Art-Science Fusion to Enhance Community-Building and Societal Resilience to Water-Related Disasters

Climate change is intensifying water-related disasters in Europe, exposing critical gaps in prevention, preparedness, and public awareness. Recent flood events revealed that despite scientific warnings and EU-level monitoring systems, insufficient communication and weak “risk culture” at local levels significantly increased human losses and societal impacts. While EU policies and research programs address disaster risk, a persistent disconnect between scientific knowledge, policy implementation, and local communities limits their effectiveness. The article argues for a more integrated and inclusive approach to disaster resilience, emphasizing improved science–policy interfaces, better coordination among stakeholders, and stronger knowledge transfer to citizens. It highlights the potential of combining science with arts and cultural practices as an innovative way to enhance communication, raise awareness, and foster emotional engagement with risk. By leveraging diverse artistic expressions and digital tools, this approach can make scientific information more accessible, strengthen community participation, and support social inclusion. Ultimately, the proposed “art–science” model aims to build a stronger culture of risk awareness, improve disaster preparedness, and enhance societal resilience, aligning with EU cultural, environmental, and resilience strategies while contributing to public well-being and mental health.