Total budget: €2,493,000.00
ERDF Grant: €1,994,400.00
Co-financing rate: 80%
Coordinator/Lead Partner: Grad Labin – City of Labin (HR)
Partners: University of Rijeka, Faculty of Engineering (HR); Kamenjak Public Institution (HR); City of Krk (HR); Municipality of Monfalcone (IT); Municipality of Albignasego (IT); Metropolitan City of Venice (IT); ISIG – Institute of International Sociology of Gorizia (IT)
SMART GUARD addresses two closely related challenges that affect the climate resilience of the Italy-Croatia cooperation area: the fragmentation of climate risk monitoring systems and the need to strengthen coordination among civil protection systems. The project develops an integrated approach to environmental risk management, with a particular focus on wildfires and urban heat islands.
Through digital solutions, pilot projects, training programs, community engagement, and cross-border simulations, SMART GUARD aims to provide local authorities, emergency response professionals, and the public with useful and timely information on climate risks, while strengthening cooperation between Italy and Croatia.
Goals and Activities
SMART GUARD is developing a cross-border digital ecosystem capable of integrating environmental data from IoT sensors, weather stations, and thermal drones installed in the pilot areas. The data powers analytical tools designed to monitor wildfires and urban heat islands and supports a more proactive and coordinated approach to risk management.
In addition to the technological component, the project focuses on enhancing the capacity of communities and institutions to prepare for and respond to climate-related events. Activities include participatory analyses of regional vulnerability and resilience, training for professionals and communities, cross-border drills, and the testing of support systems for vulnerable populations.
One specific initiative is the “Digital Rangers” program, a cross-border initiative aimed at 100 young people between the ages of 16 and 25. Through theoretical and practical modules and residential camps in Italy and Croatia, participants will gain skills in climate change, digital technologies, environmental monitoring, and emergency management.
Expected Results
The project involves the joint development of digital solutions for the smart monitoring of multiple environmental risks and tools to strengthen communities’ response capacity. Key expected outcomes include a cross-border digital platform for environmental monitoring, a vulnerability registry system, and a strategy to support communities, as well as a cross-border strategy for climate risk management accompanied by shared operational protocols.
In the pilot areas, operational support centers with progressive activation levels will also be tested: these will serve as information points under normal conditions and, in the event of critical incidents, will be able to provide emergency response support and serve as climate shelters for vulnerable individuals.
The Role of ISIG
ISIG is responsible for Work Package 2—Community Active Involvement and Training—which focuses on community engagement and strengthening the social dimension of territorial resilience. In this context, the Institute coordinates participatory processes and capacity-building activities aimed at the participating regions, fostering dialogue among communities, local stakeholders, and entities involved in climate risk management.
Activities include participatory analysis of the vulnerability and resilience of local areas, engaging local stakeholders through Local Resilience Teams, and contributing to the testing of tools and initiatives to improve communities’ preparedness for climate-related emergencies.
The cross-border “Digital Rangers” program, aimed at 100 young people between the ages of 16 and 25, offers a training program and field activities focused on climate change, digital technologies, emergency management, and environmental monitoring.
ISIG also oversees the project’s communication strategy and digital communication efforts to make the results accessible, engage citizens and stakeholders, and share the experiences gained across the various regions and work packages.
Links
Program page: Interreg Italy-Croatia 2021–2027
