EMMA is building a complete package—training, tools, and guidelines—to help small and medium-sized municipalities coordinate citizen volunteers safely and effectively during climate-related disasters.

What EMMA will deliver

EMMA’s planned results are structured around three concrete needs:

  1. A shared operational method for municipalities
  2. Practical training for municipal staff (and relevant local actors)
  3. A toolkit and guidelines that support real-world coordination and long-term adoption

Result 1 — EMMA Methodological Intervention Model

What it is: A practical, transferable framework that helps municipalities manage volunteers during climate emergencies—designed with evidence and stakeholder input.

What it includes (planned):

  • Step-by-step volunteer coordination processes for municipal contexts
  • Templates and adaptable guidelines for different local realities
  • A knowledge base built from 30 documented best practices, interviews, and volunteer focus groups

How it’s built (planned activities):

  • Desk research and documentation of best practices (5 per partner; 30 total)
  • Interviews with civil servants, politicians, and VET trainers
  • Participatory focus groups with citizen volunteers

Planned deliverables:

  • Guidelines for developing the methodological model
  • Documented methodological model

Status label suggestion: In development (publish when validated)

Result 2 — EMMA MOOC (Training Programme)

What it is: A multilingual MOOC designed to equip municipal employees with the skills needed to coordinate citizen volunteers during disaster relief operations—built for small and medium-sized municipalities.

What learners can expect (planned):

  • Practical learning aligned with real municipal challenges and roles
  • Online access to ensure continuous learning and easy updates
  • Skills-focused content to support more consistent approaches across municipalities

Long-term access: The online learning platform will remain accessible after the project, with periodic updates supported by partners.

Status label suggestion: Coming soon (with module list once ready)

Result 3 — Digital Toolkit for Volunteer Coordination

What it is: A practical toolkit that municipal staff can use to coordinate citizen volunteers more effectively—supporting communication, task assignment, and resource organisation.

Planned features and approach:

  • Designed to reduce chaos from uncoordinated volunteer mobilisation
  • Supports fast, structured deployment and clearer communication flows
  • Developed with an innovation focus (including advanced technology elements referenced in the project design)

Sustainability commitment: The toolkit will be maintained and enhanced beyond the funded period, supported by partners’ follow-up plans and future funding pathways.

Status label suggestion: Prototype → Pilot → Release (show versions as the project progresses)

Result 4 — Policy Recommendations and Adoption Guidelines

What it is: Actionable guidance for policymakers and public authorities to integrate EMMA’s model and tools into governance and civil protection frameworks.

What it supports (planned):

  • Institutional uptake in local and regional emergency protocols
  • Mainstreaming and transferability across municipalities
  • Longer-term standardisation and alignment with broader civil protection strategies

Status label suggestion: Planned for final phase (publishable as a downloadable PDF + summary)

Result 5 — EMMA Digital Platform and Community Space

What it is: A digital hub hosting the MOOC, toolkit, and training materials—plus a space for municipalities to exchange practices and learn from each other.

Planned components:

  • Public project website and resources hub
  • Best-practice exchange community space
  • Data/analytics to monitor engagement and improve content

Expected impact (targets we will measure)

EMMA defines measurable indicators to track progress and adoption, including:

  • ≥80% of trainees reporting improved skills (pre/post self-assessment)
  • MOOC integration into internal training plans of 100% partners’ municipalities, and at least 50% of other participating municipalities
  • Toolkit dissemination to at least 30 municipalities through events and networks
  • Outreach reaching 10,500 people through events, newsletters, and the website
  • Sustained use of tools by ≥80% of partners’ municipalities at 12 and 24 months after project completion