PSI - Issue 78

Silvia Santarelli et al. / Procedia Structural Integrity 78 (2026) 333–340

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ability to act autonomously, relying on pre-existing relationships and local resources, becomes crucial (Comfort, 2007). The state of the art and current trends in this field highlight how self-organization emerges more easily in small centers and communities with strong social ties, where mutual knowledge and trust facilitate spontaneous cooperation (Darab et al., 2020). Past experiences have shown that the first responders are often neighbors, family members, and members of the community itself (Ainuddin et al., 2024). Promoting self-organization involves training citizens in first aid techniques, creating local volunteer networks, mapping resources and skills present in the community, and disseminating clear information on how to act in an emergency. In contexts with low transport connectivity, where isolation is a concrete risk, self-organization takes on even greater importance, becoming the sole guarantee of survival for the first hours or days after the disaster. 4. Resilience strategies in the European Union to prepare citizens to face emergencies The European Union has recognized the importance of resilience as a key element for the security of its citizens and the stability of its economies (see Fig.1). Resilience strategies in the EU aim to strengthen the capacity of Member States to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from a wide range of disasters, including seismic ones. At a political level, the European Commission and the European Parliament have promoted various initiatives, such as the Union Civil Protection Mechanism, which facilitates coordination and assistance among Member States in case of emergencies (European Commission, 2025).

Fig. 1. Resilience of vital societal functions (European Commission, 2025).

EU policies encourage Member States to develop national risk management plans, conduct risk assessments, and invest in prevention and preparedness. The focus is on public awareness, civil protection education in schools, and the promotion of volunteering. However, the implementation of these strategies varies significantly among individual countries. Some Member States, with a history of exposure to seismic risks, have developed advanced preparedness programs, including population training and the establishment of aid collection and distribution centers. Others, while recognizing the importance of resilience, still need to address significant gaps in their planning and implementation. A comparative analysis of European strategies reveals that while the political framework is well-defined, its translation into concrete actions at the local level and the effective participation of citizens remain open challenges.