Reference Sheet X

The participants review their vulnerability to the most important threats. They summarize these in a few words or symbols on blue cards (one card for each), and place them on the relevant point of the Resilience Star (not in the center). Participants then repeat the process for capacities, using green cards (one for each capacity), and place these closer to the center. Then they separately brainstorm each of the capacities that help them build resilience, in relation to each characteristic.

Collectively, participants then consider each point, deciding how to evaluate their current situation with respect to their resilience. If they have many vulnerabilities and few capacities, they make a blue mark somewhere towards the outside of the star. If they have significant capacities, they make a mark nearer the center of the star.

Jointly, then, participants consider what needs to be done to get the blue mark to move closer to the center of the star. They may decide to acquire additional capacities or to reduce their vulnerabilities. Ideas are drawn from the problem and solution trees and are written on a card of any color (other than blue or green). When all aspects have been considered, the first stage of the risk‑informed community action plan (actions) is ready. It can then be assessed in terms of priorities, opportunities, responsibilities, funding, etc. When done for the first time, this exercise creates an image of the community’s resilience baseline. Monitoring and evaluation processes will create new markers to show how much progress has been achieved and what remains to be done. Monitoring may also identify emerging vulnerabilities and threats, or new capacities. These should also be taken into account when planning further actions.