Since the launch of the Council of Europe’s EDURES Pilot Project in Spring 2024, significant strides have been made in implementing the toolkit designed to enhance education during emergencies and crises. The project, focused on the Friuli Venezia Giulia region in Italy, particularly in Tolmezzo and Cividale del Friuli, has involved six schools — three in each area — in an active evaluation process.

Coordinated by the Regional Director of the Education, Guidance, and Right to Study Service, Central Directorate for Work, Training, Education, and Family of Friuli Venezia Giulia, and supported by the Institute of International Sociology of Gorizia, this initiative has seen early results that underscore the toolkit’s value for both schools and the broader region.

In recent weeks, the municipalities of Cividale del Friuli and Tolmezzo have embarked on their own EDURES self-assessment processes, supported by local civil protection units. This collaboration has been pivotal in refining the toolkit’s practical applications and effectiveness.

The summer months will see continued evaluation, leading up to a significant meeting in October. This event will bring together all local stakeholders to develop strategies for enhancing community resilience. Students from participating schools are set to play a crucial role, contributing innovative solutions and helping to identify key actions to bolster the resilience of their educational environments. Their involvement is anticipated to bring new perspectives and foster a stronger sense of ownership and community engagement.

The EDURES Pilot Project in Friuli Venezia Giulia exemplifies the power of collaborative efforts in building resilient educational settings. The combined efforts of schools, municipalities, civil protection units, and students demonstrate a comprehensive approach to securing a resilient future for the region.

“As the first pilot at the member states level, we are very grateful for the cooperation of various stakeholders at local and regional levels, especially the schools, municipalities and Civil protection in the areas of Tolmezzo and Cividale del Friuli; the upcoming phase, involving students in co-creating resilience actions, is essential for maintaining education continuity in the future, even in times of emergencies and crises; the results are highly relevant, and we look forward to presenting our findings to the member States in Strasbourg in Spring 2025,” said Ms Patrizia Pavatti, Director of the Education, Guidance and Right to Study Service, Central Directorate for Work, Training, Education and Family of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region as coordinator of the EDURES piloting.

Source: https://www.coe.int/en/web/education/-/education-at-times-of-emergencies-and-crisis-edures-pilot-project-progresses-in-friuli-venezia-giulia-region