Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) is one of the strategic areas of intervention of the italian cooperation in the Western Balkans, in line with the priorities of the European integration process of the Western Balkan countries, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda (in particular SDG 11 and SDG 13), and the European Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM).
AICS Tirana’s DRR action is geared towards institutional strengthening, developing technical and operational capacities, improving emergency prevention, preparedness, and response systems, as well as strengthening regional and cross-border cooperation. The adopted approach systematically takes advantage of the best practices carried out by the Italian Civil Protection System, recognized at European and international levels as a reference model.
With a budget of €42 million, AICS Tirana is funding and implementing 5 projects to reduce the risk of natural and man-made disasters in the Western Balkans (Albania: 2 grants and 1 soft loan; Bosnia and Herzegovina: 1 grant; Regional: 1 grant) including activities related to:
- Support to the Albanian Civil Protection Agency in emergency prevention and management;
- Strengthening the Albanian Fire Corp through training courses and the creation of additional units;
- Support to the Albanian Civil Protection Agency’s volunteer program;
- Strengthening the resilience of local communities to better respond to natural and man-made risks;
- Support to cross-border cooperation in the Western Balkans to improve the management of multi-risk early warning systems.