As part of ongoing efforts to connect European projects and strengthen cross-border cooperation, a joint event was organized to highlight the synergies between the CROSS ALERT and WILDFIRE CE projects. The event, which presented the final results of the CROSS ALERT project under the Interreg Italy–Slovenia Programme, brought together stakeholders from Italy, Slovenia, and the wider Central European region. It emphasized the growing importance of interregional collaboration and showcased how individual projects are increasingly evolving into broader, interconnected partnerships addressing shared environmental challenges.
The event focused on joint efforts in wildfire prevention and management. CROSS ALERT concentrated on developing joint action plans and tools to mitigate the impacts of climate change and extreme events. Over its two-year implementation, the project significantly strengthened cross-border cooperation and established a strong link with the WILDFIRE CE project. Particular emphasis was therefore placed on the collaboration between the two projects, which has been developing since the early stages through joint activities and international workshops.
A key highlight of the event was the presentation of the WILDFIRE CE platform, an innovative tool designed to improve wildfire prevention and management across Central Europe. The platform was presented by Christopher Marrs from the Technical University of Dresden and Jakub Dvořák from CzechGlobe. This was followed by presentations of the local context and project results, including contributions from key speakers such as Jaša Seražin from the Slovenian Forestry Institute and Francesco Pirotti from the University of Padova, who shared their experiences and insights on project implementation and the importance of cooperation. The event also featured interactive workshops and discussions, where participants exchanged experiences and took part in Q&A sessions within separate national breakout rooms via a shared Zoom link, further strengthening cooperation across different governance levels and supporting the development of more effective future solutions.
The event once again confirmed that projects such as CROSS ALERT and WILDFIRE CE play a crucial role in developing integrated and sustainable approaches to natural disaster management. By connecting regions and experts, they contribute to a more coordinated, efficient, and innovative response to future challenges.