Local stakeholder meeting in Neusiedlersee Region, Austria

The online stakeholder event for the INACO project, which took place on March 20th, provided an invaluable platform to present the project’s goals and strategies to local and regional stakeholders in the Austrian pilot region of Neusiedlersee. While the region is not significantly affected by heavy rainfall and flash floods, its primary concern is the growing threat of droughts and dry spells, which can lead to wildfires. These extreme weather conditions pose significant challenges to the preservation of the region’s cultural and natural heritage. During the event, the focus was on strategies for safeguarding these vital heritage sites and landscapes, with particular emphasis on preparedness measures. Key discussions revolved around future INACO tools and training opportunities that will assist in protecting the region’s cultural and natural assets. The participants also explored the potential for integrating these protection strategies into existing frameworks and regional adaptation plans. The event highlighted the following key deliverables of the project:

• Analysis of EU Water Directive Adoption: Understanding how the EU Water Directive can be adapted to support the protection of cultural and natural heritage sites.
• Adoption of Climate Change Adaptation Plans: Reviewing the integration of climate change adaptation strategies for the protection of cultural and natural heritage.
• Risk Identification and Sensitivity Mapping: Identifying risk-prone areas and pinpointing the most sensitive cultural and natural heritage objects within the region.
• Promoting the Integration of CNH Sites in Climate Adaptation Plans: Designing strategies to ensure that cultural and natural heritage sites are integrated into broader climate change adaptation plans.
• Risk Manager Role for CNH Protection: Conceptualizing the role of a dedicated risk manager to oversee the protection of cultural and natural heritage sites within the Central European river basin districts.

The event concluded with a robust discussion, where participants had the opportunity to engage more deeply with the project, share their insights, and discuss the current matters related to the pilot site. The conversation also revolved around opportunities for further involvement and collaboration with the INACO project in the future. The event saw active participation from representatives of sectoral agencies, national and regional heritage protection organizations, as well as infrastructure and service providers in the region. The collaborative nature of the event set the stage for ongoing dialogue and the development of effective strategies to protect the unique cultural and natural heritage of Neusiedlersee in the face of climate change.