Second Regular Coordination Meeting
07/02/2025
On January 28-29, 2025, the Agency for Rural Development of Zadar County (AGRRA) hosted the second regular coordination meeting of the Digital Plan project, bringing together project partners from Croatia and Italy. The event served as an opportunity for partners to exchange knowledge, assess the progress of project activities, and discuss upcoming steps in the digitalization of civil protection plans.
Co-funded by the INTERREG VI-A Italy-Croatia 2021-2027 Programme, the project aims to enhance cross-border cooperation and digitalize civil protection plans using advanced IoT-based solutions. Throughout the two-day event, discussions were centered on key project developments, including the integration of real-time data for early warning systems and improved disaster response mechanisms. Partners also addressed the main challenges encountered so far, focusing on ensuring interoperability between different civil protection structures in Croatia and Italy.
A significant highlight of the meeting was a study visit to the City of Nin, a site that has faced severe natural disasters, including the devastating 2017 flood. The visit provided partners with a deeper understanding of real-world challenges in disaster response and risk management. The delegation was welcomed at Nin City Hall, where the Mayor of Nin presented an overview of the EU-funded projects implemented in the city, as well as ongoing initiatives aimed at improving flood resilience and disaster preparedness.
Participants watched a documentary video detailing the catastrophic 2017 flood, which caused severe damage to the city’s infrastructure and demonstrated the urgent need for efficient civil protection planning. The discussion that followed highlighted the importance of adopting digital tools to enhance response coordination and preparedness.
The study visit continued at the premises of DVD Pljusak, the local volunteer fire department, where project partners engaged in an open discussion with local emergency responders. The exchange of insights focused on the challenges faced by first responders during emergency situations, the need for better real-time data integration, and the importance of digitalized plans in facilitating coordinated interventions. The conversation reinforced the role of cross-border collaboration in developing innovative solutions that can be applied across regions facing similar risks.
Throughout the meeting, participants had the opportunity to deepen their understanding of civil protection digitalization, explore practical challenges, and exchange expert insights. The visit to Nin provided a valuable real-world perspective on disaster preparedness and response, further underlining the significance of the Digital Plan project in strengthening regional resilience to natural hazards.
