The Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Initiative for South-Eastern Europe (DPPI SEE), in cooperation with the National Civil Protection Agency of Albania, successfully organized the regional workshop “Interoperability and Cross-Border Coordination” from 18 to 20 February 2026 in Durrës, Republic of Albania.

The workshop gathered representatives of civil protection authorities from DPPI SEE Member States with the aim of strengthening regional cooperation, enhancing interoperability, and improving cross-border coordination in disaster risk management and emergency response.

The event was officially opened by Dr. Rade Rajkovchevski – Head of DPPI SEE Secretariat and Mr. Besnik Hysaj on behalf of the National Civil Protection Agency of Albania, who emphasized the importance of operational compatibility, timely information exchange, and joint response mechanisms in addressing increasingly complex and transboundary risks.

Throughout the two working days, participants exchanged experiences, challenges, and best practices related to interoperability and cross-border coordination. National presentations were delivered by Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Montenegro, Serbia, Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria, and North Macedonia. Discussions focused on practical cooperation mechanisms, legal and procedural frameworks, communication systems, and lessons learned from recent emergencies.

The workshop provided a valuable platform for identifying common challenges and defining forward-looking regional approaches, including enhanced coordination procedures, harmonization of operational standards, and strengthened mutual assistance arrangements.

The event concluded with a summary of key highlights and agreed follow-up actions, reaffirming the shared commitment of DPPI SEE Member States to further strengthen regional resilience and solidarity.

DPPI SEE expresses its sincere appreciation to the National Civil Protection Agency of Albania for the excellent organization and warm hospitality, as well as to all participants for their active engagement and constructive contributions.

Together, we continue building a more interoperable, coordinated, and resilient Southeastern Europe.

Between 2 and 4 February 2026, an international training in the field of Forest Fires took place at the Slovenian National Centre for Large Wildfires in Sežana.

The main objective was to provide participants with the knowledge and skills needed for a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles and practices related to Wildfires. In addition to theoretical knowledge, participants were introduced to advanced Wildfire extinguishing techniques and equipment. As part of the programme, participants also visited the Sežana Fire and Rescue Service and the Postojna Volunteer Fire Brigade.

The 18 participants came from nine countries — Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Croatia, Romania, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Slovenia — all of which take part in the regional Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Initiative for South Eastern Europe.

The training represents Slovenia’s contribution to the training programme within the framework of this Initiative. Additional events of this kind will be organised in various member states of the Initiative later this year, contributing to improved disaster preparedness across the region.

As part of the DPPI SEE Disaster Management Training Programme (DMTP) 2025, the Workshop on Inclusive Preparedness for Disasters was held in Bucharest, Romania, from 20 to 22 October 2025, hosted by the Directorate General for Civil Protection of Romania in cooperation with DPPI SEE.The workshop aimed to strengthen understanding and practical approaches to disability-inclusive disaster risk management across South-Eastern Europe. It brought together representatives from DPPI SEE Member States, international organizations, and experts committed to ensuring that disaster preparedness and response efforts are inclusive of persons with disabilities.The programme featured presentations from the National Disability Council of Romania, the World Bank, UNDP.Through this event, DPPI SEE reaffirmed its commitment to promoting inclusiveness and resilience as key principles of disaster risk reduction in the region.

The Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Initiative for South Eastern Europe (DPPI SEE), in cooperation with UNICEF, organized the Second Workshop on “Child-Sensitive Risk Analysis/Assessments and Rapid Needs Assessments”, which took place from 15 to 18 December 2025 in Podgorica, Montenegro.

The workshop was officially opened by Miodrag Bešović, Director General of the Directorate for Rescue and Protection of the Ministry of Interior of Montenegro, Michele Messina, Regional Emergency Advisor, Michele Servadei, UNICEF Country Office Representative in Montenegro, and Rade Rajkovchevski, Head of the DPPI SEE Secretariat.

The workshop was organized as a follow-up to the first regional training in this field and aimed to further strengthen the capacities of DPPI SEE Member States to integrate child-sensitive approaches into disaster risk analysis, risk assessments, and rapid needs assessments. The event gathered representatives of civil protection authorities and disaster management institutions, as well as UNICEF experts and practitioners from across the region.

