Participation in the "Strengthening the Disaster Resilience of SMEs project"

"Strengthening the Disaster Resilience of SMEs project" is facilitated by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and three cities (Sendai; Barcelona, Spain; Bridgetown, Barbados) are involved as pilot cities. The period of implementation is from June 2024 until June 2026.
The three pilot cities analyze current situation, share challenges and compile good practices, and these efforts will contribute to strengthening resilience of Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) around the world.
These three pilot cities participated in two workshops: one held in Dubai in November 2024, and the other in Barcelona in March 2025. Each participating group gave a presentation that included an overview of their city, disasters that their city experienced up until then, in addition to the DRR initiatives and challenges of their city, and the current situation of their local SMEs. Moreover, members had a lively exchange of opinions on future measures that should be implemented to strengthen DRR resilience of SMEs.

A workshop hosted by the UNDRR in Barcelona, March 2025

This project conducts awareness surveys and workshops targeting SMEs in each city.
In Sendai City during October 2025, a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) seminar was held in collaboration with the UNDRR to enhance business continuity capabilities among local SMEs; 25 participants from 18 companies were in attendance. It featured an introduction to the project, a keynote speech on the importance of BCPs as a management strategy, and a workshop simulating a large-scale earthquake scenario. These activities served as an important first step in promoting understanding and concrete actions among participating companies.

BCP Seminar held in Sendai City, October 2025

Links

Official website of the UNDRR