Assessing social vulnerability is essential to understanding how communities may experience and recover from disruptive events. Such an impact assumes specific features when the communities are located in cross-border-regions (CBRs). This study evaluates social vulnerability related to seismic hazard in the CBR shared by Albania, Greece, and North Macedonia, an area exposed to high seismic hazard due to its location along active tectonic structures of the Hellenic and Balkan regions. To do so, the Social Vulnerability Index (SoVI) framework is applied and adapted to the features of CBRs.The indicators selected for the SoVI assessment capture key dimensions of vulnerability, including demographic structure, socio-economic conditions, institutional performance, and service availability. To account for heterogeneity in the scale of data availability and differences in indicator importance, two scenarios are analysed using alternative weighting schemes for each indicator. The results reveal a strong influence of methodological choices on social vulnerability outcomes, as well as the need to address CBR social vulnerability in an integrated manner. The spatial variability of SoVI across and within national borders highlights key differences in how vulnerability manifests across distinct administrative and socio-economic contexts. In addition, integrating SoVI with seismic hazard using a simplified social risk matrix approach enables the identification of priority areas for targeted mitigation measures, emergency planning, and resilience-oriented policy interventions. Overall, the findings emphasise the importance of harmonised methodologies and integrated indicator systems in capturing the differentiated nature of social vulnerability in complex cross-border environments and its impact on the seismic social risk.

The EMERGE project initiative aims to enhance regional disaster management by developing scenario-based and near real-time seismic and landslide risk evaluations. This will enable rapid needs assessments to guide resource allocation at national and regional levels. Building on the achievements of the UCPM CRISIS project, EMERGE seeks to expand CRISIS platform into a tool for rapid needs assessment—a crucial element of civil protection efforts. The platform to be developed will assist first responders by improving response speed, prioritization, and coordination of resources. EMERGE aligns with Priority 1 of the KAPP-PREV 2024 Call, focusing on risk assessments, anticipation, and planning. The project is structured into four key areas: (1) defining exposure, resources, and capacities; (2) developing a module for regional multi-hazard real-time scenarios; (3) conducting rapid multi-risk assessments; and (4) creating a web-based platform for needs planning. EMERGE supports all five 2023 Union Disaster Resilience Goals: anticipate, prepare, alert, respond, and secure. It builds on insights from previous EU UCPM projects, including INFRANAT, CRISIS, and ISRA, leveraging their findings to create a robust and practical framework for disaster management.

The objective of this paper is to propose a harmonized methodology for earthquake-induced landslide hazard and risk assessment at a regional scale, which can be applied to regions where differences and limitations of data exist, for example, cross-border regions. In terms of hazard, the proposed framework consists of several steps, starting from landslide susceptibility mapping and creation of critical acceleration maps, towards defining landslide hazard maps of earthquake-induced landslides, represented by expected permanent ground deformation (PGD) for different earthquake scenarios. In terms of risk, a unique methodology, including approaches for both basic services—structures (i.e. hospitals and schools) and critical infrastructures (i.e., bridges)—is implemented. The proposed framework is applied at a regional scale to the cross-border region of three countries, North Macedonia, Albania, and Greece, for a defined exposure model consisting a total number of 191 school buildings (57 in N. Macedonia, 19 in Greece, and 115 in Albania), 46 health care structures (16 in N. Macedonia, 17 in Greece, and 13 in Albania), and 372 bridges (165 in N. Macedonia, 16 in Greece, and 191 in Albania). The results of the hazard and risk assessment show that the proposed framework is valuable, fast, and relatively easy to implement and gives a good overview of the hazardous area and defined risk of the analyzed structures, especially where only limited geomorphological, geological, and seismological datasets along with exposure database exist at a regional scale. Obtained data have been included in a web-based platform designed to collect, organize, and visualize the target area including the landslide risk scenarios related to the exposure dataset considered. The presented research was performed in the framework of the project named CRISIS (“Comprehensive RISk assessment of basic services and transport InfraStructure”) supported by the Union Civil Protection Mechanism and can be applied to other transboundary regions of interest with certain limitations, thus contributing towards improved long-term risk mitigation strategies.

