A regional workshop dedicated to the exchange of experiences and best practices from the SEE ME and SEE ME 2 projects—initiatives focused on improving the safety and inclusion of persons with disabilities in emergency situations—was launched in Zadar, Croatia, from 4 to 6 March 2026.
The workshop is organized within the framework of the Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Initiative for South Eastern Europe (DPPI SEE) and brings together representatives of civil protection authorities, relevant institutions, and organizations from across the region.
Participants include representatives from Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Romania, Albania, Serbia, and Croatia, as well as the Head of DPPI SEE Secretariat, Prof. Dr. Rade Rajkovchevski.
The workshop was opened by Ms. Marijana Klanac, Assistant Director of the Croatian Civil Protection Directorate, who emphasized the importance of an inclusive approach in civil protection systems.
She highlighted that although crises can affect anyone, their consequences are not experienced equally. Persons with disabilities are often exposed to higher risks due to barriers related to communication, mobility, and access to information and services. For this reason, projects were launched to improve equal access to safety and emergency support.
Through the two projects, participating institutions have developed guidelines, tools, and training programmes, while also improving the national registry of persons with disabilities. An important achievement of these initiatives is the shift in approach—from designing solutions for persons with disabilities to developing them together with persons with disabilities.
During the first day of the workshop, participants reviewed the results of the initiatives and exchanged national experiences and best practices. Particular attention was given to the challenges faced by persons with disabilities during crises, with contributions from experts and representatives of disability organizations.
The workshop also includes representatives of organizations of persons with disabilities, such as associations of blind and deaf persons, as well as organizations representing persons with paraplegia and tetraplegia.
On the second day, experts will present the Registry of Persons with Disabilities in the Republic of Croatia and discuss the use of GIS in inclusive risk management, as well as approaches for strengthening the capacities and resilience of persons with disabilities in emergency situations.
By exchanging knowledge, strengthening regional cooperation, and proposing practical measures, the workshop contributes to ensuring that the needs of persons with disabilities are integrated into all phases of disaster risk management.

More information is available on the website of the Croatian Civil Protection Directorate: https://lnkd.in/dyme9QBY