The SYNERGISE Project Held its first Component Field Test

SYNERGISE at the EU-Japan Forum on Research and Innovation in Disaster Resilience

Kyoto, Japan

March 3-4, 2025

SYNERGISE - subheadline

SYNERGISE actively participated in the EU-Japan Forum on Research and Innovation Communication in Support of Disaster Societal Resilience and Risk Governance, held at Kyoto University on 3-4 March 2025. Organized in collaboration with the Community of European Research for Innovation and Security (CERIS), this high-level event gathered key stakeholders, including policy-makers, scientists, practitioners, industry representatives, and civil society organizations, to enhance global collaboration on disaster risk reduction (DRR). The forum fostered discussions on how research and innovation can bridge the gap between science and policy to strengthen resilience and risk governance across international frameworks such as the UN Sendai Framework and the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM).

The forum addressed critical aspects of DRR, including:

  • Risk governance and societal resilience – Exploring how disaster policies are communicated and implemented at local, regional, and national levels.

  • Technology and innovation for first responders – Showcasing advancements that enhance situational awareness, communication, and operational efficiency.

  • Bridging research and practice – Identifying strategies to improve the transfer of scientific findings into actionable policies and preparedness measures.

On Day 2, SYNERGISE was represented by our coordinator, Tiina Ristmäe, who participated in Panel 2: Technologies and Risk Management Methodologies in Support of Disaster Risk Reduction.

She talked about SYNERGISE’s efforts in developing innovative technologies tailored for first responders, including wearable health sensors, localization devices, advanced communication tools, and robotics. The discussion underscored the importance of integrating these solutions into existing disaster response frameworks and fostering stronger EU-Japan collaborations in the DRR sector.

This participation reinforced SYNERGISE’s commitment to enhancing disaster resilience through technologies and international knowledge exchange. As the project continues its mission, key takeaways from this forum will help shape future developments in research, stakeholder engagement, and technology deployment.