Chefchaouen-Living Lab

Chefchaouen Living Lab

Co-Designing Localised Risk Management Tools in Chefchaouen province (Morocco)
The GOBEYOND Living Lab in the province of Chefchaouen in northern Morocco brings together provincial and national players to co-create a tailor-made platform, with the support of PREDICT Services. The laboratory focuses on provinces frequently affected by hydro-meteorological and geological hazards - in particular the city of Chefchaouen - providing them with tools to enhance risk preparedness and decision support during risky events.

Stakeholders involved:

DGRN

Province of Chefchaouen

PREDICT Services

Co-Creation Meeting

First Co-Creation Workshop 15 January 2025

DGRN – DGM – ABH – 15 January 2025

The first workshop took place on 15 January 2025 through a combination of in-person and virtual sessions involving the national meteorological service (DGM), the Chefchaouen provincial basin agency (ABH) and the DGRN. Discussions focused on identifying and harmonising the available datasets to be integrated into the platform, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the province’s diverse hazards. This initial exchange established a shared understanding of data needs and technical capabilities among partners.

Co-Creation Meeting

Second Co-Creation Workshop 10 March 2025

DGRN – 10 March 2025

A second session was held on 10 March 2025 under the coordination of DGRN. During this meeting, participants received training on the first operational version of the EW4MED platform specifically deployed for the Chefchaouen province. The session provided an opportunity to test the system’s functionalities in real-life scenarios and collect user feedback on its usability and relevance for local risk management practices.

Co-Creation Meeting

Third Co-Creation Workshop 05 June 2025

DGRN – 05 June 2025

The third workshop took place on 5 June 2025 and focused on reviewing progress and consolidating improvements based on insights gathered from the previous sessions, including feedback from the regional exchange workshop in Seville. Participants assessed the updated features of the platform and agreed on a plan for a comprehensive training session for all stakeholders scheduled for the end of June. This continuous process ensures that the Chefchaouen Living Lab evolves as a practical, user-driven tool for effective multi-hazard risk management in Morocco.

Co-Creation Meeting

Fourth Co-Creation Workshop 08-11 June 2026

DGRN – Provincial Government – Security & Civil Protection Services 08-11 June 2026

The fourth workshop took place on 18 June 2025 in Chefchaouen, bringing together representatives from the Chefchaouen provincial government, police, fire department, fire risk management officials, and the Director General of Natural Risks at the Moroccan Ministry of the Interior (DGRN). The session combined a presentation of the GOBEYOND project, hands-on training on the EW4MED platform, and collaborative work on developing multi-hazard action plans. A field visit was conducted to assess local risk contexts, followed by a simulation exercise designed to test the different aspects of risk management and validate the platform's operational readiness in real conditions. This fourth workshop marks a significant step in embedding the EW4MED platform within local institutional practices, strengthening the Chefchaouen Living Lab as a fully operational, stakeholder-driven tool for multi-hazard risk management in Morocco.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme for research and innovation under grant agreement No. 101121135. Additional funding is provided by the Swiss Government.