Management of natural hazards constitutes a common challenge in the SEES. Until now, neither hazard mapping nor contingency planning has been transnationally coordinated and defined in a sufficient manner. These gaps will be tackled in MONITOR II with the development of a common methodology and a CSA (“Continuous Situation Awareness”) system.

The integration of monitoring systems facilitates periodic updates of hazard maps and contingency plans and thus makes them usable in real-time for disaster situations. Products of these activities are a harmonized methodology and a ready-to-use system, which are applied by the partners for implementation in their characteristic testbeds. The practical implementation of CSA system will result in improved hazard maps and contingency plans. It will thus support the prevention of natural hazards, improve the efficiency of workflows in the disaster management cycle and mitigate natural hazards intensified by climate change phenomena. Legal, technological and participatory aspects, which are vital for successful risk management, will be considered in a broad discussion among a variety of partners and external stakeholders all over SEES. Stakeholders addressed include the public, politicians, emergency services, and experts. Prevention of natural hazards requires intensive awareness-raising and training for preparedness.

The ambitious communication structure and dissemination strategy of MONITOR II will help to achieve these objectives. The partnership combines transnational scientific experts, authorities, public services, and end-users, which ensures practical relevance as well as application of results. The project will strongly profit from existing network structures and their experience (e.g. MONITOR, DIS-ALP) and will use their results as a starting point. MONITOR II will improve the usability of hazard maps and contingency plans. Its products will facilitate communication in all phases of disaster management.