Co-creating solutions for Disaster Risk Reduction in multi-country research projects

Enhancing Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in a comprehensive and efficient manner requires consideration of needs of diverse stakeholders. Co-creation intends to involve all pertinent stakeholders, from the identification of needs through to the development and finally implementation of suitable solutions. However, challenges exist in multi-country projects that may hamper the implementation of co-creation. This article explores opportunities and challenges associated with co-creation in EU projects in DRR. It builds on literature mainly of applied science and draws upon insights gained from two EU Horizon 2020 projects: RiskPACC, which developed and implemented a co-creation approach to better understand different risk perceptions and to foster two-way communication among citizens and civil protection authorities, and Firelogue, which in applying a co-creation approach, aimed to explore the design of integrated wildfire risk management approaches under consideration of justice aspects. Opportunities of co-creation include fostering mutual understanding, matching needs with possible solutions, and involving all relevant stakeholders. Challenges include mutual understanding among diverse participants, time and resources, (continuous) involvement of all relevant stakeholders, equitable distribution of power to justly recognize different interests, and required skills in co-creation. In addition, specific considerations in relation to characteristics of EU projects involving multiple countries concern challenges of language, funding conditions, the possibly higher number of stakeholders, and questions of representativeness. Co-developed solutions within a project are at risk not to be implemented after the project. However, the facilitation of networking and establishing relationships present an advantage of co-creation that is possibly supported within large interdisciplinary and multi-country projects.