Strengthening Urban Disaster Preparedness through Adult Learning and Multi-Actor Coordination

Project Summary:
Cities are increasingly exposed to disaster risks that require not only strong institutional preparedness but also informed, capable and engaged citizens. Effective disaster management depends on coordinated action between local authorities, responders and the community, supported by accessible information, training and digital tools.
This project addresses disaster preparedness as a shared responsibility at city level. It aims to strengthen both administrative capacity and citizen awareness by combining adult education, digital coordination mechanisms and practical validation activities. The project adopts an inclusive approach, targeting the general adult population while providing additional tailored content for vulnerable groups with specific needs. Through modular training, pilot implementation and multi-actor simulations, the project seeks to improve preparedness, coordination and response capacity before disasters occur.

Objectives:
The project aims to:
• Improve disaster preparedness at city level through coordinated institutional and citizen-based approaches
• Strengthen cooperation between municipalities, responders and adult citizens
• Increase disaster awareness and response capacity among the general adult population
• Provide inclusive training and tools for adult citizens, with additional tailored content for vulnerable groups with specific needs
• Develop modular adult education content adaptable to different user profiles (municipal staff, responders, citizens)
• Design, test and validate a digital coordination platform supporting disaster preparedness and response.

Expected Results / Outputs:
• A validated needs analysis and prioritisation framework for disaster preparedness
• Modular adult education training content for:
 Local authorities
 First responders
 Adult citizens (including tailored modules for vulnerable groups)
• A functional and tested digital coordination platform
• Improved preparedness and coordination capacity among municipalities, responders and citizens
• Certified participation of adults completing training modules
• Practical validation through simulations and pilot implementation
• Increased awareness of inclusive, city-level disaster preparedness models.

Target Groups:
• Adult citizens
• Vulnerable groups (families with small children, elderly people, persons with disabilities, people with chronic illnesses)
• Local authorities and municipal staff
• First responders, civil protection units and disaster volunteers
• Adult education providers and trainers.

Partner Profile Sought:
We are looking for partners with experience in:
• Disaster risk reduction, civil protection and emergency management
• Adult education and lifelong learning
• Community engagement and inclusive education approaches
• Digital platforms or coordination tools
• Local authorities, NGOs, training providers, universities or research organisations.

Partners should contribute actively to needs analysis, training development, pilot activities, evaluation and dissemination.