2nd March 2026
Welcome to the first edition of the DARE newsletter!
This newsletter will be published twice a year and will aim to provide an overview of the DARE project’s developments and news that occurred within the preceding months. The following sections contain project news from the project’s inception in October 2025 to February 2025.
For questions about the DARE project, contact Carr Communications EU Project Manager, Maria Carolan, at mcarolan@carrcommunications.ie
What is DARE?
DARE is a new EU-funded project that aims to strengthen Europe’s preparedness and response to climate-related and extreme weather events. As climate change increases the frequency and severity of natural hazards, there is a growing need for more integrated, data-driven approaches to disaster risk management across Europe.
First responders battling wildfires
DARE addresses these challenges by developing an integrated multi-hazard framework that combines climate data, risk modelling, and decision-support tools. By supporting cooperation across governance levels and sectors, the project contributes to improved preparedness, response, and long-term resilience, helping to better protect European citizens, infrastructure, and communities.
The 3-year DARE project brings together 15 partners from 11 countries, including research organisations, public authorities, civil protection actors, SMEs, and technology providers.
DARE’s kick off meeting in Berlin, Germany
DARE’s kick off meeting was held on 28–29 October 2025 in Berlin, Germany. The meeting was hosted by DARE’s project coordinator, Fraunhofer (Germany), and each project partner presented their role in the project as well as the project’s shared objectives.
The meeting provided an excellent opportunity for insightful discussions amongst our consortium as we embark on this 36-month long journey together.
DARE kick off meeting in Berlin, Germany
DARE Website
We were happy to announce the official launch of the DARE website in December 2025. The website is the central hub for all information about the project, including the project’s aims, achievements, and remarkable team of project partners and their affiliates.
DARE website
Stay tuned for further exciting additions to the DARE website as the project evolves, including videos with our consortium, a project blog, downloadable material and upcoming events. Check out the website here.
Social media milestone
We are thrilled to announce that DARE reached an exciting milestone, 190 followers on LinkedIn.
We would like to thank you for your continued interest, engagement and support in our project!
Video series
On March 4th, we will be delighted to kick off our DARE Partner Interview series with the partners present at the 1st SOP Workshop in Gelsenkirchen.
Over the next few weeks, we will publish video interviews with the DARE consortium members present at the Workshop. This series covers the introduction of the participants and what they gained from the Workshop.
Keep an eye out for more of these videos in the weeks ahead!
Watch all of the videos on our YouTube channel and don’t forget to subscribe!
DARE Partner Interview Series
DARE joins CMINE
We are delighted to announce that DARE has joined the Societal and Resilience Cluster (SRC) and the Responder Technology Cluster (RTC) led by CMINE – The Crisis Management Innovation Network!
This clusters bring together projects under the Disaster Resilient Societies framework that share the goal of improving responder technologies. We look forward to new networks, knowledge exchange and synergy-building activities with fellow projects dealing with enhancing community resilience, disaster risk awareness and inclusive societal preparedness.
DARE joins CMINE
Events
DARE Workshop #1 SOP Mapping & Dashboard User Requirements
he first DARE in-person workshop, held in Gelsenkirchen (Germany), 17–18 February 2026, brought together practitioners, public authorities, researchers and volunteer organisations from across Europe to advance interoperability in large-scale and cross-border emergency response.
Over two days, participants worked within five Communities of Practice, Command & Control, Wildfires, Floods, Volunteers & Citizens, and Cities, to harmonise Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and define user-driven requirements for the DARE situational awareness dashboard.
Key outcomes included hands-on sessions to establish a shared understanding of interoperability, focused discussions on SOP harmonisation, and the identification of priority information needs and dashboard functionalities grounded in operational practice.
The workshop concluded with a clear outlook on next steps, laying the foundation for continued co-development of user-centred tools to strengthen European disaster risk management capacities.
Participants of the DARE Workshop #1 SOP Mapping & Dashboard User Requirements
DARE Contribution to DIREKTION Webinar on Resilient Communications
How can emergency responders ensure reliable communications when networks are degraded or unavailable during crises? This question was addressed in a recent webinar organised by the DIREKTION project (Horizon Europe), with contributions from the DARE Project and its partners.
The webinar focused on resilient communication systems supporting coordination, situational awareness and decision-making in emergency response. It included an overview of the European Critical Communication System (EUCCS) initiative and a discussion on current research and operational challenges in mission-critical communications.
DARE was represented by Public Safety Communication Europe (PSCE), which, together with David Lund (EUCCS Preparation), shared operational insights and lessons learned on strengthening communication resilience for first responders and civil protection authorities.
Watch the full webinar recording: Ensuring Connectivity in Crisis: Resilient Communications for Responders
DARE Contribution to DIREKTION Webinar on Resilient Communications
DARE at the UN Global Initiative on Resilience to Natural Hazards through AI Solutions
The DARE project confirms the participation of Project Coordinator Claudia Berchtold and Jorge Gomes (VOST Portugal) in the Workshop and 3rd Meeting of the Global Initiative on Resilience to Natural Hazards through AI Solutions, held in Brussels on 11–12 December 2025.
