The ‘I don’t take risk’ (Io non rischio) campaign is an Italian public communication initiative aimed at promoting good civil protection practices. It emphasises the synergy between science, volunteers, and institutions to translate awareness into everyday risk-reducing actions. The campaign has evolved since 2011 into a multi-year, multi-platform initiative involving schools, volunteers, digital tools, comics, webinars, and interactive media.
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I Don't Take Risk
General Information
ISIG
Public communication initiative promoting civil protection practices.
Italy faces a variety of natural and human-made risks. Earthquakes are frequent in the Apennines and southern regions, while floods affect low-lying areas like the Po Valley. Forest fires threaten northern, central, and southern regions, and active volcanoes such as Vesuvius, Etna, Stromboli, and Vulcano pose ongoing hazards. Tsunamis, though rare, can occur along coastal areas. Human-made risks include industrial accidents, nuclear hazards, and potential dam failures.
Needs Addressed
Public awareness and preparedness for the risks addressed by the campaign were recorded to be low, leaving communities exposed to potential disasters and highlighting the urgent need for educational and preventive initiatives. The lack of widespread knowledge about how to act before, during, and after emergencies further increases the potential impact of these events on people, property, and the environment.
The campaign is designed to be accessible to everyone, regardless of age, education, physical, or social condition. Specific school programs target elementary and secondary students.
Italy’s civil protection system is a decentralised and multi-stakeholder model, where responsibility begins with municipalities under the mayor, escalates to regional authorities, and reaches the national level when local capacities are exceeded. It integrates government bodies, emergency services, scientific institutions, private operators, and NGOs, with a strong reliance on organised volunteers. While communities and volunteers play a crucial role in support, coordination and decision-making remain firmly with public authorities.
Italy’s civil protection system is highly effective in organised response, with strong coordination across municipal, regional, and national levels and a vast volunteer network. While preparedness measures exist, the system is more response-oriented than prevention-focused, with greater emphasis on managing crises once they occur rather than investing heavily in advance risk reduction.
Italy has strong infrastructures for disaster response, with well-equipped emergency services, advanced monitoring systems, and a vast volunteer network enabling rapid mobilisation. However, preventive infrastructure such as resilient land-use planning and building retrofitting is less developed, making the system more response-oriented than prevention-focused.
The campaign actively engages a range of stakeholders, including volunteers, schools, scientific institutions, local authorities, and citizens, who participate directly in organizing and delivering initiatives rather than simply receiving information. Activities in schools, comics, VR experiences, webinars, and piazza events are co-created and co-owned, reflecting shared responsibility and collaboration with public authorities. The campaign raises public awareness of natural and human-made disaster risks, providing citizens with the knowledge to recognize hazards and understand their potential impact. It promotes proactive, preventive behaviors that individuals, families, and communities can adopt to reduce vulnerability and enhance safety, while fostering a lasting culture of civil protection and collective responsibility.
- Public communication campaigns in streets and piazzas.
- Involvement of schools in the educational programme, including video lessons to help teachers deliver the civil protection topic, supported by Civil Protection experts and scientists.
- Comics and cross-media storytelling (‘L’attimo decisivo’, ‘La virgola’) and a digital multi-risk booklet with preventive and emergency guidance.
- Digital engagement and online events (“piazze digitali”, webinars), primarily for volunteers, with selected sessions available on the Io non rischio YouTube channel.
- Card games (“Fai la tua scelta”).
- National awareness days.
- Social media presence on Facebook, X (@iononrischio), Instagram (@io_non_rischio), YouTube, and Flickr, moderated by volunteers and staff; content includes campaign news, civil protection updates, volunteering information, and partner events.
In the Io non rischio campaign, participants influence both design and implementation by contributing to educational programs, events, and digital tools. Schools, volunteers, and local institutions provide input on content, activities, and engagement methods, helping shape materials. This ensures stakeholders co-own parts of the campaign and actively guide its strategy and execution.
The Io non rischio ampaign enhances long-term resilience by equipping citizens, students, and communities with knowledge and practical skills to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. This hands-on involvement develops their ability to assess risks, plan actions, and make informed choices in real emergencies, fostering a culture of proactive, shared responsibility that persists beyond individual campaign events.
Geographical Scope - Nuts
Geographical Scope
Population Size
Population Density
Vulnerable Groups
Governance
Emergency Preparedness
Infrastructure Readiness
Engagement Level
Empowerment Level
Implementation
- Multi-risk coverage including earthquakes, floods, volcanoes, tsunamis, forest fires, industrial and nuclear risks.
- Integration of volunteers, scientific institutions, schools, and local authorities.
- Use of cross-media and gamification tools (comics, card games, VR, digital booklets).
- Year-round engagement model (Io non rischio 365).
- Digital and hybrid approaches for communication during COVID-19.
- Involvement with the IT-alert system for public warning.
- Educational video lessons and webinars for teachers and volunteers.
Italian, with some content in English.
