News

✨ Successful Completion of the Study Visit in Italy 

From September 9th to 11th, 2025, an international study visit took place in Italy as part of the REBUILD – Capacity Building Program for Sustainable Reconstruction. The event brought together partners from Italy, Austria, Poland, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine, representing vocational training institutions, universities, construction professionals, and organizations involved in post-crisis recovery.

🏗️ What We Visited

Over the course of three days, participants explored key sites involved in sustainable reconstruction and heritage preservation:

- Bologna – Visits to the Basilica of St. Francis and the Church of St. Peter, as well as a presentation of the transformation of the former INPS building on Via Gramsci into modern student housing.

- Ravenna – Tour of the new Environmental Sciences complex at the University of Bologna’s Ravenna Campus, showcasing innovative architecture and sustainable design.

- Spoleto & Preci – Field visits to earthquake-affected areas, including the Church of St. Mary of Constantinople and the monastic complex of St. Eutizio, where structural reinforcement and restoration efforts were discussed.

🤝 Exchange & Collaboration

The visit offered a unique opportunity for hands-on learning and international exchange. Participants engaged with local architects, engineers, and restoration experts, gaining insights into practical reconstruction strategies and the challenges of preserving cultural heritage in post-disaster contexts.

💬 Strengthening Skills for the Future

The REBUILD program empowers vocational learners and professionals with the tools and knowledge needed to contribute to resilient, sustainable rebuilding efforts. This study visit was a powerful example of how cross-border collaboration and education can drive meaningful change in communities recovering from crisis. 

💬 Looking Ahead

This was the first of three study visits planned within the REBUILD project. The next study visit will take place in Moldova (March 2026) and Georgia (June 2026), further strengthening international collaboration and skills development for sustainable reconstruction. 

REBUILD – Voices from the April Study Visit (Full Video Now Available)

During the last coordination meeting on June 9, 2025, REBUILD partners had the opportunity to preview a draft version of the video report from the study visit held on April 11, 2025.

Today, we are happy to share the final, complete version of this powerful video.

Although the visit was held online, it brought together partners from Italy, Poland, and Austria, alongside institutions from Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine, to:

✔️ Present local needs
✔️ Share experiences
✔️ Strengthen international cooperation

The video includes moving footage from Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia – showing everyday life, post-conflict destruction, and the challenges these countries face daily. Despite the virtual format, the study visit fostered real connection and laid the groundwork for future collaboration.

The REBUILD project supports the transfer of EU knowledge and good practices to non-EU Erasmus+ countries, focusing on digital transition and post-crisis resilience.

👉 Watch the full video below:

1st Coordination Meeting – Summary

On June 9th, 2025, the first project coordination meeting was held to review progress and plan upcoming activities.

During the meeting, IIPLE, as the Project Coordinator, provided a concise overview of the project’s current status, highlighting completed activities and deliverables, as well as outlining upcoming tasks.

Partners from the University of Bologna presented recent advances in analyses related to the impact of catastrophic events and detailed the WP2 timeline. Giorgia Predari summarized ongoing work and deadlines for WP2, “Defining and Assessing the Impact of Catastrophic Events,” while Lorenzo Stefanini and Mathieu D’Hotel offered an overview of studies and analyses concerning regulations on prevention, response, financial recovery, and post-disaster phases.

Lubomira Trojan from WSB University reviewed communication efforts to date and reminded partners of the approaching deadline for reporting these activities.

Riccardo Cariani from ECECE outlined the upcoming WP3 activities scheduled to begin in July 2025, sharing the draft agenda for the September study visit, along with logistical details and budget allocations for each partner.

Financial coordinators from IIPLE provided guidance on financial reporting for the first project semester.

The next coordination meeting is planned for July 14th, 2025.

Following the event, a comprehensive report on the virtual study visit was published on April 30, 2025. The report offers in-depth insights into partner activities, presentations, and key lessons learned.

Key takeaway:
Reconstruction is about more than technology and materials—it’s about people, knowledge, partnerships, and education working together to build resilient communities prepared for future challenges.