Through expert presentations, facilitated discussions, and practical group exercises, participants addressed key aspects of child-sensitive risk analysis, including children’s specific vulnerabilities and capacities in disaster contexts, the use of child-sensitive indicators, and the application of these approaches in preparedness, response, and recovery planning.

The workshop provided a valuable platform for peer exchange and sharing of regional practices, contributing to improved coordination between disaster management authorities and child-focused institutions. It also reaffirmed the continued cooperation between DPPI SEE and UNICEF in promoting inclusive, people-centred, and resilient disaster risk management systems in South Eastern Europe, with a particular focus on the protection and well-being of children in emergencies.

The Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Initiative for South-Eastern Europe (DPPI SEE), in cooperation with the Sector for Emergency Management of the Republic of Serbia, successfully conducted the regional workshop “Host Nation Support in the SEE Region” from 3 to 5 December 2025 in Belgrade.

The workshop brought together experts and practitioners from seven DPPI SEE Member States, who shared their national experiences, recent operational challenges, and lessons learned regarding the implementation of Host Nation Support (HNS) procedures. The event served as an important platform to review the application of EU HNS Guidelines in real operations and exercises over the past two to three years.

In addition to presentations from participating countries, the final session of the workshop was dedicated to structured working-group discussions. Participants were divided into groups and tasked to review their national and regional experiences and provide concrete conclusions and recommendations. 

The conclusions and recommendations developed by the working groups were presented in the plenary session at the end of the event. These outputs will serve as valuable input for strengthening national preparedness, improving regional cooperation, and supporting the more consistent application of EU HNS Guidelines across the SEE region.

Bucharest, 25–27 November 2025

The Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Initiative for South Eastern Europe (DPPI SEE), in cooperation with the Department for Emergency Situations of Romania, successfully conducted the workshop “Volunteering as a Pillar of Civil Protection” from 25 to 27 November 2025 in Bucharest.

This event brought together representatives of civil protection authorities, volunteer organizations, training centers, and relevant institutions from across the DPPI SEE region. The workshop explored the essential role that volunteers play in strengthening national civil protection systems and enhancing preparedness, response, and recovery capacities.

Over the course of three days, participants examined various models of organizing, training, and sustaining volunteer structures; shared national experiences and lessons learned; and discussed opportunities for stronger regional cooperation. Special attention was given to the integration of volunteers in response operations, cross-border engagements, digital tools for volunteer management, and approaches to maintaining motivation and long-term engagement within volunteer communities.

The workshop featured expert presentations, interactive group work, and field insights provided by the Romanian hosts, offering participants a deeper understanding of how volunteer systems contribute to resilient societies. The exchange of practical experiences highlighted the importance of structured volunteer engagement as a core component of modern civil protection systems.

This activity was implemented within the 2025 DPPI SEE Disaster Management Training Programme (DMTP), reinforcing DPPI SEE’s commitment to promoting regional dialogue, capacity building, and shared learning in disaster preparedness and response.

On 11–12 December 2025, RACVIAC – Centre for Security Cooperation, in close cooperation with the Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Initiative for South-Eastern Europe (DPPI SEE), hosted the regional workshop “Transboundary Use of Incident Command Systems in Complex Disaster Response Scenarios.” The activity was jointly designed and implemented as part of the continuous partnership between RACVIAC and DPPI SEE, aimed at strengthening regional disaster preparedness, response coordination, and interoperability.

The workshop gathered 20 experts and representatives of civil protection authorities, emergency management institutions, and relevant ministries from across South-Eastern Europe. Discussions focused on policy, operational, and technical dimensions of applying the Incident Command System (ICS) in cross-border and complex emergency situations, reflecting DPPI SEE’s mandate to support harmonisation of approaches and capacity building among its Member States.

Responding to the growing complexity of disasters with transboundary impacts, the workshop underlined the need for common procedures, aligned policies, and enhanced interoperability among emergency services in the region. Building on the outcomes of an introductory ICS workshop jointly organised by DPPI SEE and RACVIAC in November 2024, this follow-up activity placed particular emphasis on policy alignment, practical operationalisation of ICS, and the exchange of real-life experiences from national authorities involved in cross-border emergency response.

