- Experts from various sectors discussed innovative strategies for risk management and emphasized the importance of community resilience.
- The EU funded SETOFF project provides practical tools for citizens to enhance natural disaster prevention.
Brussels, November 12, 2024 – The Finnova Foundation organized the “Setoff International Conference: Driving Security Innovation in Europe” event at the headquarters of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in Brussels, Belgium. This event underscored the crucial importance of preventive measures, community resilience, and collaborative strategies in managing natural disasters, addressing urgent issues exacerbated by climate change.
The conference opened with a moment of silence, led by moderator Paulina Menem, in honor of the flood victims in Valencia. Juanma Revuelta, CEO of Finnova, then emphasized the importance of proactive disaster preparedness, not only for Spain but for all of Europe. “We are here not just to talk but to find real solutions that improve our disaster readiness,” Revuelta stated. He highlighted the challenging situation faced by many affected people who still lack basic services like electricity and water, urging reflection on these events to ensure greater resilience in the future.
The event featured thematic panels where experts from various sectors discussed innovative approaches to risk management, resilience-building, and the critical role of technology in crisis response. Andries Gryffroy, Vice-President of the Commission for the Environment, Climate Change, and Energy at the Committee of the Regions, emphasized the necessity of digital transformation and intergovernmental cooperation in achieving a safer, more resilient Europe. “By harnessing data and digital technologies, we can create effective predictive models and manage resources more efficiently”, Gryffoy stated.
Erwan Marteil, representing the Prevention and Preparedness Capacity Unit at the European Civil Protection & Humanitarian Aid Operations elaborated on recent EU initiatives, such as the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) and the new Prepare EU initiative, which aims to raise public awareness and preparedness for natural disasters. “Security is the foundation of all our actions,” Marteil noted, referencing a report commissioned by EU President Ursula von der Leyen that advocates for a comprehensive approach to security and resilience. Marteil also highlighted the European Commission’s ongoing efforts to integrate cutting-edge technologies, like drones and early warning systems, into disaster management frameworks, making Europe safer and more prepared.
Delia Bonsignore, from DG REGIO in the European Comission an expert on EU disaster risk management policies underscored the EU’s commitment to disaster resilience through significant funding mechanisms. She presented EU investment data, noting that the 2021-2027 budget prioritizes a green, low-carbon Europe, with 14 billion euros allocated to climate adaptation. Bonsignore also outlined cross-border programs like Interreg, which enhance cooperation on common challenges, demonstrating the EU’s dedication to fostering resilience in high-risk regions.
Miriam Alba Reina, Disaster Management Lead for the European Office of the Red Cross, emphasized the importance of a people-centered approach to disaster management, promoting community involvement and inclusive risk management. Alba Reina stressed that the Red Cross’s humanitarian diplomacy empowers local communities and ensures that disaster preparedness efforts consider vulnerable populations, particularly relevant in light of current events in Valencia. “Building social resilience is the cornerstone of effective disaster risk management,” she stated.
Adding a human rights perspective, Demetrio Romeo, a human rights adviser from International Network of Human Rights, highlighted the intersection of human rights with disaster response. He emphasized the need to protect vulnerable populations in crisis situations and advocated for increased professionalization of emergency response services. “We must ensure the voices of affected communities are both heard and acted upon,” he asserted.
Juan Caamaño, responsible of operative and capacity from Pau Costa Foundation, described their efforts to create fire-resilient landscapes and promote fire ecology throughout initiatives focus on shifting the narrative around fire as a purely destructive force, fostering public understanding of fire’s role in certain ecosystems. “Our goal is to make sure that firefighting teams from different countries can collaborate seamlessly”, remarked Caamaño.
The SETOFF Project: Equipping Regions for Disaster Resilience
This event was framed in the SETOFF project, funded by the EU’s Erasmus+ program, and some representatives of the consortium shed light on the project, showcasing SETOFF as a tool to enhance disaster preparedness. Juan Viesca, Director of European Funds at Finnova, and Eduardo Mercado, Chief Technology Officer at Finnova, outlined the objectives of the SETOFF project, which include creating e-training resources for civil servants and emergency responders across Europe: “Our online platform will offer free, accessible resources to empower communities and institutions with the knowledge and skills to manage and mitigate natural risks effectively,” said Viesca and Mercado.
To close the event, Juanma Revuelta highlighted that the foundation he leads has long been working in the field of emergency response with prevention and fire-fighting projects, such as the EU-funded FIREPOCTEP+ project. Revuelta also noted that the foundation has been engaged in fire-related projects within the framework of the European Territorial Cooperation Program (Interreg), with a total funding of over 35 million euros.
In this line, and to further highlight the importance of projects such as SETOFF, it is essential to highlight the increase of risk of megafires due to climate change. Adverse weather conditions, persistent droughts and the highly stressed and weakened forests favor the magnitude and the virulence of forest fires, specially in the Mediterranean region.
Due to the the climatic emergency favors other factors that increase the magnitude and virulence of forest fires, including very adverse weather conditions, persistent droughts and highly stressed and weakened forests. All this, combined with rural abandonment, increases the risk of extreme fires. On the other hand, it is evident that the rural areas of our country are undergoing a strong depopulation and rural aging, which leads to the abandonment of traditional uses -agriculture, extensive livestock farming, forestry- and that this is aggravated by the absence of serious policies to manage the territory. The Evros fire in Greece, which destroyed 96,000 hectares and tragically killed 19 people in 2023 or the wave of fires registered in Portugal in September 2024 show the need to a coordinated and rapid answer to combat natural disasters.
As a response due to the increase in natural disasters in recent years, the SETOFF project offers an e-training platform based on the real needs and profiles of the target groups. The tools displayed on this platform can be applied at different stages in training personnel for both civil protection and private sector safety and security. Anyone interested in addressing effectively climate threats, can register in our training platform for free.
About the SETOFF Project
The SETOFF Project aims to enhance the preparedness of civil protection and private security personnel for crises through an innovative online training program. Supported by eight partners from four countries and eleven associated partners, SETOFF facilitates knowledge exchange in disaster management via a digital platform, promoting effective, collaborative responses across Europe.
In response to growing environmental challenges, SETOFF has also committed to launching challenges for startups and universities to develop technological solutions in areas such as fire, flood, earthquake, tsunami, health emergencies, and cybersecurity. These solutions are designed for both security professionals and the general public, marking a fundamental step toward a safer and more resilient Europe.
About Finnova
Finnova is a European foundation dedicated to fostering innovation and transnational cooperation in Europe, supporting projects that contribute to sustainable development and resilience against environmental challenges. Finnova’s expertise in leading communication and dissemination activities for European projects combines with a strong track record in business creation programs and entrepreneurship support, such as accelerators, incubators, and events, as well as its commitment to youth training and employability.