Addressing individual and group vulnerabilities in crisis management: insights from eight EU countries

Crisis management efforts across Europe increasingly focus on social vulnerability and resilience, yet the fields of (institutionalised) social support and governance for alleviating vulnerabilities are yet to be developed. In this paper we seek to develop a more systematic understanding of general patterns of resilience management practices targeted at mitigating and alleviating the vulnerability of individuals and groups. We have collected and synthesised information about the crisis management systems and practices in 8 European countries (Estonia, Finland, Sweden, Germany, Norway, Belgium, Italy and Hungary), including insights from more than 40 expert interviews with crisis managers and a document analysis of relevant policies, regulations, and official guidelines. We base our findings on multidisciplinary case studies of notable man-made and natural crises. The primarily qualitative material enables to indicate similarities and differences in interpretations and functioning of the crisis management systems in handling vulnerable groups across Europe. The research indicates whether and how vulnerability is considered in national approaches in crisis governance; and, how the resilience of a variety of population groups is conceptualised and taken into account. These questions allow us to find out whether or not some groups are ‘forgotten’ in national resilience/crisis management planning in Europe. The paper discusses possible ways for pan-European coordination of vulnerability reduction. The study presents insights from the Horizon 2020 research project BuildERS (buildersproject.eu) that explores the strengths and limitations in protection and care provision throughout Europe and illuminates what helps individuals and communities to cope and /or makes them vulnerable to various crises.