Activating our Crete community

On the 21st and 22nd of May, the Natural History Museum of the University of Crete hosted an enriching two-day event, uniting 38 participants from various organizations to enhance local resilience and cooperation. The attendees included representatives from local volunteer groups, the Municipality of Minoa, the Hellenic Red Cross, educational centers, emergency services, and cultural institutions.

The event commenced with welcoming remarks from the RESILIAGE project team, setting the stage for a series of informative sessions focused on local cooperation strategies. Highlights of the day included presentations on the latest scientific research and innovative tools for crisis management, emphasizing proactive disaster management approaches. Participants shared valuable local knowledge, contributing to the development of effective resilience strategies.

A major highlight of the day was the launch of the RAISE tool. This innovative tool represents a significant advancement in crisis management, designed to aid communities in effectively responding to various emergencies through improved cooperation and communication.

The latter part of the day focused on exploring local cooperation and communication strategies during crises and disasters. This session was crucial for understanding how communities can enhance resilience and response strategies through collaborative efforts.

The second day delved deeper into cooperative strategies and local knowledge extraction. Workshops and discussions highlighted the significance of cultural heritage in building resilience, showcasing how historical and cultural understanding can fortify community responses to crises.

Participants explored ways to leverage cultural heritage for community resilience. Practical exercises and case studies demonstrated the integration of cultural assets into disaster preparedness plans, emphasizing the need to preserve and utilize local traditions and history in crisis situations.

The event concluded with comprehensive discussions on the next steps for future initiatives. These conversations reinforced the commitment to ongoing collaboration and the continuous improvement of resilience strategies within the community. Attendees left with a renewed sense of purpose and a clear roadmap for enhancing local resilience through sustained inter-organizational cooperation and community involvement.