FLOOD PROTECTION 2: Cross Border Planning and Infrastructure Measures for Flood Protection

The project’s main outputs include both infrastructure investments and capacity-building measures, as outlined below:

Structural and Nature-Based Interventions

• Enhancement of anti-flood infrastructure in priority locations such as Orestiada (GR) to improve flood resilience and hydraulic performance through rehabilitation, upgrading and maintenance of protective works.
• Construction of protective flood facilities in Simitli, Sandanski and Strumeshnitsa (BG) along the Struma River, designed to safeguard settlements and agricultural areas through engineered solutions and flow regulation structures.
• Construction of a retaining wall along the Cherna River in Smolyan (BG) to mitigate erosion and prevent overflow in vulnerable urban sections.
• Strengthening of the riverbank of the Varbitsa River (BG) to reduce flood risks and protect adjacent communities and infrastructure.
• Strategic planning for Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) and green infrastructure in the Strymonas River catchment area on Greek territory, targeting flood and erosion risk reduction through sustainable land and water management practices, including restoration of floodplains, afforestation and wetland conservation (GR).

Technological and Monitoring Tools

• Installation of a computer vision system powered by artificial intelligence (AI) using real-time camera monitoring to control and analyze stream flows in urban and semi-urban areas on Greek territory, supporting early flood warning and proactive response (GR).
• Deployment of an intelligent video-based alerting system to prevent vehicle access to flooded segments of the road network on Greek territory, thereby enhancing public safety during flood events (GR).
• Supply and installation of telemetric stations for continuous monitoring of hydrological and meteorological parameters on Greek territory, enabling accurate data collection and predictive modelling (GR).
• Provision of equipment for regional administrations acting as responsible and chief coordination during a disaster(BG).
• Procurement of off-road vehicles to facilitate rapid emergency response and mobility in difficult terrain, especially during extreme weather conditions (BG).

Awareness, Communication and Dissemination

• Development and distribution of publicity materials, including brochures, posters, informative videos, TV and radio spots, newspaper advertisements, as well as branded items such as bags, folders, pens and USB drives, to raise awareness and visibility of the project.
• Promotion of project results through mass media activities such as press releases, press conferences, media campaigns and targeted advertisements across digital platforms and a launch event.

These integrated measures are designed not only to protect lives and assets from flood hazards but also to foster long-term crossborder cooperation between Greece and Bulgaria in climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction. The project aligns with EU policy frameworks, including the EU Floods Directive (2007/60/EC) and the EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change, focusing on targeted measures implementation for improved resilience to flood and extreme events in the cross-border area.

The main target groups that are expected to benefit from the project outputs are the six (6) Project Beneficiaries and the population living in the nearby areas where the planned interventions will take place.

Output Indicators:

• RCO24 – Investments in new or upgraded disaster monitoring, preparedness, warning and response systems against natural disasters => EUR 5,461,812.35
• RCO87 – Organisations cooperating across borders => 6.