3.1 Joint Risk Management

The project aims at the joint implementation of intelligent policies for management, monitoring and protection of the environment in the cross-border region of the municipalities of Targovishte and Kostinbrod. Its implementation will bring benefits to over 22,000 people living on both sides of the border. With the implementation of the planned trainings, creation of a common platform for the exchange of data and the purchase of specialized equipment set out in the project, the project aims at achieving a quicker and more effective response in the event of an emergency. With the exchange of good practices and the adoption of European standards, the project aims at strengthening environmental policies, leading to sustainability in the protection of the environment.

Planned activities:

1. Conducting of a joint research, studies and analyzes on the environmental policies in the cross-border area of the Trgovište and Kostinbrod municipalties;
2. Development of common action plans and on-line platform for data sharing for environmental management and protection and monitoring, protection against disasters, incl. prevention and predictions;
3. Purchase of equipment for environmental management and monitoring and for disaster protection in Trgovište;
4. Purchase of equipment for environmental management and monitoring and for disaster protection in Kostinbrod;
5. Joint training for Emergency Management and Response and creating a cross-border network of volunteers.

Expected outcomes:

1. Analyzed policies in the field of management, monitoring and prevention of the environment;
2. Action measures and methods of cooperation identified between people, institutions and the community as a whole to address common challenges in managing and preserving the environment in the cross-border area;
3. Increased awareness of the need for common action to protect the environment and natural resources in the region;
4. Joint organization for action in the event of disasters, accidents and catastrophic and assessment of the situation;
5. Identified measures for reducing of risks of disasters, accidents and catastrophic events in the targeted cross-border region;
6. Established a single cross-border on-line data exchange platform;
7. Improved coordination between partners in case of emergence or danger of occurrence of disaster situations and accidents;
8. Provided up-to-date information in case of different disaster situations;
9. Conducted 6 trainings covering all target groups and stakeholders of project;
10. Established CB network of volunteers and their training for action in disasters and crises;
11. Increased knowledge of the population for management and response in case of disasters and crises;
12. Provision of technical equipment for prevention and reactions in cases of blemish, crisis and disaster.          

Target groups of the project are the inhabitants of the two municipalities; institutions engaged in environmental management and conservation in both municipalities; local authorities forming policies for prevention and management of crises, disasters and catastrophes.

Project goal: To utilize the untapped local potential in MoK and MoB for better use of volunteers in joint cross-border forest fire risk management by eradicating existing practical and knowledge-based barriers for CB forest fire prevention and inter-vention actions. The specific objectives are to: 1. Balance the number of well prepared and equipped volunteers and administrative staff, 2. Upgrade available emergency detection and response equipment, ensuring CB compatibility and 3. Introduce pilot tested joint mechanisms for coordinated interventions of volunteers.

The project envisages: Removal of most existing barriers for effective cross-border cooperation in forest fire risk management and increases the safety of the population and the natural resources in the CB area. The project reduces the cross-border discrepancies in terms of number of volunteers, quality of schooling, use of geo- systems, level of public awareness and available technology to intervene in case of forest fire disasters. As a direct output, MoK will double its existing force of volunteers, MoB and MoK will obtain modern mobile equipment which boost the CB impact and the tactical flexibility in emergency situations. A joint action plan will be pilot tested in a joint drill after a series of two-day theoretical trainings in each municipality. 200 Students will learn how to protect the forests from fires and over 40 institutional representatives will be learn how to replicate the success of the project across the entire Programme area.