INEREP

Interborder Emergency Response Enhancement Project (INEREP)

Priority Axis 2: Green investments in environmental protection and efficient risk management
Operation start date: 01 July 2025
Operation completion date: 30 June 2029
Budget: EUR 14.837.567,72
Number of Partners: 6

Operation purpose and expected achievements:
The overall objective of INEREP is to enhance cross-border cooperation in disaster prevention, preparedness, and response by strengthening institutional capacities, modernizing emergency infrastructure, and integrating advanced digital tools. Through the implementation of this project, the region will benefit from faster emergency response, improved cross-border coordination between services, and increased preparedness among local populations. The main project activities include the definition and establishment of a strategic framework for cross-border collaboration, enhancement of firefighting and rescue infrastructure, joint education, and raising public awareness and community engagement in disaster prevention and response. Project will also introduce structured joint action plans, new firefighting equipment, and cross-border training programs to ensure that emergency services can operate efficiently across national borders. As an innovative element, the FireGIS application will integrate satellite and meteorological data to create a real-time risk assessment platform, thereby enhancing emergency response capabilities. By combining modern technology, infrastructure development, and institutional cooperation, INEREP strengthens disaster preparedness and resilience across borders.

Beneficiaries:

Split Dalmatia County (HR), as the Lead Partner in the INEREP project, is responsible for the coordination of project activities and collaboration among partner institutions from Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro. It leads the development of a Joint Action Plan for cross-border collaboration in prevention and preparedness and oversees the implementation of FireGIS, a digital fire risk assessment tool. The Lead partner ensures that emergency responders are trained in digital tools and supports the modernization of firefighting infrastructure. Joint training programs and public awareness campaigns are organized to unify protocols and promote disaster risk prevention. The investment in the Vučevica Training Center is essential for strengthening emergency response capacities in the cross-border region and includes the construction of “Building B – Specialized Units Campus”, a facility with advanced infrastructure for training, simulation, and rescue operations.

Ministry of Interior – Directorate for Protection and Rescue (ME) operates the National Training Centre in Podgorica, which is being upgraded through this project and procurement of specialized firefighting equipment such as vehicles and off-road pickups, modular containers for indoor fire training, rescue equipment, and technical intervention gear. The outdoor training area is upgraded with a modular tunnel model to simulate rescue operations. Ministry of Interior leads training sessions with project partners to unify procedures and promote mutual learning. These efforts enhance operational readiness and contribute to reducing disaster risks in the cross-border area.

Federal Administration of Civil Protection of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BA) is responsible for the analysing existing cross-border procedures and best practices to ensure synergy and development of an action plan. Project partner procures specialized firefighting vehicles, drones, portable water tanks, additional gear for units in fire-prone border areas, a heavy-duty vehicle, a vehicle for transport of search and rescue dogs, etc. In coordination with cantonal and municipal/city civil protection services, it will enhance firefighter and rescuer training capacities and conduct public awareness campaigns on fire risks and preventive measures to reduce the risk of forest fires.

Civil  protection administration Republic of Srpska (BA)  is responsible for drafting an action plan for cross-border cooperation in prevention and preparedness, implementing an awareness-raising plan for the Republic of Srpska (RS), organizing project events and trainings, and carrying out partner-based training activities in RS.

Development-Guarantee Fund of Brcko District (BA) is responsible for implementing project activities in the Brčko District – formulating an action plan for cross-border collaboration in prevention and preparedness activities, implementing an awareness-raising plan, organizing training for firefighters in Split and Podgorica, conducting partner-based trainings and procurement of equipment for firefighting units.

Firefighting Education and Technological Development Center Split – VACETRAS (HR) leads the development and implementation of cross-border training programs to enhance firefighting and emergency response capacities. It designs specialized training modules aligned with international best practices and technological advancements in fire prevention, risk assessment, and rescue operations. Project partner also organizes joint exercises simulating wildfires, search and rescue, and medical response. It integrates digital tools like FireGIS into training and educates responders on their use. VACETRAS contributes to public awareness campaigns and supports community resilience initiatives. Through these efforts, it strengthens professional competencies and cross-border cooperation in emergency preparedness.

Events & News:

– razvoj.gov.hr