OFIDIA2 (Operational FIre Danger preventIon plAtform 2) is a European project funded by the Interreg V-A Greece-Italy Programme and motivated by the challenging problem of preventing and fighting wildfires in the forests and rural areas of Epirus and Apulia, as a result of climate change and socio-economic factors. The project relies on the fruitful cooperation among scientific research, cutting-edge technologies, policymakers and Italian and Greek public agencies, with the objective of improving environmental safety and tackling wildfire risk. The maintenance of the natural environment is actually crucial due to the competitive advantages it offers in terms of biodiversity, tourist attraction, sustainable development and protection from natural catastrophes.
A network of technologies, infrastructures and scientific knowledge is at the heart of the project that aims to support environmental protection measures in the region of Puglia (Italy) and in Epirus (Greece) by setting up an operational big data infrastructure. The goal is to prevent wildfires and protect biodiversity by means of fire hazard forecasting and real-time monitoring, along with a dedicated wildfire control room and specific equipment. The project also focuses on environmental lifelong learning through activities that aim to raise awareness of forest and biodiversity protection.
The network offers real-time environmental monitoring to predict the risks of fire outbreak and the necessary adoption of control strategies. With the help of HD video cameras, wireless sensors networks and drones, the stakeholders can effectively patrol high-danger and remotely located areas in the two Regions. A new control room for the Regional Civil Protection in Bari is the headquarters of the necessary operational activities.
The project capitalizes on the results of the previous project (OFIDIA1, 2013-2015), that was funded during the 2007-2013 Programme Period, with the aim of implementing, updating and innovating the achievements as well as extending the monitoring areas. OFIDIA2 actually covers substantially larger areas in terms of patrolling and monitoring in both regions.
Programme: Interreg V-A “Greece-Italy” 2014-2020
Priority Axis 2: Integrated Environmental Management
Thematic Objective 6: Preserving and protecting the environment and promoting resource efficiency
Specific Objective 2.2: Improvement of joint management and governance plans for biodiversity of coastal and rural ecosystems, paying attention to the natural resources and protected areas, and development of environmental protection measures
Total Budget: 1.854.000 €
