PRIORITY 1 - Transition to a low carbon economy
The FIREDEFEND – Fire Detection and Enhanced Fire Emergency Network for Waste Disposal project aims to strengthen climate resilience and safety in waste disposal sites across the Greece–North Macedonia border region by integrating advanced fire detection systems into broader climate adaptation and environmental protection strategies. With a total budget of €1.29 million (80% co-financed by the EU), it introduces an innovative cross-border framework to prevent and manage landfill fires, protecting both local communities and ecosystems.
Activities are implemented in the Regional Units of Pella and Kilkis in Greece, and in the Municipality of Bosilovo within the South-East Planning Region of North Macedonia. In Greece, pilot systems will be installed in three organized landfills—Edessa, Giannitsa, and Kilkis—enhancing fire prevention and emergency readiness in well-managed waste facilities. In North Macedonia, the project focuses on uncontrolled dumpsites in Bosilovo, an area prone to fire hazards, extending protection to nearby municipalities such as Strumica, Vasilevo, Novo Selo and parts of Radovish.
The Regional Association of Solid Waste Management Agencies of Central Macedonia (FODSA) acts as Lead Beneficiary, responsible for project coordination, technical implementation, and procurement of fire detection systems. It manages the pilot installations in Greece, integrating thermographic and optical cameras with monitoring tools to ensure early fire warning and rapid response. The Centre for Development of the South-East Planning Region (CDSEPR) in North Macedonia leads the cross-border knowledge exchange, environmental mapping of unmanaged dumpsites, and awareness campaigns. It also oversees the installation of the fire detection system in Bosilovo and coordinates training and communication actions.
The project’s tangible outputs include:
– Installation of four fire detection systems (three in Greece and one in North Macedonia) equipped with thermographic and optical sensors, automatic alerts and control interfaces.
– Mapping and risk analysis of unmanaged landfills in the South-East Planning Region.
– Development of a joint action plan for fire prevention and emergency response in waste disposal sites.
– Capacity-building and know-how transfer activities for local authorities, landfill operators and civil protection units.
– Joint awareness events and communication campaigns, including public workshops, media outreach and participation in major exhibitions such as BEYOND and Forward Green in Thessaloniki.
– A cross-border pilot assessment report and sustainability strategy ensuring long-term use and maintenance of the installed systems.
FIREDEFEND directly benefits waste management authorities, landfill operators, fire and civil protection units, and local municipalities. Indirectly, it serves local residents and businesses by reducing the risk of toxic fires, improving air quality, and safeguarding nearby agricultural and forested areas.
The intervention will protect an area of over 1,400 km² and benefit more than 50,000 inhabitants in the wider cross-border region through improved environmental safety and reduced pollution.
Lead Beneficiary
Project Beneficiaries