Mangroves at coast
© René Arnold

RISK Award

Because disaster risk management must become a major global concern

RISK Award

Recent decades have seen a significant increase in the number of catastrophes with devastating consequences. Disaster prevention is more vital than ever, and local projects show particular promise. The RISK Award, launched in 2012, will award up to €100,000 every two years to fund groundbreaking projects. It is jointly organised by Munich Re Foundation and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).

RISK Award Logo
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About the Award

The risks posed by population development, environmental and climate change are increasing. Complex technical systems and infrastructure are additional risk factors. The Award partners recognise the need to address this development. The RISK Award has been set up to help improve risk reduction and disaster management by providing financial support to projects dedicated to this topic.

We want to support innovative ideas, develop them further and help to scale them. Visibility, impact and enthusiasm should be embodied by the projects. Climate change, disaster risk reduction and sustainable development must go hand in hand to secure the future. For this reason, our projects are in line with the 2015 Paris Agreement, the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the Sendai Framework for Action.

The RISK Award, endowed with €100,000, is assigned to operational projects in the field of risk reduction and disaster management. The prize is awarded every two years. The endowment for the RISK Award is provided by the Munich Re Foundation. We use UNDRR's networks and platforms to inform on the topic, select winners, and organize the awarding ceremonies, – on site and online. Together, we can provide the winners the visibility their outstanding project ideas deserve.

Logistics, schedules and more

Further information on all RISK Award projects

Best project proposals in an overview

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Best Project Proposals 2021
Eco- and nature-based solutions for disaster risk reduction
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Best Project Proposals 2019
Coastal Resilience
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Best Project Proposals 2017
Information and Communication Technologies for DRR and DRM
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Best Project Proposals 2015
Disaster risk reduction – people-centred, innovative and sustainable
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Best Project Proposals 2014
Disaster emergencies — Resilience for the most vulnerable

The award winners in an overview

Year Topic Country Winner
2021 Strong Roots, Strong Women: Empowering women for community and coastal ecosystem resilience in central Vietnam Vietnam Centre for Social Research and Development (CSRD) and UP Transfer GmbH at the University of Potsdam
2019 Upscaling the concept of floating homes in Bangladesh Bangladesh University of Dundee and Resilience Solution
2017 EpiNurse Project Nepal Nursing Association of Nepal (NAN)
2015 Community self assessment India All India Institute of Local Self-Government (AIILSG)
2014 Peñaflor town inclusive safe community: resilience for all Chile ONG Inclusiva
2012 Making the city of Beira resilient to floods and cyclones Mozambique IP Consult/Ambero Consult
RISK Award - Watch the promotional video
Munich Re Foundation
2017_RISK Award_1_1
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