Welcome to Project:

Matara Living Lab

MOBILISE 3.0:

Digital Toolset for Building Resilient Communities
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Early Warning System:

Changing peoples lives
Matara Living Lab

Challenges

Data-driven Decision Support
Multi-Agency Collaboration
Resilience and Adaptation
Community Engagement
Impact-based Early Warnings
Technological Accessibility
Language and Cultural Sensitivity
Real-time Data Integration
Infrastructure Resilience
Education and Awareness
Evolving Climate Patterns
Public Trust and Confidence

We are on a mission to revolutionize how critical climate and disaster risk data is shared and utilized. Our initiative, funded by the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), focuses on two essential components: an Early Warning Dissemination System and a comprehensive Data Platform for Matara District.

    Our project addresses the following challenges:
  • Lack of a shared data platform for local decision-makers and the public.
  • Absence of data-driven Decision Support Systems at the local level.
  • Enhanced forecasting of climate hazards and their local impacts.
  • Bridging the last-mile gap for communication and early warning dissemination in low-resource settings.
  • Leveraging citizen science and crowdsourcing for a community-based early warning system.

Early Warning Dissemination System

Envision a seamless transmission of crucial alerts reaching the public effectively. The Early Warning Dissemination System acts as a vital bridge between government agencies and the public, simplifying the process. Governance gains the ability to choose precise warning levels and target specific public groups, ultimately strengthening preparedness and ensuring timely, pertinent warnings reach the individuals in need.

Data Platform: Building Resilience Together

Through collaboration with key stakeholders, the challenges within the current data landscape have become apparent. Essential climate and risk data are dispersed among multiple agencies, impeding comprehensive analysis and informed decision-making. The Data Platform we've developed addresses this fragmentation by centralizing critical intelligence. It equips local decision-makers and the community with the necessary tools to fortify resilience against the impacts of climate change. By fostering a collaborative environment, we facilitate data-driven decision-making and encourage active participation, ultimately enhancing local resilience.

Expected Impacts

  • Data-Driven Decision Making: Transformation of Decision Making: Shifting decision-making practices towards a data-driven collaboration approach, revolutionizing how local resilience is built and early warnings are issued through the utilization of the comprehensive Data Platform.
  • Community Involvement: Empowered Communities: Establishing local communities as vital stakeholders and active participants in the process of building resilience, utilizing insights and data provided by the Data Platform, and contributing to the efficiency of early warning systems.
  • Efficient Early Warning Systems: Implementation of a highly efficient and effective Early Warning System, integrating insights and data from the Data Platform and utilizing both digital and non-digital means to ensure timely and relevant alerts for the community.

Pilot Area

Nestled along the southern coast of Sri Lanka, the Matara district stands as a critical focal point for our resilience initiatives. Encompassing an extensive land area of 1282.5 Km2 and home to a substantial population of 873000. With a rich tapestry of history, culture, and natural beauty, Matara is not only a captivating location but also a region susceptible to a myriad of disasters throughout the year, as evidenced by historical data.

Project Partners

  • THINKlab - University of Salford, UK
  • International Water Management Institute, Sri Lanka
  • TECXAL Systems Ltd, Sri Lanka

Living Lab User Partners


  • Matara District Secretariat and local partners
  • Disaster Management Centre
  • Local Community group representatives.

Get in Touch with Us

Send your query!

 thinklab@salford.ac.uk

 mobilise-project.org.uk/platform/
MOBILISE platform

Training Videos

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