News: Italy with Serbia, Albania and North Macedonia: Initiative for cross-border disaster risk management

The project “Strengthening Cross-Border Disaster Risk Management and Early Warning Systems in the Western Balkans” has been launched, aiming to enhance the region’s resilience to natural disasters and the effects of climate change.

The program, involving Serbia, Albania, and North Macedonia, is funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) with a grant of €4 million and implemented by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) in cooperation with international partners.

The initiative seeks to strengthen early warning systems, improve risk governance, and promote cooperation among the participating countries, integrating national civil protection mechanisms with the European system, in light of the growing frequency of climate-related emergencies.
The project also includes the creation of digital platforms for real-time data, advanced monitoring tools, and the integration of risk-reduction measures into national planning and budgeting processes.

“The project supported by Italy is significant for many reasons: it strengthens bilateral cooperation between Rome and Belgrade in the field of civil protection, promotes regional collaboration, and helps bring Serbia closer to European standards,” said Italy’s Ambassador to Serbia, Luca Gori.