What is COVALEX?

The COVALEX (Community of Valued Experts in Hydrometeorological and Technological Multi-Hazards) project, funded by the European Union, aims to establish a community of experts in hydrometeorological and technological hazards. Hydrometeorological hazards include thunderstorms, heavy snowfall, floods, droughts, heat and cold waves. These hazards can in turn be the cause of secondary hazards such as landslides and forest fires. They also give rise to technological risks - for example, heavy snowfall can lead to power outages lasting several days.

COVALEX aims to pool and utilise experience, different geographical locations and networks and promote prevention, preparation and testing processes. The project brings together scientists, practitioners and political decision-makers who are involved in the governance of risks and disasters. This will establish a network that works together in a multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral manner and applies scientific findings to disaster risk management.

Specifically, COVALEX aims to achieve the following goals:

·       Expand existing knowledge networks and form a thematic COVALEX network that collects, exchanges and disseminates knowledge, skills and applicable solutions

·       Development of scenario-based activities for capacity building and application of scientific knowledge in relation to specific risks of hydrometeorological and technological multi-hazard disaster risks

·       Provision of a "Resilient LibLab" - a platform containing relevant publications and digital solutions

·       Provision of general guidelines as well as planning tools, action plans, assessment reports and other analytical products