We are pleased to announce the publication of “Ethics and Participation for a Resilient Future”, a booklet that brings together the findings of Work Package 7 (WP7) on Ethical, legal and societal aspects of MEDiate.

This publication highlights how ethics, law, and participation are essential pillars of disaster risk management. As disasters become increasingly complex and interconnected — with floods, wildfires, storms and landslides often cascading into wider crises — technical solutions alone are not enough. Preparing for tomorrow’s risks requires safeguards for privacy and data protection, clear legal frameworks for cooperation, and genuine involvement of the communities most affected.

The booklet explores two key dimensions at the heart of MEDiate:

1. Principles: Ethics and Legal Foundations of Disaster Risk Management — how data protection, fairness, and accountability are integrated into preparedness across different national systems.
2. Practice: Participation and Co-Creation in Disaster Risk Management — how participatory methods, workshops, and co-creation processes in Norway, France, the UK, and Iceland built trust and improved adoption of new tools.

Drawing on three years of research and engagement across four diverse testbeds, the booklet shows that resilience is strongest when it combines science with social values. MEDiate’s work demonstrates that ethical safeguards and participatory practices are not barriers to innovation — they are the conditions that make new tools credible, trusted, and sustainable.

This booklet represents the culmination of WP7, reflecting the collaborative work of 18 partners from seven countries. It is intended as a resource for policymakers, civil protection authorities, researchers, and communities interested in building disaster preparedness that is both effective and legitimate.

• Read the booklet here.