Improving disaster response capacity to environmental disasters and climate change through cooperation between local authorities and rescue teams: this is the goal of the IN4SAFETY project, funded by the European Union under the Interreg Italy-Slovenia Program. The initiative, led by the Municipality of Ajdovščina (Slovenia) and supported by a budget of nearly 750,000 euros, will conclude on September 30, 2025, involving a broad cross-border partnership.

Project partners include the University of Trieste, with the Department of Engineering and Architecture, the Geodetic Institute of Slovenia, the Metropolitan City of Venice, the International Institute of Sociology in Gorizia, and the Firefighters of Nova Gorica. Associated partners include the Association of Slovenian Firefighters, the Health Center of Ajdovščina, the Municipality of Nova Gorica, the Civil Protection of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, the Municipality of Gorizia, and the Municipality of Duino Aurisina.

The project addresses the need for more coordinated action in managing climate and environmental emergencies in the cross-border area, particularly highlighted by the wildfires that affected the Carso in 2022. Through two joint action plans, the integration of territorial data into WebGIS geoportals, and joint training sessions for rescue units, IN4SAFETY aims to improve prevention and risk management at the regional level.

Among the most innovative solutions foreseen by the project is the creation of an emergency plan for aerial rescue, which integrates digital data on terrain and obstacles with existing WebGIS territorial platforms. The goal is to ensure faster and more efficient interventions in the event of natural disasters.

On January 30, a workshop for the IN4SAFETY project was held at the University of Trieste, bringing together project partners to present objectives and ongoing activities. After an introductory session, attended by the Italian Consul General in Koper, the afternoon featured a practical session dedicated to using QGIS software and analyzing Sentinel satellite images from the ESA COPERNICUS Project. Participants were able to deepen their knowledge of territorial monitoring techniques, thematic map creation, and emergency management using advanced digital tools.