The Interreg eOUTLAND project has helped enhance protection of NATURA 2000 and other protected areas in the cross-border regions of Central Macedonia, in Northern Greece, and South Central, in Bulgaria, against natural disasters, such as floods and wildfires. This was achieved by expanding the capacity, competence, and support structures of existing civil protection volunteer groups through specialised training, staffing, equipment, knowledge, and cross-border networking.
- 30 July 2020
The Interreg eOUTLAND project has promoted civil protection volunteerism on both sides of the border and has proven to be a valuable tool for providing volunteers with personal safety garments, field equipment, and technological support of a high standard, further securing their regions, hometowns, fellow citizens, and themselves.
Common cross-border activities have included multiple and single-day training sessions, webinars, meetings, field trips, and open events. These have enabled civil protection volunteers, trainers, project staff and civilians to get to know each others’ culture, operational procedures, training standards, and needs.
Guidebooks and study material on natural disasters and civil protection have been compiled. Volunteers were provided with personal safety and field equipment, and technological support of a high standard. All of this has helped to promote civil protection volunteerism on both sides of the border.
Showing results
Volunteers from both countries have already started to put into practise what they have gained so far. Specialised vehicles and other equipment provided via the project, such as water tanks and pumps, have already been deployed in the field and are being used in training, drills, and real events.
This includes deployment, during efforts to contain the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, to disinfect public areas. These have included roads, town squares, parks, and border posts between Greece and Bulgaria.
Like any cross-border project for groups from different nations, eOUTLAND’s major challenge was quickly identified as differences between civil protection mechanisms in Greece and Bulgaria. Although there is no significant environmental deviation in the cross-border area, cultural and historical factors have shaped totally different administration structures put in place to prevent and manage natural disasters.
Bringing the two different systems together to create common training and operating standards was a notable achievement.
Participation of volunteers
As the project was never intended to create new jobs, its core element is the selfless participation volunteers against the impact of natural disasters. However, indirect job benefits may follow after the establishment of a mature civil protection volunteer network and the need for permanent professional and scientific support staff.
The project started in October 2017, with an initial completion date of September 2019. An extension until the end of June 2020 was approved because almost all the goals were interconnected and demanded the participation of all beneficiaries. The Covid-19 pandemic has caused serious delays and a further extension is under discussion. Meanwhile, due to the wide participation, common acceptance, and positive publicity, additional activities have been suggested for 12 more months.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “eOUTLAND: Protecting biodiversity at NATURA 2000 sites and other protected areas from natural hazards through a certified framework for cross-border education, training and support of civil protection volunteers based on innovation and new technologies” is EUR 1 207 831, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 1 026 648 through the “Cooperation Programme Interreg V-A Greece-Bulgaria 2014-2020” for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “Environment and Climate”.