Eucentre is a non-profit private law foundation whose mission is to conduct research and provide training and services in earthquake and safety engineering 
Eucentre promotes science, research and innovation for the benefit of the community, offering targeted methodologies and concrete solutions for prevention, safety and resilience. It collaborates with institutions and companies to disseminate competencies for the common good.
Eucentre conducts earthquake engineering research and risk reduction studies via laboratory testing and numerical analysis to enhance seismic performance and develop innovative solutions 
Eucentre carries out research activities in earthquake engineering and risk reduction through laboratory testing and numerical analysis, aiming to improve the seismic performance of structures and soils and to develop innovative seismic retrofitting techniques.
The Foundation promotes diverse and high-quality training activities aimed at academic and professional contexts, with constantly updated and innovative programs and initiatives designed to meet the evolving needs of the sector and society 
Eucentre ensures communication aimed at informing institutions, professionals, and citizens about ongoing activities and projects, with the goal of disseminating useful and accessible content and knowledge. It contributes to promoting a shared and informed culture of prevention and resilience.
The “Civil Protection Pathways” event, a themed village set up in Rome’s Piazza di Siena at Villa Borghese as part of the eighth National Civil Protection Week, closed on Sunday 18 October. The Eucentre Foundation took part as a centre of expertise, with a stand and its own delegation. This article looks back at the event, what was done, and what took place during the days open to the public.
What is National Civil Protection Week?
Organised by the Department of Civil Protection, National Civil Protection Week took place from 12 to 18 October 2026. Now in its eighth year, it featured seven days of initiatives to raise awareness of the National Civil Protection Service and promote a culture of prevention. The village was one of the week’s key venues. From Thursday 15 to Sunday 18 October, from 9 am to 5 pm, members of the public, families, and schools could take part in demonstrations, practical exercises, and talks, gaining first-hand insight into the various organisations that make up the National Civil Protection Service.
The opening ceremony with the President of the Italian Republic
The President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, officially opened the village on Thursday 15 October. During his visit, the Head of State, accompanied by the Head of the Department of Civil Protection, Fabio Ciciliano, and Italy’s Minister for Civil Protection and the Sea, Nello Musumeci, met with representatives from civil protection voluntary organisations, regional civil protection bodies, technical and scientific centres of expertise, and the Department of Civil Protection. The President also stopped at the Eucentre Foundation stand, where the Foundation’s President, Rui Pinho, the General Director, Fabio Germagnoli, and a team of Eucentre researchers (Alessandro Armanetti, Chiara Boselli, Chiara Casarotti, Giulia Fagà and Martina Mandirola) welcomed him.
Eucentre’s contribution to “Percorsi di protezione civile”
The stand
At the stand, visitors were able to view the travelling exhibition “Earthquakes and Structures: How to Mitigate the Effects of an Earthquake”, organised by Eucentre with the support of the Department of Civil Protection, a portable shake table used to demonstrate the phenomenon of soil liquefaction, and a section dedicated to the UAS-CdC Network of Centres of Excellence.
Presentations on 16 October
On Friday 16 October, Eucentre delivered two presentations as part of the programme “Understanding risks, building prevention. Technologies, monitoring and innovation: the activities of the Centres of Excellence”. At 1.30 pm, in Lecture Theatre B, Eng. Chiara Casarotti presented session G1, “The evolution of landslide monitoring methodologies: from on-site inspections to the use of drones”, alongside Tommaso Carlà (UNIFI), Umberto Morra di Cella (CIMA) and Danilo Godone (CNR GEO). At 14:50, in Room A, Giulia Fagà led session E.3, “Rapid and safe post-event response: from L’Aquila to Arquata del Tronto”, dedicated to the CASE, DESIGNA and SADA projects and concluding with the reconstruction project for Arquata del Tronto.
A system that works thanks to collaboration
The village enabled the public to learn about the organisations that work daily to manage risks: institutions, voluntary organisations, law enforcement, and medical and technical emergency services. The civil protection system relies on collaboration among many stakeholders, each with its own role and expertise. Seeing them work side by side helps us understand how a region’s safety is built and what every citizen can contribute, starting with understanding the risks and adopting the right behaviours.
The value of relationships built outside of emergencies
The event was also beneficial for those who form part of the system. Meeting in person outside of an emergency, exchanging experiences and sharing moments of work and camaraderie strengthens mutual trust and team spirit, elements that become crucial when action is required. The relationships forged today form the basis for a more effective response tomorrow.
The Eucentre Foundation thanks the participants, the organisations involved, and everyone who made these events possible. Civil protection is a shared responsibility, and an informed and united community is a safer community.
