Policy objective: PO 2 - A greener, low-carbon transitioning towards a net zero carbon economy and resilient Europe by promoting clean and fair energy transition, green and blue investment, the circular economy, climate change mitigation and adaptation and risk prevention and management

Specific objective: SO 4 - Promoting climate change adaptation and disaster risk prevention, resilience, taking into account eco-system based approaches

Typology: Standard project

Short description of the project: The KARST ADAPT project addresses the common challenge of climate change adaptation through more intensive and deeper cross-border cooperation, better equipped, more coordinated response to natural disasters (fire, flood, hail) and implementation of preventive measures in the cross-border programme area. The vulnerability of the Karst region and the need to improve cooperation, equipment and implementation of preventive measures as soon as possible was demonstrated in all its magnitude last summer when the area was hit by a very large forest fire which, in addition to causing considerable damage, also threatened settlements and inhabitants. The innovation of the project is manifested in four main directions. Firstly, through the intensive use of a bottom-up approach and inclusive participatory work. Second, by introducing new, innovative approaches in the design and implementation of public investments to make buildings more resilient to fires, floods and hail. Third, by creating the first cross-border protocol for animal evacuation in the event of natural disasters. And fourthly, by piloting the improvement of the municipality's communication with citizens, organisations both in the municipality and in the wider cross-border area. The main direct impact of the project will be the improvement of cooperation in the wider Karst area, improved knowledge of preventive measures, the way public buildings are designed, improved capacity and networking of organisations working in the field of protection and rescue, better equipped for preventive measures and intervention. The project has resulted in the creation of a strategic and operational plan for the establishment of a cross-border "cooperation forum", which in the long term will improve cooperation at inter-institutional level in the wider cross-border area of the Karst, which is also not at the necessary level due to the national border. The approach to tackling common challenges is inclusive and cross-border, and always focused on the end beneficiary, which will improve capacity and preparedness to respond collectively to the challenges of climate change. Cross-border cooperation is essential as climate change and related natural disasters know no borders and the consequences of such events affect populations in a wider cross-border area, transcending local, regional and national contexts.