The final conference of the RED ROSES project took place on 20 February 2025 at the Red Cross EU Office in Brussels. With the project set to conclude on 28 February 2025, the event was a key moment to review its achievements.
The conference provided a platform to reflect on the project’s progress, explore lessons learned, and discuss future perspectives for sustaining its efforts beyond the project’s lifespan.
Project background
The RED ROSES project started in March 2023, coordinated by the French Red Cross and co-funded by the European Commission (DG ECHO) under the 2022 Track 2 call for proposals. The project aimed to address the growing challenges posed by disasters—such as floods, landslides, and wildfires—along the French-Italian border, with a focus on the Susa and Roya valleys. The project consortium included partners from various sectors, such as the French Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (BRGM), Paris Dauphine University, the Italian National Research Council (CNR), and the Italian Red Cross.
Key objectives and tools
RED ROSES introduced new data-sharing tools to improve cross-border cooperation and help civil protection teams monitor and respond to disasters. At the final conference, several key tools were presented:
- Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI): A comprehensive platform that integrates multiple data-sharing components, such as the Geoportal and the Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI) system. The SDI is fuelled both by static and dynamic data, organized in standardised databases. The VGI is a tool that allows technicians and volunteers to collect real-time data for better disaster response and improved situational awareness for civil protection authorities. The data are collected using the KOBO toolbox system.
- Decision Support System (DSS): An external module that supports operational decision-making. Two versions of the DSS operational workflows have been developed for IRC and FRC.
Participants shared how RED ROSES tools have been applied in real-life scenarios. A key example was a large-scale field exercise in Eastern France (Alpes Maritimes) and North-Western Italy (Piedmont, Liguria, and Lombardy), where civil protection teams and volunteers tested the tools in a simulated emergency. This exercise focused on a flood scenario triggered by a rare Mediterranean hurricane (Medicane). It demonstrated how RED ROSES tools integrate real-time data with disaster information to improve emergency response. At the same time, it highlighted ongoing challenges in collecting, sharing, and managing data across different organisations.
Challenges and achievements
Key challenges discussed during the conference included:
- Data integration: Addressing the lack of easy access to cross-border data and the need for data harmonisation and standardisation.
- Governance: Developing a governance plan for the data ecosystem, ensuring clear roles and responsibilities.
- Scalability and sustainability: Ensuring the long-term sustainability of the project’s tools by addressing economic, technological, organisational, and socio-political factors.
Christos Dimopoulos from the European University of Cyprus/CERIDES and Damien Zimmermann, speaking on behalf of Frédéric Harrault from DGSGGC, shared their insights on the project’s achievements and challenges. They highlighted the importance of fostering trust among stakeholders and enhancing collaboration for effective disaster preparedness and response.
Sustainability and scalability
Representatives from the French and Italian Red Cross explained how they are ensuring the project’s sustainability. The tools developed by RED ROSES are already being used in their organisations and could be further integrated into national, regional, and local disaster management plans. The next step is to identify concrete ways to continue the project’s work.
Next steps
As the RED ROSES project comes to an end, participants explored how its tools could be used for other risks like earthquakes and tsunamis. They also discussed how artificial intelligence could help with decision-making while keeping human control important. The conference highlighted the need for stronger cooperation across borders, continued partnerships between public and private sectors, and more investment in technology. It also emphasised the importance of using data to improve disaster response plans. With ongoing efforts, the tools and knowledge from RED ROSES could be expanded and used in other parts of Europe, helping communities become better prepared for disasters.
Source: EU Civil Protection Knowledge Network