QuakeSafe is a transformative initiative, supported by UNESCO and funded by Huawei, aimed at deepening students' understanding of earthquake engineering and its implications for safety and sustainability through an innovative educational model. Implemented by the Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Engineering Seismology (UKIM IZIIS), this project utilizes specialized expertise to create engaging and impactful learning experiences. In response to the urgent need for proactive strategies in seismically active regions, QuakeSafe actively engages high school students through a blend of interactive workshops, hands-on experiments and immersive virtual reality (VR) simulations. These activities, conducted as pilot case studies in six selected schools, are structured within an inquiry-based, problem-solving learning environment that introduces the principles of seismic science and engineering. The use of digital tools and VR experiences provides students with practical understanding into the complexities of earthquake phenomena, aiming to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills grounded in scientific knowledge. This paper presents the methodology and outcomes of the QuakeSafe project, emphasizing its effectiveness in enhancing students' understanding of seismic risks while fostering interest in STEM disciplines. Additionally, it discusses the strategic collaborations with educational institutions and local authorities that have supported the project’s successful implementation. The study provides an analysis of pre- and post-assessment surveys measuring the project's influence on students’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions regarding earthquake safety and STEM engagement. By integrating digital content into a broader STEM educational knowledge hub, QuakeSafe aspires to create a replicable model for other institutions to strengthen disaster preparedness education. The success of the project is reinforced by partnerships and external support, highlighting the significant impact of collaborative efforts in building safer and more resilient communities.

For the past few decades, during each disastrous earthquake, severe damage and poor seismic performance of masonry infilled RC frames, including many newly designed ones, have been reported extensively. Inherent problems related to analysis and design methods for tight-fit infilled frame structures have not yet been solved and are recognized as being far from satisfactory in terms of completeness and reliability. The primary objective of this research was to propose and test an innovative method that can effectively mitigate undesirable interaction damage to masonry infilled RC frame structures. This proposed technical solution consists of connection of the infill panel to the bounding columns with steel reinforcement connections deployed in mortar layers and anchored to the columns. This is practical, cheap and easy to implement without any specific technology, which is especially important for developing countries. A three story, two bay RC building model with the proposed connection implemented on the infill walls was designed and tested on the shake table at IZIIS in Skopje, N. Macedonia. The test results and design guidelines/recommendations from the proposed research are also expected to benefit the infrastructural development in other countries threatened by earthquakes, preferably in the Balkan and the Mediterranean region.

The paper presents the outcomes of a unified model, which draws on Khazai et al. (2015), to collect and interpret data related to prevention, preparedness, and response to multi-hazard disasters, with a specific focus on earthquakes and pandemics. The model calculates three urban risk indicators for two case studies: the aftermath of the 2020 earthquake in Zagreb and the 2019 earthquake in Tirana. Its objective is to identify weaknesses in urban resilience and provide guidance for decision-making in disaster risk management. This research is a part of the "Learn to Be Resilient (L2BR)" project, funded by the EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (101017950 - L2BR - UCPM-2020- KN-AG) with primary aim to strengthen the Union Civil Protection Knowledge Network as a platform for sharing expertise and knowledge in civil protection and disaster risk management. It specifically targeted Southeast Europe, an earthquake-prone region, and prioritized capacity building, intersectoral cooperation, and the enhancement of prevention and preparedness measures. Recent devastating earthquakes worldwide have underscored the importance of effective disaster management, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The case studies on earthquakes in Tirana, Albania, and Zagreb, Croatia, provided valuable data for the research, leading to recommendations for improving operational procedures, particularly in the context of pandemics. The ultimate goal was to elevate disaster and emergency management, saving lives, increasing resilience, and fostering disaster prevention in the region.

CRISIS project aims at improving the disaster and emergency management through building a harmonized and efficient system for risk assessment of basic services and transport infrastructure in the targeted cross-border region. The main project activities include: (1) Cross-border multi hazard assessment; (2) Needs assessment; (3) Cross- border multi-risk assessment; and (4) Development of cross-border web base platform for risk assessment and management. The main stakeholder of the project is the civil protection and disaster management national authorities in the cross-border region where more than 500.000 inhabitants live, as well as all academic partner institutions that will share the knowledge and strengthen the mutual cooperation.

