News & events

When scientists, policymakers and practitioners meet, real progress happens. Today, it is more important than ever that the scientific community and policymakers communicate effectively and work hand-in-hand to tackle global challenges. The 5th Evidence for Policy in Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Summer School, held in Tallinn from the 26th to the 28th May 2026, provided the perfect opportunity to learn from one another and build these connections.

During the event, COAST-SCAPES' PhD student Pia Echtler had the privilege of attending three incredibly insightful classes. While some sessions covered topics like emerging technical disasters and leveraging open-source data, a major highlight was a deep dive into the EU's role beyond its borders. The session explored preparedness and response strategies for climate-related disasters, focusing specifically on how humanitarian assistance and civil protection must intersect during complex emergencies. Instead of just staying in the classroom, attendees also participated in a hands-on field trip organised by the Tallinn civil protection agency, which grounded theoretical discussions in real-world scenarios.

Overall, representing the Horizon Europe COAST-SCAPES project at this event was incredibly validating. It was a fantastic reminder of why the project team pushes so hard to replicate systemic resilience plans across different socioeconomic conditions. Seeing these concepts discussed at such a high policy level completely changes how researchers look at the data. It proved exactly why creating adaptable, high-readiness solutions is the right path forward. Bridging the gap between research and action is the key to building resilient communities.

The 2026 DRM Summer School was funded by the European Union, supported by DG ECHO and the UCPKN, organised by the Civitas Soteria consortium, and hosted by Tallinn University.