CERIDES / EUC is happy to announce the successful implementation of the BALANCE event: “Training on Emergency Logistics and Regional Approach to Host Nation Support Guidelines“.
The event was co-organised by CERIDES and the Ministry of Interior of Montenegro, and it was hosted by the Ministry of Interior of Montenegro on the 13th and 14th of June 2022 in Podgorica (Montenegro). Dr. Christos Dimopoulos, co-director of CERIDES, and Scientific Coordinator of the BALANCE project, acted as the moderator of the event. The event was introduced by Mr. Miodrag Besovic, Acting Director of the Rescue and Protection Directorate of the Ministry of Interior of Montenegro.
The main objective of the training was to increase understanding of emergency logistics and the Host Nation Support approach, exchange experiences / concepts between of relevant authorities / institutions, and strengthen the network of Civil Protection in the partners countries. The training included key presentations, exchange of practices / lessons learned, and group work in breakout sessions between participants on specific topics of consideration.
The BALANCE FSX project is funded by the Directorate-General (DG) for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations – (ECHO), through the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (Call: UCPM-2020-EX-AG). CERIDES acts as the Coordinating Organisation for this project. The BALANCE project aims is to improve Civil Protection Preparedness and Response capabilities of Montenegro in dealing with large disasters that require joint response coordination facilitated via the Union Civil Protection Mechanism. Western Balkans countries can be slowed down in joining the EU due to a huge earthquake because it will have significant economic, social and political impact to country and regional development. Thus, sharing capacities and resources, scientific support decision making, use of proven innovative tools, and joint training will lead to improvement of cross border cooperation procedures of the Mechanism. The BALANCE Consortium comprises of academic and civil protection organisations from the countries of Montenegro, Croatia, Albania, Cyprus, Greece, Bulgaria, Italy and Spain.
The CERIDES Team which is responsible for the management, coordination, and implementation of the BALANCE project, comprises of the following scientists:
Mr. Evangelos Katsaros (Project Manager)
Dr. Christos Dimopoulos (Scientific Coordinator)
Professor George Boustras (Scientific Advisor)