BuildERS works on increasing the social resilience capital of European communities by co-designing processes and tools with citizens, first-responder organisations and tool developers. The project incorporates an inclusive and interactive research and analysis process, where the results are not derived ‘top-down’ but through a ‘bottom-top’ dynamic interaction.
The main objective of BuildERS is to enhance the overall resilience against both natural and man-induced hazards in European communities. The project achieves this by co-creating, deploying and validating tools and approaches that build social capital and raise realistic risk awareness among populations, particularly for people living in precarious socio-economic conditions who are vulnerable to disasters.
The outcomes of BuildERS will serve policy formulation, adoption of most efficient tools, and particularly the dialogue between policy makers, responder organisations and citizens.
The overarching research problem boils down to the question of unbiased risk awareness of vulnerable populations and their preparedness to withstand adversities, as well as to varying levels of social capital and different information and communication channels that enjoy varying levels of trust.
The more specific objectives that spring from the main objective are the following:
BuildERS consortium comprises high-profile academia, research and technology organisations, first-responder organisations and private companies. In addition, a powerful Advisory Board supports the work of the consortium. Board members come from ministries and international organisations. Most importantly, the Stakeholder Forum involves both root and decision-making level actors that have a crucial role in building social capital for resilience. The ideology is that by focusing on the most vulnerable groups, at the most concrete level, the overall resilience of the communities is enhanced.