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SYNERGIES is a European Union co-funded project aimed at enhancing disaster management preparedness. The project's primary focus is to consolidate the outcomes of six previous projects and current best practices, and develop a range of tools addressing specific aspects of preparedness. This includes a spotlight on the role of volunteers in disaster management and the exploration of innovative channels for disseminating disaster preparedness information. The project also ensures that the tools it develops are tested and refined in three real-world scenarios, thus ensuring their practical applicability.

The SYNERGIES project was launched as a strategic response to escalating risks, leading to an urgent need for enhanced disaster management strategies. The project recognizes the pressing need for a unified and comprehensive approach to disaster preparedness. It acknowledges that effective management is reliant on the collaborative efforts and synergy of a spectrum of actors, including first responders, authorities, citizens, and non-governmental organizations. 

SYNERGIES holds a significant position due to its potential impact on societies that are increasingly facing disaster risks. It strives to augment preparedness by introducing targeted and practical solutions, making a substantial contribution to societal resilience and safety. The project adopts an innovative approach to disaster management which involves not only the development but also the testing of tools in real-world scenarios, ensuring the solutions are both effective and flexible. 

UNESCO and its partners, through the SYNERGIES project, are committed to fostering this adaptability to ensure the enduring effectiveness of the solutions, extending beyond their specific locations. This commitment positions the project as a pivotal element of the global response to disasters. 

Read more about UNESCO’s participation in the SYNERGIES project, and its specific objectives and outcomes, below.  

UNESCO supports the SYNERGIES project by facilitating the implementation and alignment of the project's roadmap and training modules, while also promoting capacity building and international cooperation, to improve disaster risk management.

In the preparedness cases in La Reunion, Malta, and the Rotterdam area, the project is working on a range of practical tools for disaster preparedness. These tools include an ATLAS of Empowerment with materials and good practices, a database for innovative communication methods, an early warning tool, and a system for integrating volunteers into planning efforts. A tabletop game is also being developed to demonstrate the significance of these volunteers, along with a preparedness assessment tool. These results will be guided by a roadmap and training modules, which form the backbone of future disaster preparedness efforts. 

On La Reunion island, the project’s focus is managing the risk of cyclones due to changing weather patterns and a rapidly expanding population. UNESCO and its SYNERGIES partners in Malta are working on earthquake response strategies to efficiently manage and relocate large groups of residents and vulnerable individuals. In the Rotterdam Area, the emphasis is on handling a flooding scenario with cascading effects and incorporating spontaneous volunteers into the preparedness strategy.