🌍 Moldova – a beautiful country facing growing climate and natural challenges! 

Republic of Moldova Faces Major Climate, Hydrogeological, and Seismic Risks

From heatwaves and droughts to floods, landslides, and earthquakes, these hazards affect thousands of people and cause serious damage to infrastructure.
This information was shared during an online study visit on April 11, 2025, based on data collected on February 14, 2025.

🌡️ Extreme Weather

• Heatwaves reaching up to 40°C damage crops and threaten public health.

• Droughts reduce harvests by up to 50%.

• Floods, such as the Cotul Morii event in 2010, forced the relocation of entire villages.

• Hailstorms and frost continue to cause severe agricultural losses.
  
  

🌍 Landslides and Soil Erosion

• Landslides have destroyed homes and roads (e.g., Leușeni 1998, Nemțeni 2010).

• The economic losses amount to millions of US dollars.

• New laws have been introduced to better manage these risks.
  
  

🌋 Seismic Risks

• Moldova is affected by earthquakes originating in Romania’s Vrancea region.

• The 1940 earthquake (magnitude 7.4) caused significant casualties and destruction.

• Updated building codes aim to minimize the impact of future earthquakes.
  
  

🔥 Wildfires

• In 2022, more than 6,000 vegetation fires affected vast areas of land.
  
  

⚠️ Conclusion
These overlapping risks create complex challenges, but national authorities and international partners are strengthening early warning systems and improving disaster risk management across the country.

🌍 Georgia at the Crossroads of Nature’s Fury and Resilience

On February 14, 2025, as part of Work Package 2 and under the coordination of UNIBO, our new Guidelines T2.1 – “Defining and Assessing the Impact of Catastrophic Events” were published. These guidelines provide an in-depth analysis of Georgia’s dynamic environment — its unique geography, climatic variability, and hydrogeological challenges that shape the country’s risk landscape.

What do they include?
🔹 Diverse geographies and climates
🔹 Extreme weather and water-related disasters
🔹 Hydrogeological instability
🔹 Consequences of natural disasters
🔹 Response actions and future plans

Our guidelines not only review past events — they also offer a clear path forward. By integrating comprehensive environmental data, international and national standards (including EIA and SEA), and a strong emergency response system (with tools such as the 112 public warning system), Georgia is building a safer and more resilient future.

Why it matters:
The diverse natural challenges faced by Georgia highlight the urgent need for strategic disaster risk reduction. As climate change intensifies these events, our work is more important than ever to protect the lives, culture, and future of this vibrant nation.

Join the REBUILD Virtual Study Visit!

 Date: 11th  of April 2025

 Time: 9:00 - 13:15 CET

 Location: Online

We are delighted to invite you to the first public event of the EU-funded REBUILD project! This Virtual Study Visit will bring together experts, institutions, and stakeholders from Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine to discuss sustainable reconstruction efforts in regions affected by war and natural disasters.

Why attend?

• Gain insights into the impact of catastrophic events and their implications for reconstruction.

• Learn about reconstruction procedures and policies in target countries.

• Explore best practices and innovative solutions for a greener and more resilient future.

• Engage with experts and institutions working towards sustainable rebuilding efforts.

The REBUILD project strengthens collaboration between the EU and Eastern Partnership countries, supporting vocational education and training (VET) and promoting skills for the green and digital transition in alignment with the EU Green Deal and Digital Decade goals.

How to join?

Secure your spot by registering before April 9, 2025! Click the link below and be part of the conversation.

Register Here

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Kick-off Meeting of the ReBuild Project – Partners Begin Their Collaboration!

The ReBuild project has been officially launched. During the January inaugural meeting, Partners had the opportunity to get to know each other better, exchange experiences and discuss a shared vision for the project. The discussion focused on the project's goals, timeline, and the challenges associated with transferring knowledge. Partners also had the chance to present their organizations and share their plans for realization of specific WPs. The meeting served as a platform for fostering collaboration among all involved Partners. The coming months will bring intensive work on needs analysis, training programs, and the implementation of innovative solutions.

DISCLAIMER: Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.