Rethinking societal resilience in a time of polycrisis

Tackling interconnected crises through a systemic approach

As the EU faces an increasingly complex landscape of interconnected crises (a ‘polycrisis’), it is essential to develop a deeper understanding of the dynamics at play and the strategies required to increase preparedness and build societal resilience. 

Addressing a polycrisis requires a paradigm shift in both policy and research initiatives: a systems-oriented mindset is needed, one that acknowledges the interconnected and amplifying effects of multiple crises. This shift in perspective is essential for developing effective strategies to mitigate the impact of polycrises and strengthen societal resilience, and better anticipate and respond to multiple crises affecting the EU.

Identifying strategic positions to support effective policies

A useful concept in the context of polycrises is the idea of high-leverage intervention points. These are strategic positions within interconnected systems where targeted policy changes can produce significant effects across multiple outcomes and levels. Identifying and targeting these points can support policies that aim to drive systemic change and build societal resilience

Engagement and participation are key to building societal resilience

Building societal resilience at multiple levels is also fundamental to addressing a polycrisis. This requires engaging communities, addressing perceptions of insecurity, and responding to citizens' expectations. Active citizenship and participatory governance can contribute to resilience by fostering trust, enhancing social cohesion, and enabling rapid, context-sensitive responses. 

Furthermore, initiatives involving systems modelling and network analysis can enable policymakers to better anticipate how different crises may interact and design responses and preparedness measures that strengthen feedback mechanisms for societal resilience.

Background: the science for policy brief

The science for policy brief Rethinking societal resilience in a time of polycrisis presents key insights from a scoping review conducted as part of a JRC research project on societal resilience in a time of polycrisis, with a focus on emerging security challenges in the EU context. It highlights the importance of continued research and policy development in this area, with the aim of informing proactive and adaptive strategies to address the challenges posed by polycrises.