The EU Policy Lab has launched a new tool to help organizations explore the effects of polycrisis through a workshop.
The Polycrisis Exploration Workshop Tool is based on the insights of the EU Policy Lab’s Risks on the Horizon report.
Unlike traditional risk assessments, which often focus on assessing isolated threats one by one, the Polycrisis Exploration Workshop Tool uses participatory methods to explore risk interconnections. It is grounded in the Manoa methodology developed by Wendy Schultz and involves exploring ‘multiple futures wheels’, each starting with a weak signal to examine how interconnected risks might simultaneously materialise.
A standout feature of the Polycrisis Exploration Workshop tool is its adaptability. Drawing on the 40 risks identified by the Risks on the Horizon foresight study, the tool is designed to be flexible, allowing facilitators to tailor it to the specific goals of participants. The workshop can be shortened or extended, depending on the available time.
There is also the possibility to introduce ‘new’ risks – unexpected challenges which may be missing from the set of risk cards provided.
The EU Policy Lab encourages policymakers, organizations, and businesses to use it as the first step towards deeper analysis and long-term planning, resulting in strategic decision-making and better preparedness.
The freely available tool includes the following components:
- Facilitators’ guide
- Preparatory reading
- 40 Risk cards
- Potential future development list
- Poster activity 1 / evaluation of selected risks
- Poster activity 2 / Future polycrisis map
- Poster activity 3 / Policy interventions
- Reporting template