The workshop was officially opened by Ambassador Constantin-Mihail Grigorie, Director of RACVIAC, who highlighted the strong cooperation with DPPI SEE as a key enabler of the event. He reaffirmed the shared commitments outlined in the long-standing Letter of Interest between RACVIAC and DPPI SEE, emphasising their joint role in advancing regional cooperation in disaster preparedness and response.

Ambassador Grigorie noted that the use of ICS in complex, transboundary emergencies continues to face challenges due to divergent national legal frameworks, procedures, and organisational structures across South-Eastern Europe. He encouraged participants to engage actively, share operational lessons learned during the simulation exercise, and make use of the workshop as a platform for confidence-building, trust enhancement, and the development of sustainable professional networks—objectives strongly promoted by DPPI SEE in its regional activities.

The two-day programme included expert inputs, moderated thematic discussions, and an interactive table-top exercise, jointly facilitated to reflect DPPI SEE’s regional perspective and operational realities of its Member States. Particular attention was devoted to policy harmonisation, legal and organisational constraints, and information-sharing mechanisms in cross-border emergencies. The final session produced a joint set of key observations and regional recommendations, contributing to DPPI SEE’s broader efforts to promote common standards, improved interoperability, and increased readiness of emergency response systems in South-Eastern Europe.

The workshop concluded with a closing ceremony, during which certificates were awarded to participants. In his closing remarks, Ambassador Grigorie expressed appreciation to all contributors and underlined the value of DPPI SEE’s role in connecting national authorities and translating technical discussions into regional cooperation outcomes. Participants were encouraged to take the workshop’s conclusions back to their respective institutions, supporting DPPI SEE’s objective of transforming knowledge exchange into concrete policies, frameworks, and joint initiatives that enhance regional preparedness and resilience in transboundary disaster scenarios.

From 4 to 6 November 2025, the Sector for Emergency Management of the Republic of Serbia, Ministry of the Interior, in cooperation with the Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Initiative for South Eastern Europe (DPPI SEE) Secretariat, hosted the regional workshop on “Enhancing Risk Analytics and Assessment for Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management” as part of the DPPI SEE Disaster Management Training Programme (DMTP) 2025.

The workshop gathered 35 participants from DPPI SEE member states, including representatives of national civil protection authorities, technical agencies, and academic institutions, alongside experts from regional and international organizations.

The main objective of the workshop was to strengthen the regional understanding and application of risk analytics and assessment methodologies to support evidence-based decision-making in disaster risk management. Participants explored key concepts such as multi-hazard risk mapping, data standardization, interoperability, and geospatial information systems (GIS), while also sharing national experiences in the development of comprehensive risk assessments.

The three-day event combined plenary presentations, thematic sessions, and practical exercises, focusing on the integration of scientific data into disaster preparedness and planning processes. Discussions highlighted the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration, data exchange, and the harmonization of risk assessment practices across South-Eastern Europe, in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015–2030) and the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.

Through this workshop, DPPI SEE reaffirmed its commitment to supporting member states in advancing analytical capacities and promoting the use of technology and data in disaster risk management. The outcomes of the workshop will directly contribute to shaping the 2026 cycle of the DPPI SEE Disaster Management Training Programme, particularly in the thematic area of risk analytics and evidence-based preparedness.

The Secretariat expresses its appreciation to the Sector for Emergency Management of the Republic of Serbia for their excellent cooperation and hospitality, and to all participants for their valuable contributions and active engagement throughout the event.

From 27–29 May 2025, the DPPI SEE in partnership with UNICEF and hosted by Romania’s Department for Emergency Situations (DSU), convened a regional workshop in Bucharest focused on Child-Sensitive and Inclusive Emergency Preparedness and Response.

This important event, followed after signing the MoU in September 2024, brought together representatives from civil protection authorities across the region and UNICEF experts to explore how child-focused perspectives can be more effectively integrated into disaster risk management policies and practices.

Key highlights included:

• Alignment of national strategies with the European Preparedness Union Strategy and other EU and UN policies and strategies.
• Deepening understanding of UNICEF’s Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action.
• Experience-sharing from Romania, Croatia, and other member states on good practices in child-centered disaster preparedness and education.
• Group exercises and discussions to identify policy gaps and outline concrete action plans for 2025.

