Enhancing risk governance by addressing key risk communication barriers during the prevention and preparedness phase in South Tyrol (Italy)

Abstract

Different European policies emphasise that good risk governance can only be achieved through effective communication between the different risk governance actors. It is well known, that effective risk communication should be set up as part of risk prevention and risk preparedness, long before a potentially hazardous event or process occurs. To address this issue, our paper, as part of the results of the Interreg project RiKoST, presents an exploratory study to identify what types of challenges and barriers can be recognised in risk communication related to risk prevention in South Tyrol, Italy. As a first step we identified a wide range of key actors, who, in different ways, already have or could potentially have a role in risk communication. Subsequently, we undertook 20 semi-structured interviews with institutional actors, key informants, and practitioners. Our main findings could inform both policy recommendations and academic research to improve risk communication, acting on risk training/education and risk culture as aspects to be addressed to enhance risk governance in the prevention and preparedness phase.