"Public Empowerment Policies for Crisis ManagementThe aim of the project Public Empowerment Policies for crisis management (PEP) is to investigate how the crisis response abilities of the public can be enhanced and to clarify what public empowerment policies are successful in realising these objectives. A general goal of crisis management is prevention and reduction of harm or damage. This is supported by the communication goals set for citizens: empowerment to act, social understanding of risks and increased cooperation. The role of communities in crisis response can be enhanced, while human technology can support preparedness training and the issuing of instructions in crisis situations.The primary goal of the (Coordination and Support) project is to bring together expertise to construct a Road Map showing promising areas and directions for future research and implementation. Various studies will bring new insights, using mixed research methods, to identify what public empowerment policies are strong enablers of public resilience. By investigating best practices in educating citizens and working with communities, taking their point of view into account, potential key enablers for public empowerment will be identified and analysed.The project will implement studies that address current gaps in the research. To identify the key enablers for public resilience, a broad overview of best practices in how authorities currently enhance public response abilities will be delivered. In addition the project will clarify how authorities can successfully involve social groups and communities in crisis preparedness and response. Promising developments in the use of social network online tools and mobile devices will be identified within a human technology approach, taking preferences and public acceptance into account.In order to enhance the crisis response abilities of the public, communication policies, including technology in building self-efficacy among the public,"