The lead organization is the Italian Department of Civil Protection, with partners including the National Association of Public Assistance, the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, the Inter-University Consortium of Earthquake Engineering Laboratories, the CIMA Foundation, the Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, and the National Institute of Oceanography and Experimental Geophysics.
The Italian Department of Civil Protection has a mature and adaptive DRM system, combining multi-hazard expertise, national coordination, and local implementation guided by the principle of subsidiarity. Its emphasis on volunteer and youth involvement, research, and continuous learning strengthens both operational effectiveness and societal resilience.
- Volunteers and volunteer associations.
- Schools and educators.
- Local and regional authorities.
- Media and communication partners
- Pilot Launch: tested campaign on seismic risk in select cities.
- National Expansion: grew to more piazzas and launched a website.
- Broader Scope: added new hazards and distinct visual identity.
- Institutionalization: engaged authorities, schools, and Servizio Civile; gained recognition.
- Growth: introduced “super piazze” and new engagement formats.
- Digital Shift: adopted virtual piazzas, hybrid events, and live-streaming.
- Innovation & Knowledge: added VR experiences, new risks, and published a civil protection textbook.
- Permanent Model: year-round campaign, expanded risks, educational comics, IT-alert integration, and interactive tools.
Resources required include volunteers and human resources, educational materials such as textbooks, comics, games, and VR experiences, as well as logistics for organizing national piazzas and digital communication infrastructure. In addition, the campaign relies on the involvement of experts, and coordination with national, regional, and local authorities, ensuring that all activities follow standard civil protection procedures.
- 2011 – Launch: pilot seismic risk campaign in 9 cities.
- 2012 – National Expansion: extended to 100+ piazzas, website launched.
- 2013–2014 – Broader Scope: new risks (tsunami, flood) and adoption of yellow visual identity.
- 2015–2016 – Institutionalization: involvement of Regions/Provinces, first Servizio Civile project, national recognition, and inclusion of schools in the educational programme.
- 2017–2019 – Growth: “Super piazze,” expansion of formats and engagement.
- 2020–2021 – Digital Shift: Creation of piazze digitali during COVID-19; hybrid events and live-streaming introduced.
- 2022 – Innovation & Knowledge: launch of VR experiences, new risks (volcanoes). Publication of the institutional textbook “Basic Training in Civil Protection” to support teachers in integrating civil protection into the national curriculum.
- 2023 – Permanent Model: Io non rischio 365, inclusion of forest fire risks, launch of the comic “L’attimo decisivo”.
- 2024 – Integration & New Tools: link with IT-alert, release of the second comic “La virgola”, and launch of the card game “Fai la tua scelta”.
Experience of the Implementing Organisation in DRM
Target Audience
Resources Required
Timeframe & Phases
Participation Results
- COVID-19 pandemic: switched to digital piazzas and online engagement.
- Large-scale volunteer coordination: creation of standardized training programs.
- Inclusive engagement: development of school programs, video lessons, and multi-age materials.
- Volunteer coordination: standardized training ensures consistent participation.
- School engagement: structured programs, comics, and digital tools support teachers.
- Technology management: robust digital infrastructure maintains online activities.
- Clear communication: age-appropriate, multi-platform messaging reaches all audiences.
- Authority alignment: coordination with national, regional, and local authorities standardizes procedures.
- External disruptions: hybrid and adaptable approaches maintain continuity.
- Long-term engagement: year-round campaign with continuously updated materials fosters resilience.
Risk & Mitigation Plan
Scalability and Sustainability
- Year-round campaign (Io non rischio 365)
- Integration with national Servizio Civile (program that allows young people, typically between 18 and 28 years old, to participate in socially useful activities for the community) and school programs
- Continuous updates of educational tools, comics, video lessons, and digital content
The campaign’s multi-risk and cross-media approach allows it to remain flexible in addressing diverse hazards. Its tools, including comics, video lessons, and digital booklets, can be adapted and applied effectively in different contexts.
The “Io non rischio” campaign uses innovative technology to enhance awareness and engagement in disaster preparedness. Digital piazzas, virtual reality experiences (Sisma VR), and web-streamed national events enable remote participation, while interactive comics, card games, and digital multi-risk booklets make learning engaging and accessible. IT-alert integration, webinars, and online training support real-time emergency notifications and education for teachers and volunteers. These tools combine science, education, and digital communication to build a resilient, informed society.
Information on direct costs is not available.
Information on operational costs is not available.
A sustained, multi-year and multi-platform engagement strategy helps to significantly increase public awareness and preparedness by ensuring that information reaches diverse audiences through various channels over time. The active integration of volunteers, schools, and scientific institutions not only broadens participation but also strengthens social ownership, fostering a sense of shared responsibility for resilience and safety. At the same time, the use of digital tools, gamification techniques, and interactive webinars provides innovative ways to maintain continuity of learning and engagement, even during times of crisis, ensuring that communities remain informed, connected, and empowered.