In the Swiss cantons of Zurich and Ticino, GOBEYOND partners are advancing the co-design of an adapted version of the project’s Multi-Risk Impact-based Early Warning System (MR-IEWS). Led by the Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology MeteoSwiss, this work focuses on testing and refining an impact-based approach to risk communication through the development of a tailored prototype platform that can support faster, more informed responses in the face of natural hazards.

Understanding the Local Context

The two pilot regions offer contrasting conditions. Zurich is densely populated (1.5 million inhabitants), in an urban context, with relatively flat geography (altitude between 330 and 1290 m) and Swiss German speakers. On the other hand, the canton of Ticino is sparsely populated (0.3 million inhabitants), in a rural context, with mountainous relief (altitude between 190 and 3400 m) and Italian speakers.

The hazards these regions face range from storms, heavy precipitation and flash floods to heatwaves, wildfires, landslides, snow and avalanches. Not all hazards are equally relevant for Zurich and Ticino. A particular challenge lies in the warning system for water-related events: there is a gap between short-term thunderstorm alerts (typically issued up to one hour in advance) and long-duration rainfall warnings. This leaves fast-evolving hazards like flash floods and surface runoff largely unaddressed. Additionally, complex multi-hazard events—such as combinations of hail, intense rainfall, storms, and lightning—further complicate the response efforts of first responders.

Due to the decentralized, federal nature, the warning chains and responsibilities between communal and cantonal authorities and response entities are different between the two case study regions, and at times convoluted. Understanding these is key and an important component of the project.

From Hazard to Impact: Bridging the Gap

Switzerland already benefits from a strong foundation in risk communication through the GIN platform—a national, multi-hazard information system developed and operated by federal authorities. This platform, which has been in operational use for years, provides valuable hazard-based warnings to all Swiss cantons. However, it does not currently offer impact-specific insights, leaving a critical gap in decision-making support during natural hazard events.

GOBEYOND is working to bridge this gap, through a tailored version of the project’s Multi-Risk Impact-based Early Warning System (MR-IEWS), which will be developed specifically for Swiss needs. By combining hazard data with exposure and vulnerability indicators, the platform aims to give emergency services and local authorities the tools they need to anticipate consequences and respond more effectively.

Co-Creation Through Stakeholder Workshops

A key element of this work is the active involvement of local stakeholders. MeteoSwiss has organized a series of workshops to ensure that the platform is built around real-world operational needs. The first round of stakeholder engagement took place in September 2024, engaging key actors such as the Cantonal Police, Civil Protection Offices, Flood Protection Office, Ambulance Services, Fire Brigades, Natural Hazard Experts as well as the Community Mayor. These initial sessions gathered insights on existing challenges and the types of information that would support better preparedness and response.

The dialogue continued in April 2025 with a second round of workshops in both pilot regions. These sessions focused on concrete use cases and scenarios where impact-based information could significantly enhance decision-making compared to conventional hazard warnings. Participants worked collaboratively to define how such systems could be used in practice, what data sources are most relevant, and how to align warning outputs with the needs and timing of different user groups.

What’s happening in Zurich and Ticino is a clear example of the GOBEYOND philosophy: innovation driven by co-creation. By involving those on the front lines of emergency response, the project ensures that its tools are not only technically advanced but also tailored to the complex, real-world conditions in which they will be used.

The scenarios and use cases identified during the second round of workshops form the basis for the subsequent work. For selected use cases in both pilot regions, prototype applications providing targeted, impact-based information to specific user groups are developed. These prototypes are iteratively refined through discussions and workshops with local authorities. Following this process, the final solutions will be integrated into existing workflows at MeteoSwiss, with outputs made available through the Swiss national platform for natural hazards, GIN.

On July 5th, 2024, the GOBEYOND project marked a significant milestone with the organization of its first Living Lab in the Attica region of Greece. This event, co-organized by the Civil Protection Office of the Region of Attica and DRAXIS Environmental, brought together a diverse group of 15 local stakeholders, including Civil Protection Authorities from Piraeus and other municipalities, representatives from the Fire Department, the Hellenic Rescue Team and the National Observatory of Athens.

The primary objective of the Living Lab was to engage these key stakeholders in identifying existing limitations, better understand the needs of end-users and align the GOBEYOND solutions to meet these needs effectively. The project places significant emphasis on co-creation, so the event prioritized an inclusive and participatory framework where participants actively contributed their expertise.

The session introduced participants to the project’s goals, initiatives, and pilot demonstrations and highlighted the Multi-Risk Impact-based Early Warning System (MR-IEWS) that is being developed for geohazards and weather/climate events.

The event sparked very interesting discussions about the daily challenges faced by Attica’s Civil Protection Authorities and the various hazards impacting the region, such as floods, fires and earthquakes. Participants expressed keen interest in the MR-IEWS being developed by GOBEYOND and discussed how it could enhance their current practices by providing timely and accurate information, allowing for better preparedness, resource allocation, and coordinated response to natural hazards, ultimately reducing the impact on communities and infrastructure. The exchange of ideas and experiences helped identify specific requirements that would make the tools more effective and user-friendly.

Overall, the first Living Lab was a successful step in fostering collaboration and innovation among key stakeholders. By aligning GOBEYOND’s solutions with the real-world needs of end-users, the project is well on its way to strengthening resilience and promoting sustainable practices for mitigating the impact of natural hazards and disasters globally.

More Living Labs are set to follow, both in Attica as well as Andalusia and Campania. These initiatives will continue to build on the collaborative spirit and innovative solutions, further enhancing the project’s results.