Three days, different regions, diverse areas of expertise coming together, and a common goal: to share experiences, strengthen relationships, and create new opportunities for cooperation in fire risk prevention and management.
From September 9 to 11, 2026, the FIRESAFENET Study Visit brought participants from Italy and Slovenia to Sardinia, taking them on a journey that began in Sassari, passed through the Goceano forests, and ended in Suni.
The study visit provided an important opportunity for dialogue among researchers, practitioners, institutions, and organizations involved in fire prevention and management. Through discussions, field visits, and direct engagement with local stakeholders, participants were able to learn about approaches, practices, and experiences developed in different contexts and reflect on how these might be shared within the framework of cross-border cooperation.
At the heart of this experience lies the relationship between scientific research, operational expertise, and knowledge of the local area—elements that are distinct yet closely intertwined when it comes to preventing and addressing complex risks such as wildfires.
Sardinia provided a particularly significant setting for this discussion, thanks to the experience it has gained over time in land management, fire prevention, and collaboration among operational units, research institutions, and government agencies.
For ISIG, which organized and facilitated the Study Visit, these days provided, above all, a concrete opportunity to foster exchanges between different experiences, professional backgrounds, and regions. This initiative not only allowed for the sharing of knowledge and tools but also helped strengthen relationships and build greater mutual understanding among the participants.
In the video produced by ISIG, we sought to capture the atmosphere, the locations, and—above all—the human and professional value of these three days, using images to convey some of the most meaningful moments of the experience.
The study visit has come to an end, but the FIRESAFENET initiative continues. The experiences gained, the relationships built, and the dialogue initiated in Sardinia provide an important foundation for the project’s upcoming activities and for continuing to strengthen cooperation among the participating regions.
Building cooperation before emergencies: Building relationships and collaborative capacity before an emergency arises means creating the conditions to share knowledge, understand different systems, and tackle together challenges that increasingly transcend administrative and national borders.
We would like to thank all the participants who shared their expertise, experiences, and perspectives during the Study Visit.
We would like to thank the partners, institutions, and organizations that contributed to making this experience possible: Nova Gorica Fire Department | Municipality of Ajdovščina | Slovenian Firefighters Association | Municipality of Monfalcone | University of Trieste – Department of Engineering and Architecture | Sardinia Regional Forestry and Environmental Protection Corps | CNR National Research Council IBE Sardinia
