On 24 September 2025, the first working meeting under the HEATSAFE Project – “A Holistic Framework for Environmental and Social Adaptation to Extreme Heat” was held at Blagoevgrad Municipality, organized by the Association of South-Western Municipalities (ASWM).
The meeting was organized to launch the implementation of the HEATSAFE project and to coordinate the efforts of the main institutional and stakeholder representatives in Bulgaria, particularly in the South-Western region.
ASWM brought together representatives of municipal, regional, and state authorities, academia, NGOs, and emergency services to provide expert input and discuss practical approaches for dealing with extreme heat events.
Participants included representatives of:
- Blagoevgrad Municipality
- Blagoevgrad Regional Administration
- Regional Inspectorates of Environment, Health and Water
- Universities and educational institutions
- Directorates of Fire Safety and Civil Protection
- NGOs, EU information centers, and the Bulgarian Red Cross
Key discussion topics included:
- identifying vulnerable groups in Blagoevgrad (elderly people, children, people with chronic diseases, outdoor workers, etc.);
- improving coordination between institutions and assessing available resources;
- establishing a municipal structure for heatwave response and increasing public awareness.
The HEATSAFE Project will be implemented over a period of 33 months in pilot areas across Bulgaria, Spain, Italy, Greece, and Albania, developing practical tools and solutions for climate adaptation and the mitigation of risks associated with extreme heat.
