The course is organized in 11  lessons integrating specialized thematic addenda tailored to disaster risk reduction concepts and strategies in urban contexts. The objective of the modular structure is to provide a flexible learning path to develop foundational knowledge on disaster resilience building in local contexts and options and apply local disaster risk reduction strategies to disaster risks impacting urban and rural contexts. 6 out of the 11 lessons are mandatory to receive a Certificate of Completion and 5 out of the 11 lessons are optional. 

Supplementary resources including publications and excel tools allowing participants to access additional materials and information as needed.  

Lessons covered in this course include:

1.Lesson 1: Disaster Risk Reduction: Key Concepts, Global Agendas and Emerging Trends

This lesson introduces the core concepts, principles, and drivers of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), including global frameworks, emerging trends, and the interconnections between DRR, climate resilience, sustainable development, human security, disaster displacement, and human mobility. It provides learners with a foundation for understanding the role of DRR in building safer and more resilient communities.

2. Lesson 2: Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR2030): The Ten Essentials, Key Tools and Risk Data Management

This lesson explores the MCR2030 initiative, the 10 Essentials for Making Cities Resilient, and approaches to strengthening urban resilience. It introduces key tools, services, peer-learning opportunities, and data management practices that support effective risk-informed local planning and resilience-building efforts.

3.Lesson 3: Assessing Urban Resilience: Disaster Resilience Scorecard and Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems

This lesson focuses on the Disaster Resilience Scorecard for Cities and its application in assessing urban resilience. It guides learners through assessment approaches, localized implementation strategies, and the integration of Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems with resilience priorities, including inclusive approaches for gender equality and persons with disabilities.

4.Lesson 4: People-Centred Disaster Risk Reduction: Accessibility, Equality and Displacement

This lesson examines inclusion-focused approaches within DRR through the Gender Equality and Intersectionality Addendum, the Annex for Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities, and the Disaster Displacement Addendum. It supports learners in identifying barriers, assessing resilience gaps, and developing inclusive preparedness, response, and recovery strategies.

5.Lesson 5: Building Climate Resilience and Managing Extreme Heat at the Local Level

This lesson explores climate resilience approaches and extreme heat risk management by examining the relationship between climate change adaptation and DRR. It provides guidance on understanding heat risks, assessing climate adaptation measures, evaluating heat action plans, and identifying local-level risk reduction actions.

6.Lesson 6: Strengthening Coastal Resilience: Risk Governance, Readiness and Local Action

This lesson introduces the principles of coastal resilience and the ARISE Coastal Resilience Scorecard as a tool for evaluating coastal disaster preparedness. It supports learners in assessing coastal risks, understanding prevention, response, and recovery approaches, and identifying opportunities to strengthen coastal resilience.

7.Lesson 7: Culture, Education and Resilience: Safeguarding Heritage and Learning Systems from Disaster Risk

This lesson explores the role of cultural heritage and education systems in disaster risk reduction. It examines approaches to protecting cultural assets, strengthening cultural heritage resilience, and enhancing institutional capacity to safeguard education systems and personnel during extreme weather events.

8.Lesson 8: Designing and Facilitating MCR2030 Workshops: Methods, Components and Practical Application

This lesson develops practical skills for designing and facilitating MCR2030 workshops, covering workshop components, methodologies, facilitation techniques, and application approaches. It enables learners to support inclusive stakeholder engagement, participatory resilience assessments, collaborative decision-making, and local action planning.

9.Lesson 9: From Assessment to Action: Local DRR Plans, SMART Indicators and Monitoring Systems

This lesson focuses on the development of effective Local Action Plans by linking resilience assessments, governance frameworks, strategic objectives, and measurable actions. It introduces the use of traceability matrices to connect identified risks and gaps with activities, indicators, outcomes, implementation mechanisms, and continuous improvement processes.

10.Lesson 10: Financing Local Disaster Risk Reduction: Budget Tagging, Resilient Infrastructure and Investment Pathways

This lesson explores approaches to mobilizing and managing resources for resilience through budget tagging, infrastructure resilience strategies, and investment pathways. It supports learners in identifying financing gaps, tracking resilience expenditures, strengthening essential services, and developing practical investment approaches for DRR and climate adaptation.

11.Lesson 11: Knowledge Exchange and Peer Learning: Leveraging Resilience Hubs for Local Action
This lesson examines the role of MCR2030 Resilience Hubs in accelerating urban resilience through knowledge exchange, technical assistance, and peer-to-peer learning. The lesson highlights experience-sharing to demonstrate how Resilience Hubs support cities through practical implementation examples, collaborative learning mechanisms, and pathways for engagement as resilience partners.