EQuiP

Development of Network-Oriented Quality in Psychosocial Crisis Management within Public Administration

Project Duration: 01/10/2024 - 30/09/2027

Principal Investigator: Prof. Dr. Olaf Neumann

Project Staff: Laura Aßmann

Partners:
- Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Recht Berlin (Koordination)
- Senatsverwaltung für Inneres und Sport Berlin (Verbundpartner)
- Gesundheitsamt Frankfurt am Main (Verbundpartner)

Associated Partners:
- Notfallseelsorge/Krisenintervention Berlin
- Notfallseelsorge Frankfurt, Diakonisches Werk
- Kriseninterventionsteam ASB München
- Landeszentralstelle Psychosoziale Notfallversorgung (PSNV) Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
- Der Beauftragte für Polizei- und Notfallseelsorge der EKKW (angefragt)
- Landesfeuerwehrschule Schleswig-Holstein, Landeszentralstelle PSNV
- Erzbischöfliches Ordinariat München, Notfallseelsorge
- Berliner Feuerwehr- und Rettungsdienst-Akademie
- Feuerwehrseelsorge Hamburg / Leitung Notfallseelsorge
- Medical School Hamburg GmbH
- Bundesamt für Bevölkerungsschutz und Katastrophenhilfe (BBK)

Abstract:
Natural disasters, terrorist attacks, forced migration, and pandemics that may lead to crises pose significant challenges for both the state and society. Such complex crisis situations often result in considerable psychosocial stress for various societal groups. Research has shown that the behaviour and attitudes of the population—such as through protective measures or self-organization— play a decisive role in managing crises effectively.

Consequently, state institutions and public administration are increasingly confronted with the need to integrate psychosocial aspects into crisis management. This gives rise to multifaceted demands that require close cooperation between state and civil society actors. However, appropriate frameworks to support effective collaboration—encompassing both acute psychosocial care and medium- to long-term support structures—are currently lacking.

Against this background, the research project EQuiP – Development of Network-Oriented Quality in Psychosocial Crisis Management within Public Administration investigates the operational logics and forms of cooperation between state and civil society actors in the short-, medium-, and long-term management of diverse crisis scenarios. A particular focus is placed on the concept of community resilience—the capacity of communities not only to endure crises but to emerge stronger from them.

The project aims to develop a practice-oriented framework to sustainably improve collaboration in psychosocial crisis management and to strengthen community resilience. Under the leadership of the Alice Salomon University of Applied Sciences Berlin, a blended learning training concept will be developed to disseminate and institutionalize these approaches within crisis management structures, enabling better long-term preparedness for complex crises.

The project is funded under the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) funding directive Civil Security – Ensuring and Improving the Capacity for Action of State and Administration in Crisis Events. The project sponsor is the Association of German Engineers (VDI). The project is carried out in cooperation with the Berlin School of Economics and Law (HWR Berlin) as network coordinator, the Alice Salomon University of Applied Sciences Berlin (ASH), the Frankfurt Public Health Office, and the Berlin Senate Department for the Interior and Sport (SenInnSport) as practice partners. The consortium also includes several national organizations for psychosocial emergency care (PSNV), state fire service academies, the Medical School Hamburg, and the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) as associated partners.

Funding: Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) within the framework of the funding program "Research for Civil Security 2018–2023: Ensuring and Improving the Operational Capability of State and Administration in Crisis Events"

Project Website: www.foeps-projekte.de/en/projects-en/equip-en

Keywords: Psychosocial Support and Emergency Care, Psychosocial Crisis Management, Community Resilience, Collaboration between Civil Society and the State, Training Concept

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