The Mediterranean region is facing an alarming rise in the frequency and severity of wildfires, threatening ecosystems, communities, and livelihoods. In response, BEYOND Centre of Earth Observation Research and Satellite Remote Sensing (BEYOND/NOA) is proud to coordinate the MedFireWise Project—a new, ambitious 36-month project under the Interreg NEXT MED programme aimed at advancing wildfire risk management across the Mediterranean basin.
Launched on June 18, 2025, and co-funded by the European Union, the MedFireWise Project promotes Nature-based Solutions (NbS)—namely prescribed burning and silvopasture—as sustainable and scientifically supported practices to mitigate wildfire risk and strengthen ecosystem resilience.
A Smarter Approach to Wildfire Risk
The MedFireWise Project focuses on proactive, ecosystem-based strategies. By harnessing ecological processes and traditional land practices, the project will apply prescribed burning to reduce accumulated vegetation and silvopasture to integrate grazing into forest landscapes—both helping limit the spread and intensity of fires.
These approaches will be piloted in seven Mediterranean regions, where their environmental, social, and economic benefits will be evaluated and demonstrated.
BEYOND/NOA’s Role in the Project and the expected results
BEYOND Centre will serve as the project coordinator, leading WP1 and WP2. NOA will also oversee the development of seasonal fire prediction tools (O3.3), scenario-based fire-spread activities (O4.1 and O4.3), and the organisation of awareness-raising and transferability activities (O5.1 and O5.2)
With a dedicated budget of €437,000, BEYOND/NOA will bring its expertise in Earth Observation and risk assessment to support the implementation of nature-based wildfire mitigation strategies.
Key Outputs
- WP3: Needs assessment, regulatory review, NbS indicator framework, and a seasonal wildfire risk tool
- WP4: Design and implementation of cross-regional campaigns and preparatory forestry works
- WP5: Awareness campaigns in wildfire-prone communities and strategies for knowledge transfer to other regions
A Cross-Med Collaboration for Climate Resilience
By supporting innovation in nature-based wildfire risk management, the MedFireWise Project contributes to the broader goal of climate change adaptation and disaster resilience, aligned with the objectives of the Interreg NEXT MED Programme.
Follow the MedFireWise Project Social Media pages for updates on project activities, regional pilots, and stakeholder events:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/medfirewise-project/?viewAsMember=true
🟦 Participating entities
· National Observatory of Athens/ BEYOND Centre
· Pau Costa Foundation
· D.R.E.Am. Italia
· Edirne Forest Management Directorate
· National Research Institute for Rural Engineering, Water, and Forestry
· Algerian Space Agency
· University of Balamand
🔗 Funded by
Interreg NEXT MED | Co-funded by the European Union