Description of the Action
Anticipating extreme risks before they happen
ANTICIPATE brings together experts from across Europe to rethink how risks are understood, predicted, and communicated, moving from reactive responses to proactive preparedness.
The challenge
Short-term forecasts (7–10 days) focus on single hazards, while real-world risks are interconnected and often cascade into multiple impacts.
The gap
Forecasting tools now extend several weeks ahead, but they are not yet integrated into operational warning systems or decision-making processes.
The approach
ANTICIPATE brings together disciplines to integrate multi-hazard knowledge with extended-range forecasting, enabling a more complete understanding of how risks interact.
The impact
Earlier, clearer warnings that support real-world decisions and strengthen preparedness across Europe.
Background
Why is this COST Action needed
01
Increasingly complex risks
Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and interconnected. A single event can trigger cascading impacts across water, health, and energy systems.
02
Limits of current forecasting
Although forecasts can extend weeks ahead, most warning systems still focus on single hazards. This limits preparedness and reduces reaction time.
03
Fragmented expertise
Scientists, emergency planners, and policymakers often work separately. As a result, knowledge does not always translate into practical solutions on the ground.
04
Need for better information
Authorities require clearer, earlier, and more reliable information. This is especially critical in vulnerable regions with limited response capacity.
05
Bridging science and action
Challenge is not only predicting events, but making information usable. Without this, scientific advances remain underused while risks continue to grow.
06
A coordinated response
ANTICIPATE addresses these gaps by connecting disciplines, improving forecasts, and strengthening Europe’s preparedness for future risks.
Objectives of this Action
A coordinated approach to multi-hazard risk management
01
Understanding risks better
- The project aims to build a shared understanding of how different hazards, like heatwaves, floods, and storms, interact and affect people, especially as the climate changes. It looks at what causes these events, how they are connected, and whether they can be predicted weeks in advance.
- By improving this overall picture, scientists and decision-makers can better anticipate complex “chain reaction” disasters instead of treating each event separately.
02
Improving forecasts and tools
- A key goal is to develop better ways to predict multiple hazards together over longer timeframes, using both existing weather models and newer technologies like artificial intelligence. This includes creating practical methods, shared tools, and clear guidance on how to use data effectively.
- The project also works on designing early warning approaches that fit with international systems, helping forecasts become more useful, consistent, and ready for real-world use.
03
Turning science into useful warnings
- Beyond research, the project focuses on making forecasts easier to understand and act on by working directly with stakeholders like emergency services and public authorities. Together, they will co-create warning tools and services that people can actually use in decision-making.
- It also aims to raise awareness through outreach, using stories, visuals, and events, to make complex science accessible to professionals and the general public alike.
04
Building skills & collaboration across Europe
- The project will create a Europe-wide network that brings together experts from different fields, from weather science to disaster management and communication. This collaboration is meant to spark new ideas and improve how risks are managed overall.
- It will also train the next generation of scientists and practitioners, while helping stakeholders better understand multi-hazard risks and the benefits of longer-range forecasts for preparedness.
Scientific Programme
From research to real-world impact
ANTICIPATE delivers a wide range of activities and outputs
Working Group meetings
Regular meetings bring together experts from across disciplines to coordinate research efforts, share progress, and align on key priorities. These sessions foster collaboration and ensure coherence across all Working Groups.
Training Schools
ANTICIPATE organises training schools to equip early-career researchers and practitioners with cutting-edge knowledge and skills in multi-hazard prediction, forecasting, and early warning systems.
Short-Term Scientific Missions (STSMs)
STSMs support research visits between institutions, enabling knowledge exchange, collaboration, and the development of innovative approaches to multi-hazard challenges across Europe.
Policy briefs and publications
The Action produces scientific publications and policy briefs to translate research findings into actionable insights, supporting decision-makers and stakeholders in risk management and early warning strategies.
Workshops and collaborative events
A range of workshops and events engage researchers, stakeholders, and policymakers, promoting dialogue, co-design, and the practical application of multi-hazard forecasting and early warning solutions.