Recent global disasters underscore the complexities faced in managing floods and forest fires, particularly in border regions. Economic, social, political, and cultural differences pose barriers in establishing joint strategies and policies for climate change adaptation, societal resilience, and emergency management. These challenges have resulted in an identified deficit in leveraging research and project outputs to fortify civil protection systems, hindering the adoption of technological advancements by fire brigades, forestry, and civil protection services.

WHAT

In December 2021, Greece and the Republic of North Macedonia came together to strengthen their civil protection services and emergency management by initiating the "Cross Border Complex Floods And Forest Fires Prevention And Management" project with the acronym SOLVE. This project is a testament to how borders can benefit rather than limit neighboring nations, especially in times of crisis and emergency. 

The project’s objective is to minimize risks from forest fires and floods in the long term, transforming cross-border regions from vulnerability to resilience. By implementing joint actions, conducting large-scale exercises, and emphasizing immediate results utilization, SOLVE sets a good practice example for effective disaster risk reduction that emphasizes cross-border cooperation.

The two nations identified that there were no standard operation procedures between border regions for preventing or treating emergencies such as fires and floods. 

SOLVE revolves around the following cross-border collaborative actions: 

• Capacity Building: Enhancing operational teams through modern equipment and joint training, empowering them as first responders.
• Knowledge Utilization: Providing scientific support and innovative tools for informed decision-making in operational scenarios.
• Results Integration: Capitalizing on outcomes, integrating them into policies and operations. 
• Citizen Participation: Engaging citizens through participatory platforms and focused actions in prevention activities.

WHO

The project’s lead partner is the Decentralised Administration of Epirus and West Macedonia based in Ioannina, Greece, the Center for Development of Pelagonia Region St. Kliment Ohridski University-Bitola, and the University of Western Macedonia.

WHERE

SOLVE concentrates efforts in the border regions of Florina in Greece & Pelagonia in North Macedonia, both susceptible to devastating floods—flash and urban—and forest fires, including those at the Wild Urban Interface.

HOW

The project’s total budget is 1.288.297,00€, co-financed by 85% through the Interreg 2014 - 2020 Interreg IPA CBC Greece - Republic of North Macedonia Programme.

RESULTS

SOLVE's results and expected outcomes are as follows:

Enhanced Capacity: Equipping operational teams of both countries with modern tools and knowledge for effective response.

Policy Integration: Integration of results into policies, ensuring sustained and effective disaster management.

Replicability: Establishing a model that can be replicated in other cross-border areas, promoting cooperation and resilience.