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About RISE

About

Communities that learn together, prepare together, and act together are the ones that recover fastest.

IFRC, 2021

RISE helps communities across Europe prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters through clear, hands on adult and community education. The project began after the 2024 floods in Spain, where we saw first hand the need for clear guidance, simple training and affordable solutions. We have turned those lessons into practical tools we now share widely so communities anywhere can prepare better, respond faster and recover smarter.

We deliver training for educators and local leaders, a European best practice library on community led recovery, and an Innovation Lab that showcases low cost, high impact solutions. We also build foresight and planning skills so people can anticipate risks, not only react to them.

Led by Consorci de la Ribera and working with partners across five countries, RISE brings educators, grassroots groups and adult learners together to turn knowledge into local action. The result is stronger awareness, better preparation and faster, more sustainable recovery.

Building Confidence through preparation

Effective preparation reduces uncertainty and enables timely, coordinated action. When people know their roles, procedures and expected behaviours, they gain confidence and make better decisions under pressure. Only 37% of EU citizens feel well prepared for disasters where they live, while 58% do not (Special Eurobarometer 547, Feb–Mar 2024). This points to the need for structured preparedness education. With preparation, uncertainty gives way to confident action.

RISE applies evidence informed approach built on clear learning outcomes, repeated practice and accessible materials. Educators and local leaders are supported to deliver short, focused sessions, use plain guidance and apply simple tools across home, workplace and community settings. Regular drills and checklist-based planning convert knowledge into routine practice.

Confidence develops through incremental progress. Establishing a basic household or neighbourhood plan, maintaining an updated contact list and conducting brief scenario exercises each contribute to risk reduction and collective efficacy. Communities that engage in these activities act earlier, coordinate more effectively and recover more quickly. Ready for tomorrow, together.

Who We Serve

RISE works with the people who turn learning into local action. Our focus is on those who teach, lead and support communities before, during and after a crisis.

We support teaching teams in centres like MEI and CRIB’s Environmental Education Unit, and educators across our partnership. At least eighty educators and community leaders will take part in co design, pilot training and delivery.

We work with municipal leaders, local groups and volunteer networks such as Building Ukraine Together. Partners like MEI and Exo involve community leaders through co design and sustainability training.

Across Spain, Turkey, Ireland, Italy and Ukraine, our workshops and local activities reach adults who want practical skills to prepare, respond and recover. At least two hundred and fifty adult learners will take part.

We collaborate with NGOs and community groups active in recovery and resilience, including partners of BUR such as Tolocar Initiative and SAVED Foundation.

These groups have shown clear interest and provided letters of support, reinforcing the need for this work. If you or your community is in need, or would like to get involved, please use our contact form or email us with your role, organisation, location and how you would like to contribute.

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