Co-hosted by the Telecommunication Standardization Bureau of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the European Commission’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO), the event brought together policymakers, disaster risk management practitioners and AI researchers to advance the use of artificial intelligence for disaster preparedness, response and recovery.
The workshop provided a valuable platform to discuss recent developments in AI for natural hazard risk management, with a strong emphasis on capacity building, data integration and operational uptake.
DARE’s participation contributed to strengthening dialogue and collaboration at the intersection of civil protection, digital innovation and disaster resilience.
DARE at UN Global Initiative on Resilience to Natural Hazards through AI Solutions
DARE at the PSCE Winter Conference 2025
On 4 December 2025, the DARE project was presented at the Public Safety Communication Europe (PSCE) Winter Conference in Brussels by Marie Christine Bonneamour (PSCE).
The conference brought together practitioners, stakeholders, industry representatives and European Commission officials, with approximately 80 participants in attendance. It provided a valuable platform for exchange on current challenges and innovations in public safety communications.
The presentation introduced the overall objectives of the DARE project, highlighted the activities led by PSCE within the project work plan, and outlined the links with EUCCS Preparation, underlining the shared commitment to strengthening resilience and interoperability in critical communication systems across Europe.
Engagement with participants was particularly constructive, with several attendees expressing interest in DARE and requesting further information. PSCE will assess opportunities to involve interested stakeholders in the DARE Communities of Practice and will keep the consortium informed as this process evolves.
DARE thanks Public Safety Communication Europe (PSCE) for representing the project and for reinforcing dialogue with key actors in the European safety and security community.
Marie-Christine Bonnamour, PSCE
DARE at the EU Science for Preparedness Conference
Members of the DARE consortium recently participated in the EU Science for Preparedness Conference, an event bringing together key stakeholders in disaster risk management, emergency response and scientific support to policy.
The conference provided a valuable opportunity to receive updates on the work of the Joint Research Centre (JRC), in particular on the Copernicus Emergency Management Service (EMS), and to engage directly with end-users to discuss current operational gaps, emerging needs and priorities for strengthening preparedness and response capacities.
Participation in this event contributed to reinforcing DARE’s engagement with the broader European preparedness community and to aligning project activities with policy-relevant challenges and user needs.
Claudio Rossi, Links Foundation
DARE at ISCRAM 2026: Thematic Track Accepted
The DARE project is pleased to announce that its proposal for a thematic track at the ISCRAM 2026 Conference (Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management) has been officially accepted.
Track 16: The Role of Multi-Stakeholder Platforms in Crisis Response and the Challenges of Coordination
This thematic track will examine how multi-stakeholder platforms can enhance crisis preparedness and response by strengthening cooperation across sectors, improving interoperability among actors, and addressing coordination challenges in complex emergency settings.
The track will provide a forum for researchers, practitioners and policymakers to exchange knowledge, share best practices and discuss innovative approaches to collaborative crisis management, contributing to the advancement of systemic resilience and effective governance.
Further information on all ISCRAM 2026 tracks is available here: Tracks – ISCRAM 2026
DARE at ISCRAM 2026: Corresponding Chair Appointment
The DARE project is pleased to announce that Dr Claudia Berchtold, Project Coordinator of DARE and Senior Researcher at Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft (Germany), has been appointed Corresponding Chair of the ISCRAM 2026 thematic track entitled:
“The Role of Multi-Stakeholder Platforms in Crisis Response and the Challenges of Coordination”, within ISCRAM 2026 – Building Stronger Futures.
The track focuses on strengthening interoperability and coordination across sectors and borders and is fully aligned with DARE’s mission to enhance European emergency response capacities through the development of an open-source, multi-stakeholder dashboard.
Researchers and practitioners are invited to submit contributions addressing theoretical, methodological and practical perspectives on collaborative crisis management.
Further information is available at:
- Track overview: Tracks – ISCRAM 2026
- Submission details: Call for Papers – ISCRAM 2026
ISCRAM 2026
DARE featured in the Bonn Network Newsletter
The DARE project is pleased to announce its inclusion in the latest edition of the Bonn Network International Civil Protection and Disaster Risk Reduction Newsletter, published as the final issue of 2025.
The newsletter features a dedicated contribution on DARE, presented by Fraunhofer INT, with the involvement of project partners including the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK). The article highlights DARE’s objectives to strengthen cross-border cooperation within the European Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) and to enhance the structured engagement of spontaneous helpers and volunteers in emergency response.
The issue also includes contributions from other Bonn Network partners, such as Welthungerhilfe (WHH), presenting practical experiences in risk communication and community co-design, as well as updates on recent publications, calls for papers and forthcoming events relevant to the civil protection community. The latest edition of the newsletter, along with previous issues, is available via the Bonn Network channels:
Bonner Netzwerk Internationaler KatS & Risikomanagement
Bonn Network International Covil Protection and Disaster Risk Reductions newsletter
Let’s stay in touch
We look forward to keeping you up to date on DARE’s progress and our efforts to support
Stay informed with the latest DARE news by following us on LinkedIn, Twitter/X, and Facebook YouTube.
Our next DARE newsletter will be published in September 2026.
