As the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events continue to rise across Central Europe, local governments are increasingly required to not only respond more effectively to emergencies but also to assess and improve their disaster preparedness over time. To support this goal, the LOCALIENCE project—launched in April 2023 as part of the Interreg Central Europe programme—has introduced the Preliminary Appraisal Methodology (PAM), a forward-looking tool designed to evaluate and monitor the disaster resilience capacities of municipalities.
The core aim of the PAM is to help local and regional actors understand where they stand in terms of climate preparedness. It serves as a structured approach to identify strengths, highlight vulnerabilities, and guide targeted improvements in areas such as emergency planning, coordination, communication, and resource allocation.
Importantly, this methodology also functions as a long-term monitoring instrument. At the initial assessment, local communities gain insight into their existing gaps—whether in infrastructure, legal frameworks, human capacity, or response coordination. Based on these findings, targeted improvements and actions can be planned and implemented. Then, at a second or follow-up appraisal, the same methodology can be applied to track progress. This cyclical evaluation makes it possible for communities to measure their own development over time, reinforcing accountability and informed decision-making.
In summary, the Preliminary Appraisal Methodology is more than just an evaluation framework—it is a strategic monitoring tool that empowers local communities to take ownership of their climate resilience journey. By enabling evidence-based tracking of progress, it fosters a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring that lessons learned from past events translate into more robust, responsive, and future-proof local systems.