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SA EWRECA
SA EWRECA, "Enabling Wildfire Risk Reduction and Environmental Conservation in the Adriatic Coast" , is a project funded by the Interreg South Adriatic Programme 2021-2027, which aims to strengthen resilience to wildfire risks through a strategy that includes risk analysis, emergency planning, knowledge-sharing and cross-border cooperation. This approach reduces the risks associated with climate change, promotes long-term environmental conservation and fosters a culture of prevention and preparedness.
The project will develop valuable tools such as improved early warning system, wildfire risk communication strategy, and improved early warning systems. It will aim to foster a coordinated wildfire risk management system across the South Adriatic area, benefiting all participating countries, local and regional authorities, environmental and organisations engaged in civil protection activities and local population. By facilitating collaboration across borders, EWRECA will harmonise prevention, preparedness, and response efforts. This includes sharing of best practices and joint training initiatives, fostering regional solidarity and shared responsibility among neighbouring countries.
OBJECTIVES
- Strengthen resilience to the risks of forest fires through a strategy that includes risk analysis, contingency planning, knowledge-sharing and cross-border cooperation;
- Implement advanced mapping of wildfire risks and improve early warning systems;
- Develop an integrated approach to mitigate the impact of wildfires on the ecosystem and the local economy;
- Promote a culture of prevention and preparedness, and strengthen sustainability and resilience in the face of climate change.
MAIN ACTIVITIES
The work plan is divided into three closely interlinked work packages:
- WP1 - Risk analysis and mapping: Conducting a comprehensive analysis of the risk of forest fires, drawing on existing data, previous projects, new data collected via drones (UAVs) and advanced risk assessment models .
- WP2 - Emergency Planning and Early Warning System Testing: Strengthen emergency planning and raise awareness of the risks of wildfires. Pilot areas will be used to test emergency planning, early-warning systems, land-management practices and fire-prevention strategies, with a view to establishing sustainable prevention measures.
- WP3 - Awareness Raising and Capacity Building: Promote cross-border cooperation and knowledge sharing to standardize best practices in wildfire prevention and management. By building capacity and disseminating these practices, the region will improve its response to climate-related risks.
EXPECTED RESULTS
- Development and adoption of an integrated emergency planning and early warning system for managing the risk of forest fires;
- Implementation of advanced forest fire propagation tools and models to develop risk management guidelines;
- Updating of forest fire management plans;
- Drafting of standardised operating procedures for the effective communication of risks and findings arising from risk analysis and mapping activities;
- Development and strengthening of capacities to mitigate the impacts of forest fires and to build resilience to climate-related risks;
- Consolidation of institutional cooperation between Italy, Albania and Montenegro through shared tools and practices;
- Promotion of a culture of prevention and preparedness, sustainability and resilience to climate change.
ROLE OF THE MOLISE REGION
The Molise Region contributes to the EWRECA project both by helping to draw up standard operating procedures and by devising a climate change mitigation strategy. It will also organise an international training session on the use of drones for analysing and assessing interface risk in the context of forest fire risk and events to disseminate the project's results.
PROJECT PARTNERS
- Puglia Region - Civil Protection Section (Lead partner) (Italy)
- Molise Region (Italy)
- CIMA Foundation (Italy)
- National Civil Protection Agency (Albania)
- FORS Montenegro - Foundation for the Development of Northern Montenegro (Montenegro