Increasing energy efficiency of final energy consumption is a very actual and important topic, in parallel with activities and measures worldwide targeting an increased share of renewable energy sources. Despite recent expansion in building construction, old buildings characterized by high energy consumption still represent a great majority of both residential and public building stock in many countries in the Balkan region. Located in seismic-prone countries, such as the Republic of North Macedonia, these old buildings are also characterized by the high risk of partial or complete destruction during earthquakes. This imposes the need for mandatory screening at the outset of an energy efficiency program, which will categorize buildings according to seismic risk and thus determine which buildings are suitable for energy efficiency investments. This paper presents how the methodology for high-level seismic screening, originally proposed in the World Bank's Country Report (North Macedonia), is extended and customized by the Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Engineering Seismology, IZIIS, Skopje to correspond to the country specificities, i.e., to be based on overall knowledge on aseismic design and construction practice in the country, detailed on-site inspection of each particular building, and to be carried out by structural engineers with appropriate knowledge and experience in earthquake engineering. The high-level seismic screening was performed in the Republic of North Macedonia, applying this extended and customized methodology, for a total number of 27 medical facilities, dominantly healthcare centers, and 50 municipality buildings (schools, kindergartens, and municipal buildings).

The main objective of CRISIS is to provide a qualitative basis for the development of a collaborative approach to prevention and preparedness for disaster risks and management in cross-border countries located in the Western Balkan Region, which is populated with more than half a million inhabitants. The project activities comprise of: (1) seismic and landslide hazard cross-border harmonization and mapping; (2) needs assessment, bottleneck analyses and review of EU and regional legislative and research related to risk assessment and disaster management; (3) cross-border risk assessment of basic service and transport infrastructure based on the development of a harmonized exposure model that encounters all the relevant risk assets and (4) development of a geo-referenced web-based platform (WBP) that contains exposure database and enables rapid risk information and prediction of possible losses and disruption of critical functions. This platform has modular architecture, with possibility to feature multi-hazards and to be implement in the broader region. The results of CRISIS project are twofold: (1) enhanced cross-border cooperation and coordination in disaster risk management based on developed models and tools and (2) raising public awareness and preparedness for disasters. The achievement of the results will impact the conditions under which, currently, decision-makers can obtain prompt risk information and predict possible losses to make an allocation of resources or establish prioritization actions. The project has potential to serve as pilot project and to enable transferability of the results and implementation of the developed platform outside of the project community.

This paper presents detail analysis of the stability and safety of the existing structural system of the Telecommunication Center facility in Skopje, to define the possibilities and conditions to meet the technical standard Telecommunication Industry Association TIA-942-A, which is requirement for the eventual change of the building function.Considering that it is a building of the high importance in terms of its function, built more than fifty years ago, it was necessary to examine the need for additional structural strengthening and initial cost estimation.The necessity of structural interventions to meet the required technical standards were defined based on (i) input data from limited in situ technical investigations, (ii) assessment of the seismic potential of the site and (iii) analysis of the load-bearing structure for the anticipated imposed loads while simultaneously providing the required structural stability and safety for gravity and earthquake actions according to the existing seismic code in North Macedonia.Findings from the performed analysis enforce the need for both global and local structural strengthening.

In recent years, the improvement of disaster and emergency management through building a harmonized and efficient system for risk assessment of structures in the cross-border region (CBR) has become increasingly popular. Harmonization of the risk exposure model for cross border regions is first and most important step for assessment of risk in the region. Different countries, even neighboring ones, have different frameworks in which buildings for basic services and transport infrastructures are designed, built and maintained. Hence, they involve different institutions and employ different ways of gathering information on existing structures within their networks. Each of them may use different methods and systems for keeping records on their assets. Therefore, there is no readily available inventory which covers the entire stock of bridges and buildings for basic services in any of the CRISIS adjacent partner countries. The harmonized regional risk exposure model is result of the activities carried out within one of the working packages of two-year EU-funded project CRISIS (Comprehensive RISk assessment of basic services and transport InfraStructure). In this paper harmonized regional risk exposure model for the basic services (schools and hospitals) and transport infrastructure (bridges) is shown. Herein presented are the realized activities that enabled developing a harmonized cross-border regional risk exposure model, which encompasses all relevant assets related to the basic services and transport infrastructure. A regional exposure database has been created based on contemporary practice and research compatible with the GEM Exposure Database (https://storage.globalquakemodel.org/what/physical-integrated-risk/exposure-database/). This database is specific enough to conduct numerical analysis and develop or select proper vulnerability functions.

