Nature based solutions for prevention and mitigation of natural disasters in the cross border area

The main objective of the project (Ob1) is to implement a series of actions that will offer nature-based solutions for the prevention of natural disasters (wildfires and floods) in the cross border area and will mitigate their consequences when they take place. This double objective form two distinct axes/sub-objectives acting as two parallel layers; (1) Prevention of natural disasters in the cross border area and (2) Regeneration of the cross border ecosystem after forest fires for flood prevention.

In the 1st layer, new technologies will be used to record/study the natural behaviour of the cross border area in order targeted measures for prevention to be proposed with the minimum environmental footprint. Taking into account their impact in human population, Thessaloniki, Pella and JASEN were selected as study areas.
The 2nd layer is a network of activities that acknowledges the connection between fires and floods and focuses on the quick regeneration of the natural environment of the cross border area after fires; this way, floods caused by damaged ecosystems will be prevented.

Other objectives are:
• Ob2; To promote interventions with nature-based character as a environmental friendly way of acting for the public benefit
• Ob3; To support the civil protection authorities in the development of their civil protection plans
• Ob4; To apply innovative high-edge technology in the field of civil protection in the cross border area
• Ob5; To protect the natural ecosystem of the cross border area by offering new knowledge for its flora species
• Ob6; To improve the awareness of the local population in measures of civil protection
• Ob7; To promote the cross border approach as a solution for the challenges of the natural disasters
 
The 2 layers of the main objective of the project (Ob1) are: (1) Prevention of natural disasters in the cross border area and (2) Regeneration of the cross border ecosystem after forest fires for flood prevention. Each layer is supported with the following outputs:

1.1 Analysis and assessments of risks for fires & floods with new technologies in the cross border area -Thessaloniki, Pella & JASEN (Ob2, Ob3, Ob4, Ob7)
1.2 Development/operation of a GIS platform (Ob2, Ob3, Ob4);
1.3 Identification of specific measures for prevention of wildfires and floods in the cross border area -Thessaloniki, Pella & JASEN (Ob2, Ob3, Ob4, Ob7);
1.4 Guidelines Book for the Greek state/local authorities on the development of the Civil Protection Plans based on new technologies (Ob3)
1.5 Equipment for the immediate development of nature-based protection measures in the territory of JASEN (Ob2)
1.6 Events for 40 representatives of civil protection authorities & 20 potential volunteers (Ob2, Ob6, Ob7).
2.1 Assessment of plants for the immediate regeneration of the cross border ecosystem after forest fires (Ob2, Ob5, Ob7).
2.2 Development of a post-fire protocol for the forest rehabilitation and floods' mitigation in the cross border area (Ob2, Ob3, Ob7)
2.3 Organization of info days for 40 students (Ob6, Ob7).

The outputs respond to the objectives of the project and refer to all target groups safeguarding the project's impact in the cross border area.
Additionally, they also safeguard the achievement of the output indicators (min. 200.000 people benefiting from flood protection measures, min. 270.00 people benefiting from forest fire protection measures and min. 100 people participating in prevention actions).