The event was opened by Dr. Raed Arafat (State Secretary and Head of the Department for Emergency Situations in the Romanian Ministry of Internal Affairs), Dr. Rade Rajkovchevski (Head of DPPI SEE Secretariat) and Mr. Michele Messina (Regional Emergency Advisor, UNICEF ECARO). It concluded with strong commitments to foster inclusive disaster risk reduction strategies that place children at the center of preparedness and response efforts.

We thank all our partners and participants for their valuable contributions and look forward to continuing collaboration in making our region safer for children.

We warmly acknowledge the exceptional efforts of Mr. Marian-Cosmin Bunoiu and Ms. Alina Tanasescu (Romanian DSU), Mr. Rekha Shrestha (UNICEF) and all our Romanian and UNICEF colleagues involved in the organization of this important event.

International Training and Demonstration Exercise on Mountain Rescue Held in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia 9-11 September 2025

From 9 to 11 September 2025, an international training and demonstration exercise on mountain rescue was successfully held at Hotel Špik in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia. The event was organized within the framework of the Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Initiative for South Eastern Europe (DPPI SEE).

The training was hosted by the Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief, in close cooperation with the Mountain Rescue Association of Slovenia, and represents Slovenia’s contribution to the 2025 Disaster Management Training Programme (DMTP) under the DPPI SEE initiative.

A total of 19 participants from 9 DPPI SEE member countries took part in the training. The primary objective was to provide participants with the knowledge and practical skills required for a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles and practices of mountain rescue operations.

As part of the programme, a demonstration helicopter rescue exercise was conducted in Mojstrana, showcasing real-life techniques and inter-agency cooperation in mountain rescue missions.

The training not only strengthened participants’ operational capacities but also contributed to regional cooperation and the exchange of expertise among civil protection and disaster management professionals in South Eastern Europe.

We are pleased to share that representatives of DPPI SEE took part in the Crisis Management Days 2025 conference, held from 3–4 June 2025 in Opatija, Croatia. Organized by the University of Applied Sciences Velika Gorica and partners (including Ministry of Interior - Civil Protection Directorate), this annual event gathers leading professionals, researchers, and practitioners in the fields of crisis and disaster management.

As this event was part of its Disaster Management Training Programme (DMTP), DPPI SEE contributed to the conference through the participation of representatives from its member states. Additionally, the Head of the DPPI SEE Secretariat took part as a speaker in the panel titled “The European Union's Security and Defence Policy: Challenges and Opportunities,” offering insights into regional experiences, strategic directions, and the evolving civil protection landscape in South-Eastern Europe.

Our participation reflects DPPI SEE’s ongoing commitment to regional cooperation, knowledge exchange, and alignment with the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) and UN efforts in disaster risk reduction. The event provided an important platform for dialogue on building more resilient and better-prepared societies.

The Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Initiative for South-Eastern Europe (DPPI SEE) proudly took part in the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GPDRR) 2025, held in Geneva, Switzerland between 2-6 June 2025, under the auspices of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).

Representatives of the DPPI SEE Secretariat, together with national delegations from its Member States, actively engaged in the Platform’s high-level sessions, including thematic panels, plenary discussions, and ministerial meetings. Their participation reflected the region’s strong commitment to the implementation of the regional approach in disaster prevention and preparedness, as well as the promotion of coordinated and collaborative approaches to resilience-building.

Throughout the event, DPPI SEE Secretariat and member states:

• Contributed to discussions on disaster risk governance, preparedness, early warning, and anticipatory action.

• Shared regional experiences on inter-agency coordination, cross-border cooperation, and capacity-building for disaster risk management.

• Highlighted the added value of regional mechanisms such as DPPI SEE in enhancing collective disaster preparedness and prevention efforts.

• Engaged with international partners and stakeholders to foster new opportunities for technical cooperation and investment in disaster risk reduction.

Participation in GPDRR 2025 reinforced the strategic importance of regional solidarity and knowledge exchange in disaster risk reduction and confirmed the relevance of DPPI SEE’s mission to serve as a platform for cooperation, innovation, and shared responsibility in South-Eastern Europe.

The Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Initiative for South-Eastern Europe (DPPI SEE) successfully co-hosted the regional workshop on "Stress Management in Response to Natural and Other Disasters", held in Ljubljana, Slovenia, from 16 to 18 December 2024.

Organized by the Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief, this workshop was a valuable contribution to the DPPI SEE’s Disaster Management Training Programme for 2024.

Workshop Highlights:

• Empowering participants with strategies for managing stress effectively during crises.
• Enhancing skills in psychological support for rescuers and decision-makers.
• Addressing sensitive topics, including coping with grief, suicide in rescue units, and fostering personal growth post-crisis.
• Providing individual and peer support for psychological preparedness in disaster response.

The workshop brought together providers and organizers of psychological support services, rescuers in need of assistance, and decision-makers from DPPI SEE member countries.

DPPI SEE, in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior, Sector for Emergency Management of Republic of Serbia, was proud to host the workshop on "Emergency Management and Cross-Sector Coordination with a Focus on Forest Fires", from October 8 to 10, 2024, in Belgrade, Serbia. Attending member states include: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania and Serbia.

The event brought together a diverse group of colleagues from the field of civil protection and disaster risk reduction, including local government officials and emergency response teams through which the attendees gained crucial insight from both, administrative and practical aspects of managing emergency situations caused by forest fires. The primary objective was to facilitate discussion and exchange experiences and common practices among various member state sectors in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from forest fire incidents. Participants engaged in discussions on best practices, shared experiences, and identified gaps in current emergency management protocols through their respective presentations.

The workshop featured several keynote speakers who provided valuable insights into effective emergency management strategies. Topics covered included the importance of real-time data sharing, the role of community engagement in disaster preparedness, and the integration of technology in firefighting efforts. Group sessions allowed participants to brainstorm solutions to specific challenges, such as coordinating evacuation plans and improving communication between agencies. The interactive format fostered a spirit of collaboration, leading to the development of actionable recommendations tailored to the unique needs of the region.

As a result of the workshop, attendees expressed a renewed commitment to strengthening cross-sector coordination in forest fire management. The insights gained and connections made during the workshop will be invaluable in enhancing community resilience and ensuring that all stakeholders are better prepared to address the challenges posed by forest fires in the future.

The one-and-a-half-day workshop titled “Incident Command Systems in South-Eastern Europe – Tools and Procedures for Interaction of Emergency Services” was held on 20-21 November 2024 in Zagreb, Croatia. This event was jointly organized by the Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Initiative for South-Eastern Europe (DPPI SEE) and RACVIAC (Centre for Security Cooperation).

During the workshop, participants engaged in discussions addressing the challenges and opportunities of coordinating national Incident Command Systems (ICS) across South-Eastern Europe.

The workshop focused on enhancing regional cooperation in disaster preparedness and response, fostering alignment with Euro-Atlantic standards.

The event provided a valuable opportunity to share tools, procedures, and best practices essential for effective interaction between emergency services during large-scale disasters.

The Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in collaboration with the Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Initiative of South-Eastern Europe (DPPI SEE), held a workshop titled "Preparation of Project Proposals in the Field of Protection and Rescue, and Application to Available EU Funds - Exchange of Experiences" on 25-26 September
2024, in Jahorina.
In addition to representatives from various levels of the host country, the workshop welcomed participants from DPPI SEE member states, including Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, and Slovenia, as well as representatives from the European Commission’s DG ECHO. The workshop aimed to provide a platform for participants from DPPI SEE countries to showcase best practices and exchange experiences in project development. Key discussions revolved around the challenges civil protection authorities face—from conducting institutional needs assessments and identifying relevant project topics, to writing applications and establishing project consortiums.
During the second part of the workshop, participants were divided into four working groups. Each group selected a relevant project topic, navigated application procedures, adhered to defined timelines and milestones, and presented their brief project proposals.

The DPPI SEE Secretariat and its member states actively contributed as panelists and representatives in various panels and meetings, including the Ministerial Meeting at the Europe & Central Asia Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, held in Budva from November 6–8, 2024.

