Outline of the Project

Project Name

Project on Capacity Building for Disaster Risk Reduction through National Forest Fire Information System (NFFIS) and Eco-DRR

Subject

Natural Environment Conservation

Country

Montenegro

Date R/D Signed

22nd October 2020

Project Site

Montenegro: Podgorica, Ulcinj (Optional activity site: Kolasin)

Term of Cooperation

3rd March 2021 - 28th Febrary 2026 (5 years)

Implementing Organization

Rescue and Protection Directorate (RPD), Ministry of Interior

Background

Kosovo and Montenegro are located in the Western Balkan region. Forest area covers around half of the land area of each country. Most of the forests are located in mountainous and hilly areas, and it is necessary to maintain and manage forest ecosystems in the mountainous areas from the viewpoint of soil conservation and watershed management. At the same time, forest fires that frequently occur as natural disasters are one of the serious threats to forest ecosystems; therefore, countermeasures against forest fires at an early stage are urgently needed.

Japan implemented for North Macedonia, which is also located in the Western Balkan region, and established the Macedonian Forest Fire Information System (MKFFIS), a system for responding to disasters, especially forest fires. The system has been evaluated highly by the government of North Macedonia in terms of strengthening its capacity for disaster risk reduction and mitigation. Based on this series of measures implemented by the Japanese government, including the technical cooperation project of Northern Macedonia, the governments of Kosovo and Montenegro have requested support from the Japanese government for the implementation of similar cooperation.

Montenegro is located in the west-central part of the Balkan Peninsula, and facing with the Adriatic Sea to the west. The climate is Mediterranean. Two-thirds of the land area is forming a karst topography. Montenegro is also located in a seismic zone and has earthquakes every year. Other natural disasters such as floods, snowstorms, windstorms, and forest fires are also observed every year.

Since fire suppression activities against forest fire events are not fully functioning, the government of Montenegro strongly desires the introduction of an early warning system so that it can respond to forest fires efficiently with limited manpower.

Storm damage accounts for about 10% of the total number of natural disaster cases in Montenegro. It is described in the National Strategy as a disaster that seriously affects critical infrastructure functions in coastal areas and maritime activities. In coastal areas, coastal forests were developed for the purpose of windbreaks during the period of the former Yugoslavia. Montenegro expects to reflect concrete measures to adapt to climate change, such as forest disaster risk reduction and coastal forest conservation, in domestic laws.

*Eco-DRR:Ecosystems have multiple functions. For example, forests have a number of functions besides timber production, such as soil and watershed conservation, recreation, and biodiversity.

To realize a sustainable and resilient environment and to reduce disaster risks, the sustainable management, conservation, and restoration of ecosystems - known as "Eco-DRR (Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction)" - is indispensable.

The Overall Goal

Protection and rescue system of Montenegro is strengthened with developed capacity of government agencies for protection against forest fires and other natural disasters.

Project Purpose

The capacity of government agencies for prevention and reduction of forest fires and some other natural disasters is strengthened with the introduction of National Forest Fire Information System (NFFIS) and Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction (Eco-DRR).

Output

1. NFFIS is developed, tested, and operationalized to monitor forest fires.
2. Eco-DRR to prevent damages from particular natural disasters is demonstrated.

Project Activities

Output 1 NFFIS is developed, tested, and operationalized to monitor forest fires.

1.1	Prepare the methodology of developing NFFIS and its definition/ conceptual design
1.2	Conduct survey on existing resources and identify gaps to develop NFFIS.
1.3	Prepare technical and functional specification documents of NFFIS.
1.4	Install the equipment and functions required for NFFIS.
1.5	Organize technical and other training for selected RPD staff for NFFIS operationalization.
1.6	Prepare a plan to incorporate NFFIS into the Rescue and Protection System of Montenegro with relevant institutions.
1.7	Carry out the above plan with the operationalized NFFIS.
1.8	NFFIS and its extended services are incorporated into relevant policies and plans.

Output 2 Eco-DRR to prevent damage from particular natural disasters is demonstrated.

2.1	Eco-DRR in the coastal landscapes is recognized and promoted.
2.1.0	Survey and collect documentation on forests on the coastal landscapes.
2.1.1	Conduct mapping of coastal zone land use and forests in Ulcinj.
2.1.2	Identify issues related to the coastal landscape.
2.1.3	Conduct public awareness raising and environmental education.
2.1.4	Organize Arbor Day or assist rehabilitation of the damaged coastal forests in Ulcinj.
2.1.5	Establish periodical monitoring and evaluation of the coastal land use and forests.
2.1.6	Incorporate Eco-DRR into policies/plans.
2.2	Erosion control in tributary torrents in Dinar Alps is conducted.
2.2.1	Identify the torrent for erosion control demonstration.
2.2.2	Conduct mapping and identify the issues.
2.2.3	Undertake torrent/hillside work design and demonstration implementation.
2.2.4	Conduct monitoring and evaluation.
2.2.5	Identify future investment strategies and plans on erosion control in the Dinar Alps.
2.2.6	Incorporate such elements in key national policies and plans.

Inputs

[Japanese side]
Dispatch of Expert
Provision of necessary equipment for the project activities
Training in Japan or third counties

Inputs

[Montenegro side]
Counterpart staff
Land, Building, facilities, equipment
Administrative and Local Costs