The impact of present building code requirements for seismic design of new buildings can readily be acknowledged, however applying regulation to existing buildings is an area less well defined. Presently, there is a diverse list of existing code references which could be interpreted to require seismic upgrades of existing structures. Unfortunately, these references do not provide a clear path toward addressing the hazards, evaluation and retrofitting of existing buildings. And when it comes to existing old buildings and monuments, constructed with low or no seismic consideration, the topic becomes much more complex and challenging. The problem of earthquake protection of historic buildings and monuments is radically different from that of other existing structures, due to the priority given to preservation of aesthetic, architectonic and historic values instead of keeping the structure operational. In providing the protection of these structures in a manner that requires the least intervention and the greatest care to preserve authenticity, the experts are permanently challenged by the fast development and the improved performance of new materials and techniques. This paper presents the integrated multidisciplinary approach to seismic protection of important structures that has been developed by the Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Engineering Seismology, IZIIS, Skopje, and implemented in the process of seismic upgrading or reconstruction of historic buildings and monuments in the country and beyond.

This paper aims to describe the CRISIS web-based platform (WBP) in all its parts and functionalities. The platform is the main result of the two-year EU-funded project CRISIS (Comprehensive RISk assessment of basic services and transport InfraStructure). It has been developed by EUCENTRE (European Centre for Training and Research in Earthquake Engineering) using the most up-to-date web programming frameworks and technologies. The CRISIS WBP is a user-friendly tool intended to support disaster and emergency management authorities in case of earthquakes and/or seismo-induced landslides in the cross-border region of Albania, North Macedonia, and Greece. It has been designed to collect, organise, and visualise for the project target area: i) the exposure data of educational facilities, health facilities, and bridges; ii) the seismic and landslide hazard data; iii) the earthquake damage scenarios (calculated both for selected historical events and in real-time); and iv) the landslide risk scenarios related to the considered exposure dataset. The tool also allows the identification of alternative routes to the nearest available safe facilities, if the main one cannot be used due to damage to the transport infrastructure following a seismic event. This feature can be particularly useful for rescuers who have to intervene promptly after damaging earthquakes. In addition to supporting emergency management, the CRISIS platform can also be used to identify the most vulnerable assets and prioritise actions to increase the resilience of the project target area. As a case study, two earthquakes that affected the cities of Ohrid and Valandovo in 1911 and 1931, respectively, have been simulated. The results of these simulations, also in terms of emergency management (e.g., how to get to the nearest hospitals in the cross-border areas), are presented in detail hereinafter.

Republic of North Macedonia is a seismic prone country with a long tradition and positive experience in the field of seismic design of new and strengthening of the existing buildings up to pre-defined levels of seismic protection. The principal seismic design philosophy which is stipulated in the regulations is based on protection of human lives against strong earthquakes and partially on controlled damage due to the so called frequent earthquakes. The current construction practice generally target only one of the seven basic work requirements for construction works defined in Construction Products Regulation (CPR, 2011) i.e. mechanical resistance and stability. Starting from 2013, when the first national regulation for energy performance of the building was issued, there are some positive initiatives/examples at national and local scale. These initiatives encompassed building capacities in construction sector in order to provide competent and qualified national workforce, necessary for achievement of national energy efficiency targets; launching the energy efficiency programs for public buildings at municipality level (pilot-project), research experimental program for developing innovative technology for earthquake resistant and energy efficiency buildings, etc. However, till today there is no integrated methodology which will target simultaneously earthquake resistance and eco-efficiency of the existing building stock in the country.

At 03:56 local time on November 26, 2019, an earthquake with a Mw = 6.4 struck western part of Albania. The duration of the tremor lasted less than 50 s and was felt largely also in Albania's capital Tirana, and in places as far away more than 300 km northeast of the epicenter. It caused damage to many public and residential buildings in districts of Durres, Tirana, Lezha, Shkodra, Diver, Berat and surrounding areas. This paper describes rapid visual assessment of the damaged buildings (169 in total) in affected areas by IZIIS teams’ inspection of damaged buildings. Severe damages were identified in structural and non-structural elements as a result of inconsistent application of recent knowledge in design, construction and quality control of earthquake resistant structures. Structural errors in design and construction as well as inappropriate quality of built-in materials have been observed. Such results from the rapid damage assessment leads to the necessity of taking specific measures as detailed engineering inspection of vital structures as a basis of definition corresponding technical solutions for repair and strengthening with aim of restoring their operational mode. Last but not least, the biggest effect of earthquake damage was observed in non-structural elements which made the structures not-usable for citizens of the earthquake region.

