Participatory Evaluation: Case Studies of International Full Scale Exercises

Civil protection exercises form an important part of crisis preparedness. In this regard, full scale exercises are of particular importance, as they not only allow to practice the operational response to a scenario, but also the underlying coordination structures. In order to be able to benefit from the outcomes after the exercise has been completed, evaluation is a decisive key. Current challenges lie both in the strategic alignment and in the operational implementation of the exercise evaluation in a form that generates real added value. This paper illustrates the comprehensive implementation of an evaluation process that addresses the above-mentioned challenges using a participatory approach in two case studies. With access to two international full scale exercises, challenges, best practices and future research needs in the evaluation of civil protection exercises can be identified.