Objective We propose to establish an international and multidisciplinary Working Group on Natural Hazards in the Tien Shan Mountains of Central Asia. This initiative follows the recognised need for efficiently linking natural hazards research, integral risk management, and environmental protection via cooperative support activities between European, Russia, and NIS experts. In a "First Stage", we focus on hazards from slope instability. We thereby aim to contribute to sustainable development during the current transition phase in the NIS. Our key objective is to jointly identify, rank, and illustrate high-priority research needs on slope instability, and ensuing risks to the region's population, infrastructure, and environment.A comprehensive review and critical evaluation of existing information will be collated in a regional-scale "Hot Spots & Crucial Gaps" map and catalogue. This activity will actively contribute to disseminating previously unavailable research results between European and Russian/NIS researchers. We further intend to develop from these data project sketches, recommendations, and feasibility assessments for use in future collaborative research activities and joint RTD proposals. Together with the identified "Hot Spots & Crucial Gaps", the se project sketches will also be valuable tools for strategically coordinating RTD activities, optimally targeting and allocating of funds and resources, monitoring scientific progress, and augmenting geospatial data on natural hazards in the region. Regional "supply and demand" will be summarised in a project portfolio on former, present, and planned hazard- and risk-related projects in the Tien Shan.Finally, we will host coordinated and cost-efficient activities to strengthen awareness, skills, and capacity building and knowledge dissemination on slope-instability hazards for European, Russian, and NIS young researchers and students, in an International Field Workshop, Summer School, and a NATASHA Exhibition. Programme(s) FP6-INCO - Specific measures in support of international cooperation: Specific activities covering wider field of research under the Focusing and Integrating Community Research programme 2002-2006. Topic(s) INCO-D - Russia and the other New Independent States Call for proposal FP6-2002-INCO-RUSSIA+NIS/SSA-4 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme SSA - Specific Support Action Coordinator EIDG. FORSCHUNGSANSTALT WSL EU contribution No data Address Zuercherstrasse 111 BIRMENSDORF Switzerland See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Participants (6) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all INSTITUTE OF GEOSPHERES DYNAMICS OF RUSSIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES Russia EU contribution No data Address Leninskyi Avenue, 38, Building 1 MOSCOW See on map Total cost No data NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCE, KYRGYZ REPUBLIC Kyrgyzstan EU contribution No data Address Asanbai 52/1 BISHKEK See on map Total cost No data STADTMUSEUM GMUNDEN (MUSEUM OF GMUNDEN) Austria EU contribution No data Address Kammerhofgasse 8 GMUNDEN See on map Total cost No data SCIENTIFIC ENGINEERING CENTER "GEOPRIBOR", NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF KYRGYZ REPUBLIC Kyrgyzstan EU contribution No data Address Mederova Str, 98 BISHKEK See on map Total cost No data EIDGENÖSSISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE ZÜRICH Switzerland EU contribution No data Address Rämistrassse 101 ZÜRICH See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI MILANO BICOCCA Italy EU contribution No data Address Piazza dell'Ateneo Nuovo 1 MILANO See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data