The unexpected misbehavior of buildings during the recent frequent earthquakes in Mediterranean region resulted in significant loss of human lives, injuries and economic losses due to the poor capacity of their structural systems and built-in materials to sustain seismic load.Among the lessons learned from recent earthquake in southeastern Europe is that identifying existing buildings' vulnerability and thus reconsidering and improving their seismic safety, should become one of the top priorities for both, state and local government in seismic prone regions.

Following the M=6.4 earthquake that hit Durres in Albania on 26.11.2019, at the request of the Government of the Republic of Albania to the Government of R.N. Macedonia, in coordination with the deputy Prime Minister of the Government of R. N. Macedonia and the Director of the Bureau for Forensic Expertise of the R. N. Macedonia as operational coordinator, teams of experts were established for assistance and support to the local teams in rapid assessment on the structural safety of damaged buildings in the most affected areas.The Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Engineering Seismology -IZIIS (Ss.Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje) was leading the Macedonian mission with four teams composed of 11 experts.Most of the structures that were the subject of inspection were residential, mainly constructed as reinforced concrete structure and flat-slab systems prior the year 2000.Most of these structures suffered major nonstructural damage with negligible structural damages and extensive repairable structural damages.The cause of incurred damages was inconsistent application of recent knowledge in design, construction, and control of earthquake resistant structures.In order to define corresponding technical solutions for repair and strengthening, especially for the vital structures, it is necessary to take additional measures as detailed engineering inspection and science-based analysis.

The Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission is engaged in activities supporting the implementation, further development and promotion of European policies and standards for sustainable construction.Such activities include the Eurocodes (EN 1990 -EN 1999), the European Standards providing common rules for the design of buildings and other construction works to check their strength and stability.Among the countries that have shown strong commitment and progress in the adoption of the Eurocodes are the non-EU Balkan countries.In the period 2013-2016, the JRC, within the Enlargement and Integration (E&I) Action, has organized specialized dissemination and training events to support the adoption and implementation of the Eurocodes in the region.A roadmap for continuing the activities was elaborated in 2016 anticipating technical assistance at implementation, practical use and maintenance level.A workshop in Tirana (2018) focused on the implementation level in the National Regulatory Framework (NRF).It was shown that significant progress has been achieved by all non-EU countries in the Balkan region in the adoption of the Eurocodes since 2016.However, there was still lack of sufficient coordination between the National Authorities and the National Standardization Bodies on the implementation of the Eurocodes.Due to the high seismicity of the Balkan region, most non-EU countries in the region are close to, or are intending to, formally adopt EN 1998 ("Eurocode 8: Design of structures for earthquake resistance").JRC plans to provide technical assistance for the Eurocode 8 implementation by the practitioners, addressing the seismic design of concrete buildings through a Eurocodes Balkan Summer School.The paper provides an overview of the JRC Eurocodes training activities held and planned for the Balkan region, along with an update on the Eurocodes implementation status.

During the past earthquakes, we have witnessed extensive structural damage on modern highrise buildings.The use of flat-slab or partially flat-slab system, inadequate seismic dilatation joints, occurrence of plastic hinges in columns, short columns mechanism, building additional storeys on already designed/constructed structures, inadequate transverse reinforcement in columns and beams and so on.The solution to the problem is in implementing the most recent knowledge in analysis, design and construction.The Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Engineering Seismology has established a methodology to improve the current practice procedures, enabling analysis and design of robust and economical reinforced concrete structures with controlled and conducted ductile behaviour of elements and systems in general, up to ultimate limit states of the strength and deformability.The process of designing stable and economic structures is extremely complex, due to the necessary harmonization of a series of parameters related to the construction on one hand and its response to actual earthquakes on the other.The methodology and the dynamic response of real reinforced concrete buildings is presented here, through block diagrams and results from analysed examples.The reinforced concrete structures are designed with controlled and dictated ductile behaviour of the structural elements and the structure as a whole, for gravity/static loads and also for seismic/dynamic impacts that are expected for the defined location.