Abstract
The paper presents a body of work conducted within the framework of the EU-funded ENGAGE project in the field of resilience. ENGAGE seeks to enhance societal resilience by combining different intervention methods to make communities more aware and prepared to face disasters or crises together. It aims to facilitate the movement of resilience beyond academia and make it a resource for the entire society. The project will conduct four exercises in Romania, Spain, Italy, and Norway, where citizens will play a significant role before, during, and after disasters or crises. The current paper focuses on two exercises in Italy and Norway, where heatwaves and quick clay disasters are prevalent, respectively. The Rome exercise aims to enhance awareness of health risks associated with heat waves and increase adherence to the regional Heat Adaptation Plan through community-based actions of awareness-raising and reinforcement of a network of local stakeholders. The Trondheim exercise aims to evaluate the effectiveness and resilience of the evacuation process, in terms of preparedness, response time, coordination among emergency services as well as citizens, and the management of the potential aftermath of such an event. The ENGAGE project seeks to empower citizens in times of crisis by taking a step beyond the academia walls.