The results of a two-year project financed by European Union were presented in Grude on 22 Februay 2024. The project increased the capacities of 5 civil protection units in the area of West Herzegovina Canton and Herceg Novi in order to protect citizens and the economy as effectively as possible during natural disasters. Through this project, the European Union provided specialized trainings and the purchase of equipment worth 220,000 euros. The equipment includes specialized vehicles and specialized equipment for civil protection units, firefighting and rescue teams.
At the conference, implemented project activities were presented that resulted in the establishment of cross-border cooperation, better equipment of emergency services and strengthening of public awareness of proper behavior in emergency situations. Thanks to the financial support of the European Union, capacities for managing risks from natural and other disasters were strengthened, by equipping protection and rescue teams and conducting training sessions for members of the cross-border team.
Gianluca Vannini, Head of the Operations Section for Social Development, Civil Society and Cross-Border Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina, said: “We are glad to have financed this initiative of the civil protection services of the Western Herzegovina Canton and Herceg Novi in their cross-border initiative to increase resilience to natural disasters and man-made disasters. We hope that the training center in Grude and the fire truck in Herceg Novi, with other equipment and trainings provided within the framework of this project, will help to protect citizens and the economy and solve natural hazards. I am happy that today we are witnessing the concrete results of our support and I can only confirm that our support will continue.”
Before the begining of the presentation, a joint cross-border exercise was held at the training ground for protection and rescue services in Grude with the aim of demonstrating the capacity of the services for prevention, preparation and response to disasters. The training ground where the exercise took place was built and equipped through this project and will be a training place for all persons involved in the protection and rescue system who wish to do so.
Radoslav Luburić, director of the PI Development agency of WHC HERAG, stated that they are extremely satisfied with the successful implementation of the Resilient Border project, and that he believes that thanks to the European Union, which recognized and financed it, the project achieved its goals. “In the past two years of project implementation, we have established a joint cross-border partnership with the aim of better disaster management, we have strengthened and upgraded the capacities of competent services in the protection and rescue sector, and through promotional and educational campaigns, we have raised public awareness of measures and proper behavior in the case of natural and other accidents. This was the first project in this field in which the PI Development Agency of WHC HERAG participated, but we are sure that there will be more in the coming period, hopefully with the same partners,” Luburić said.
In the past period, the project teams together with the Services from the civil protection system of Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina worked dedicatedly on the project. Their cooperation is an example of how joint efforts can bring real changes at the local and regional level. In addition, the project strengthened our international cooperation, creating bridges between communities.
“It is a pleasure to be here today and present the results of our project “Resilient Border”. This project represents a key initiative that will significantly improve our ability to face the challenges of disasters and ensure a faster, more successful and coordinated response in emergency situations. Through the financial support of the European Union, we acquired valuable equipment, strengthened the capacities of emergency services, created a Disaster Risk Assessment and raised the awareness of the local population about prevention and response measures in case of disasters. This project is not only an investment in the safety of our community, but also in building a more resilient society that is ready to face the challenges of the future. In this period, the project teams together with the services from the civil protection system of Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina worked dedicatedly on the project. Their cooperation is an example of how joint efforts can bring real changes at the local and regional level. In addition, the project strengthened our international cooperation, creating bridges between communities. These connections will remain permanent, which will ensure continuous cooperation and exchange of information between our local communities.”, said Mirko Mustur deputy president of Municipality of Herceg Novi.
Project “Increasing Capacities to Prevent, Prepare and Respond to Disasters – Resilient Border”, financed by the European Union within the cross-border programme Bosnia and Herzegovina – Montenegro (IPA II). The total value of the project is over 586.000 EUR, out of which the European Union provided over 500.000 EUR of grant funds. The remaining amount is co-financed by the project partners, Development Agency of the West Herzegovina Canton – HERAG (BiH), Civil Protection Administration of West-Herzegovina Canton (BiH) and Herceg Novi municipality (Montenegro). Implementation has started in March 2022 and will last 24 months.
