The Challenge of Engagement in Citizen Observatories for Flood Risk Management: An In-Depth Qualitative Study of Two Municipalities in the Province of Padua

As climate change intensifies, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and severe, highlighting the urgent need for innovative and participatory approaches to flood risk management. Citizen observatories (COs) have emerged as promising models for fostering community engagement and preparedness in risk governance, yet their success depends on sustained and meaningful citizen participation. This paper presents an in-depth, psychosocially-informed qualitative study of two mu-nicipalities in the Brenta-Bacchiglione catchment, both exposed to a significant hydraulic risk and participating in a pioneering CO for flood risk management. The research employed a qualitative methodology that combined interviews, participa-tory observation, and document analysis. A thematic analysis of 30 semi-structured interviews was conducted to explore the psychosocial factors that facilitate or hin-der civic involvement in flood prevention initiatives. Key barriers to participation identified included risk denial, resistance to change, and strained relations between citizens and institutional actors. Leveraging factors comprised learning by doing activities, leveraging historical flood memory, and fostering broad environmental awareness. The findings showed that social psychological insights are critical in addressing risk denial, navigating community dynamics, and promoting a culture of prevention and shared responsibility. The paper concludes with practical rec-ommendations for project managers and local authorities to design more robust, inclusive, and socially grounded participatory models for climate adaptation and resilience.