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Abstract. The European Union Floods Directive requires the establishment of flood maps for high risk areas in all European member states by 2013. However, the current practice of flood mapping in Europe still shows some deficits. Firstly, flood maps are frequently seen as an information tool rather than a communication tool. This means that, for example, local stocks of knowledge are not incorporated. Secondly, the contents of flood maps often do not match the requirements of the end-users. Finally, flood maps are often designed and visualised in a way that cannot be easily understood by residents at risk and/or that is not suitable for the respective needs of public authorities in risk and event management. The RISK MAP project examined how end-user participation in the mapping process may be used to overcome these barriers and enhance the communicative power of flood maps, fundamentally increasing their effectiveness.Based on empirical findings from a participatory approach that incorporated interviews, workshops and eye-tracking tests, conducted in five European case studies, this paper outlines recommendations for user-specific enhancements of flood maps. More specific, recommendations are given with regard to (1) appropriate stakeholder participation processes, which allow incorporating local knowledge and preferences, (2) the improvement of the contents of flood maps by considering user-specific needs and (3) the improvement of the visualisation of risk maps in order to produce user-friendly and understandable risk maps for the user groups concerned. Furthermore, "idealised" maps for different user groups are presented: for strategic planning, emergency management and the public.

Recent international agreements such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement have all recognized the importance of developing and operationalising multi-hazard early warning systems that integrate the specificities of single-hazard early warning systems in a holistic, systematic and coordinated manner to promote synergies and maximize efficiency. While much progress has been made in recent years towards the advancement of knowledge and practice related to early warning systems worldwide, the lack of multi-disciplinary and transboundary cooperation among and across communities of scientists, decision-makers and practitioners continues to be a key challenge for the successful establishment and operation of these systems. To address this gap, major international and national organizations have collaborated to establish the International Network for Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems (IN-MHEWS), with the aim of facilitating knowledge sharing and capacity development for multi-hazard early warning systems around the globe. This paper presents an overview of advances and challenges in promoting a multi-hazard and systematic approach to early warning, as well as the aim, objectives and expected contributions of this newly established Network. KeywordsMulti-hazard early warning systems Á Sendai framework for disaster risk reduction 2015-2030 Á Multi-stakeholder partnerships Á Knowledge sharing Á

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Abstract. This brief communication presents the work and objectives of the CATALYST project on "Capacity Development for Hazard Risk Reduction and Adaptation" funded by the European Commission (October 2011-September 2013. CATALYST set up a multi-regional think tank covering four regions (Central America and the Caribbean, East and West Africa, the European Mediterranean, and South and Southeast Asia), intending to strengthen capacity development for stakeholders involved in disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation, in the context of natural hazards. This communication concludes with a selection of recommendations for capacity development in DRR and climate change adaptation from the perspective of governance issues.