News

At the Velika Gorica University of Applied Sciences, on 10 October 2025, a focus group was held to collect and analyse feedback on the report “Current Situation Analysis” of the ARIANNA Project.

The objectives of the focus group were to:

• gather qualitative, local, and expert knowledge on climate risks, resilience capacities, and the potential for implementing Nature-Based Solutions (NBS);

• assess the accuracy, relevance, and completeness of the information presented in the “Current Situation Analysis”;

• identify knowledge gaps related to current climate risks in Croatia; and

• evaluate the feasibility and relevance of proposed risk management strategies and nature-based solutions.

Participants in the focus group included representatives from the following institutions: the Ministry of the Interior – Directorate of Civil Protection, the City of Velika Gorica, the Public Fire Brigade of the City of Petrinja, and the Velika Gorica University of Applied Sciences.

The key thematic areas discussed were:

1. Local climate risks and impacts

2. Addressing climate risks

3. Nature-Based Solutions (NBS)

4. Community preparedness and risk reduction

5. Governance, policy, and coordination

6. Future perspectives and needs

Representing the University were Igor Milić, v.pred.mag.ing.admin.chris., Jelena Levak, mag. crim., lecturer, Dr. Nives Jovičić, senior lecturer, and Antonio Klobučar, mag. geogr., mag. oec.

After the focus group session, participants completed an evaluation questionnaire. Based on the notes and conclusions from the discussion, as well as the responses from the questionnaire, the University will prepare a report summarizing findings across the key thematic areas.

As a reminder, the Velika Gorica University of Applied Sciences is a project partner in the AdRIAtic-ionian Nature based solutioNs enhAncement (ARIANNA) project, co-funded by the European Union under the Interreg IPA ADRION Programme.

The project coordinator is ASSET – Agenzia regionale Strategica per lo Sviluppo Ecosostenibile del Territorio from Italy, and in addition to VVG, there are six other project partners. The project officially started on 1 September 2024 and will run until 31 August 2027, with a total budget of nearly EUR 1.5 million.

The main objective of the project is to contribute to the prevention of natural disaster risks, particularly floods, which increasingly affect ecosystems.

The key activities of VVG within the project include:

• participation in developing a strategy to enhance the Adriatic-Ionian region’s resilience to climate change and natural disasters,

• strengthening stakeholder competences for flood risk response and raising community awareness on climate resilience,

• participation in pilot action implementation, and

• knowledge and experience exchange among project partners.

Project is co-funded by the European Union under the Interreg IPA ADRION programme.