This research as part ofPolder2C’s emphasises non-structural solutions of emergency response, showing how improved maturity of asset owning project partners could increase awareness and hence influence flood risk experts and authorities their risk perception. A maturity analysis and mental modelling approach were applied to answer: ‘What is the (projected) effect of Work Package 2, emergency response, within Polder2C’s on emergency response in the 2 Seas Region?’. Key words: climate change adaptation, maturity analysis, mental modelling, risk perception, awareness, risk and crisis communication, asset owners, flood risk experts and authorities, Polder2C’s, 2 Seas Region. First, assessing maturity has shown strengths, weaknesses, and best practices. Various joint learning objectives were identified as potential to increase maturity and combined in a market place,answering, ‘How could emergency response influence maturity of asset owners involved in Polder2C’s?’. These were: getting to know partners, learning in context of real crisis (exercises), levee surveillance and inspection, scenario thinking and assessing consequences of calamities, use of novel techniques, and finding best practices. While increased maturity can only be determined upon finalisation of Polder2C’s, the maturity analysis has shown increased awareness of partners. Next,researching ‘How could emergency response influence experts their mental models?’has shown improved awareness on maturity and risk perception could influence or complete mental models. Communicators should hence be honest about uncertainties and be aware of biases. In addition to considering perception, risk communication should involve all stakeholders. Further, hazard and outrage influence perception and communicators should hence consider their audience’s mental models. Lastly, it could be argued that increased awareness and maturity of asset owners could influence or complete their mental models and help adapt communication strategies. Accordingly, emergency response in Polder2C’s could help partners to understand how to influence mental models, balancing between alerting and reassuring stakeholders when communicating whether people should stay or go. As a result, continuously assessing and developing awarenessand maturity, even upon finalisation of Polder2C’s, could further complete mental models and improve emergency response to prepare the 2 Seas Region for the emerging trend in climate change.we did a zero measure injune/july 2020 and a second measure in november/december 2023. The differences between the two will be analysed and reported with conclusions