and early warning for natural/geohazards, or (B) improving forecasting and response for CBRN-E threats.
• Active involvement of practitioners (such as emergency responders) is required, with plans for mid-term deliverables.
• Projects must involve Social Sciences and Humanities experts to boost societal impact.
• If using satellite data, Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS services must be used.
• Plans for demonstration, testing, or validation of solutions should be included, with consideration for future upscaling.