The Head of the DPPI SEE Secretariat delivered the opening speech for the panel “Road to Resilience: Children and Youth in Action,” where he emphasized DPPI SEE's role in fostering a child- and family-sensitive regional approach in disaster risk management and civil protection. He also announced the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between DPPI SEE and UNICEF, highlighting seven new collaborative activities planned under this partnership over the next two years.

Additionally, the DPPI SEE Secretariat participated in the MCR2030 Regional Coordinating Committee and in the session, “Towards a Network of Networks: Connecting Sub-Regional Hubs in Europe and Central Asia Region for Accelerating DRR.” The Head of the Secretariat also contributed to the European Commission Workshop on Regional Cooperation in Disaster Risk Management, presenting DPPI SEE’s perspective on regional collaboration in this field.

At the Ministerial Meeting, the Head of DPPI SEE Secretariat underscored its unique role as a prominent sub-regional hub in South-Eastern Europe, enhancing capacity across the region by integrating similarities and balancing differences among the ten national civil protection authorities. He highlighted DPPI SEE’s Disaster Management Training Program (DMTP), which organizes joint training, exercises, and activities to build a holistic approach in disaster preparedness and prevention through cross-sectoral support and interdisciplinary collaboration.

The Head further outlined DPPI SEE’s recent efforts to expand its activities and partnerships, including with UNICEF, UNDRR, UNDP, the Sphere Secretariat, DHL, RCC, RACVIAC, the Council of Europe, and others. He closed by emphasizing DPPI SEE’s vision for a stronger, more resilient region, where member states play a larger role in providing assistance and expertise across Europe and beyond.

The workshop organized by Sector for Emergency Management of the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Serbia and implemented within DPPI SEE’s Disaster Management Training Programme for 2024 gathered representative from eight DPPI SEE countries and other representatives from energy company “NIS” a.d., Red Cross of Serbia and Association of speleological organizations in Serbia. 

The workshop emphasized the importance of collaboration between civil protection authorities and external partners. Discussions centered on developing effective partnerships to enhance disaster prevention, preparedness and response, showcasing successful case studies from DPPI SEE countries. Key topics included the critical role of external partners in disaster risk management and the need for resilient infrastructure and comprehensive framework in dealing with emergencies and disasters. Additionally, the workshop examined current institutional setup, policies and legislative frameworks, recommending improvements to support and integrate private-public partnerships into national disaster management strategies. 

The workshop resulted in a commitment to strengthen and expand private-public partnerships among participating countries and organizations, with the formation of new collaborations aimed at enhancing regional disaster preparedness. Participants assessed the current achievements and approaches in developing private-public partnership in disaster risk management and formulated actionable measures and recommendations, focusing on improved coordination, communication, and resource-sharing, serving for capacity building within the DPPI SEE network, planning future workshops and joint exercises. Enhanced networking and knowledge exchange fostered a community of practice in disaster risk management, with an agreement to advocate for policy changes supporting institutionalized private-public partnerships at national and regional levels.

From May 13 to 17, 2024, the "Basic Training for Rescue Dogs and Dog Handlers" took place in Jagodina, Republic of Serbia. This training was a collaborative effort between the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Slovenia as part of the Disaster Management Training Programme for 2024. It was organized by the Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief and the Sector for Emergency Management of the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Serbia.
The training aimed to equip participants with basic knowledge and skills for working with young dogs and to introduce them to emergency situations such as earthquakes, explosions, collapsing buildings, and open area searches for injured or missing persons. It included both theoretical and practical components and was conducted at the abandoned "Juhor" AD company building and in the Kučaj-Beljanica National Park.
The event was attended by 20 experts from seven DPPI SEE countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, and Slovenia.

21 participants from DPPI SEE member states and the DPPI SEE Secretariat are proud to have taken part in the 8th European Civil Protection Forum. The event was an enriching experience that exceeded expectations, offering valuable knowledge and fostering new connections that will significantly enhance our networking opportunities and strengthen the national civil protection capacities of our member countries.

The insights and best practices acquired during the forum will play a key role in improving our prevention, preparedness, and response mechanisms, ensuring that we are better equipped to face future challenges in disaster management and humanitarian response.

We look forward to implementing these new strategies and continuing to build resilience across South-Eastern Europe.