On 28 May 2026, the TOGETHER Project organised its first Living Lab workshop in Egaleo, Greece, bringing together representatives from local authorities, social services, civil protection, volunteer organisations, researchers, and community groups to discuss heatwave preparedness and resilience.
The workshop forms part of TOGETHER’s co-creation approach, which engages stakeholders in the development of practical solutions for improving disaster risk management and governance. Through the project’s Disaster Risk Management Innovation Hubs (DRMIHs), participants help identify local challenges, validate project outputs, and contribute to the design of the TOGETHER Toolkit.
Discussions in Egaleo focused on the challenges posed by extreme heat, particularly for vulnerable populations, including elderly people, individuals experiencing energy poverty, and socially isolated citizens. Participants highlighted the importance of community networks, local support services, effective coordination mechanisms, and targeted communication strategies to reduce the impacts of heatwaves.
The workshop also explored opportunities to strengthen governance, improve preparedness planning, and develop practical decision-support tools tailored to local needs. Insights gathered during the Living Lab will contribute to the ongoing development of the TOGETHER Toolkit and support the project’s goal of enhancing disaster resilience and cross-sector cooperation across Europe.
The outcomes from Egaleo will help inform future project activities and the next phases of stakeholder engagement across the TOGETHER Living Labs.
