23–25 September 2026
After years of collaboration, research, innovation and field validation, the B-PREPARED project concludes with a two-day Final Conference bringing together policymakers, researchers, practitioners, technology developers and civil society representatives to reflect on results and shape the future of citizen disaster preparedness in Europe.
Day 1 – 24 September
From Vision to Practice
The first conference day focuses on the broader vision of citizen preparedness and the practical solutions developed within B-PREPARED.
The morning opens with keynote speeches addressing global and European disaster risk reduction priorities, including the goals of the United Nations Disaster Risk Reduction framework and the EU Disaster Resilience Strategy. These perspectives set the scene for understanding how citizen engagement and digital innovation contribute to resilience at multiple governance levels.
Participants will then be introduced to the B-PREPARED vision, mission and policy relevance, followed by presentations of the project’s core solutions, including Disastropedia and IM-prepared.
In the afternoon, the programme moves from conference room to real-life experience: participants will download the app and take part in a guided preparedness walk, demonstrating how digital tools can support situational awareness and risk understanding in everyday environments.
Further in the afternoon, other project solutions will be showcased, including VR-Prepared and RU-Prepared, highlighting how immersive technologies and targeted tools can strengthen learning, engagement and behavioural change. The day concludes with a reflection on the project’s overall impact and its continuation beyond the funding period.
Throughout the day, participants can experience the VR-Prepared demonstration in the lounge area, offering hands-on insight into immersive preparedness training.
The evening will feature a gala dinner, providing space for networking and celebrating the contributions of partners and supporters who made the project possible.
Day 2 – 25 September
Scientific Results, Technical Insights and Policy Impact
The second day offers a deeper dive into the scientific foundations, technical developments and long-term impact of B-PREPARED.
Sessions will present research results, including insights into learning processes in virtual reality environments, evaluation findings, and methodological approaches developed during the project. Contributors will share publications, technical developments and lessons learned from piloting and validation activities.
A dedicated poster session will provide an interactive platform for further exchange, discussion and networking.
The conference will also address policy uptake and standardisation pathways, including insights from the project’s white paper, evaluation summary and contributions to future standards in disaster preparedness and resilience. As part of this, the B-prepared coordinator will formally hand over a proposal for legislation aimed at EU-wide inclusion of harmonised disaster preparedness education in the EU to the representatives of the European Commission.
The Final Conference will close with reflections on the project’s legacy and the next steps for strengthening citizen preparedness across Europe.
By combining policy dialogue, practical demonstrations, immersive experiences and scientific reflection, the B-PREPARED Final Conference marks a milestone in advancing inclusive, technology-supported disaster preparedness for European communities.
You must be logged in to post a comment.