The participatory process of the SANITAS project continues, with the aim of strengthening cooperation between the two countries in order to improve emergency management and ensure a more effective response from healthcare and rescue services in the cross-border area.

On Thursday 18 June, the second workshop dedicated to local stakeholders was held at the X-Center in Nova Gorica. The meeting represented the natural continuation of the work launched on 4 June at the GO! Center in Gorizia, when participants analysed the main critical issues that could arise in emergency management within a cross-border context.

During the first meeting, discussions focused on two hypothetical but realistic scenarios: a heatwave and a flood. These scenarios were used as a basis for identifying operational, organisational and communication barriers that could emerge in crisis situations simultaneously affecting Italian and Slovenian territories.

The second workshop instead shifted attention from critical issues to possible solutions. Through a participatory methodology combining individual reflection, peer discussion and group work, participants developed operational proposals and identified priorities to focus on during the coming months.

The discussion made it possible to gather a broad wealth of professional experience and operational knowledge gained directly in the field. This contribution represents one of the most important elements of the SANITAS process: the development of the protocol does not stem from a purely theoretical approach, but incorporates the practical experience of those who work every day in emergency management, healthcare assistance, rescue operations and civil protection.

Among the priorities identified, the first was the need to define shared procedures among the various actors involved in emergency management, in order to ensure faster, more coordinated and more effective interventions, even in particularly complex situations. Participants also highlighted the importance of strengthening communication and coordination tools between organisations and operators, promoting a common language and more consistent operational methods.

Particular attention was also given to defining shared criteria for identifying intervention priorities, clarifying the roles and responsibilities of the different actors involved, and addressing organisational and regulatory obstacles that may make cross-border cooperation more difficult. The discussion also highlighted the importance of creating common reference points, both from a procedural and terminological perspective, to facilitate cooperation between services operating in different administrative and legislative contexts.

The workshop was attended by representatives from ASUGI, Civilna zaščita mestne občine Nova Gorica, CRI Gorizia, CRI Palmanova, Croce Rossa Italiana Monfalcone, GENG, NMP Ajdovščina, Občina Ajdovščina, SB Nova Gorica, Servizio Protezione Civile Comune di Gorizia, SORES FVG, VDC Nova Gorica, Zdravstveni dom Nova Gorica and Zdravstveni dom Tolmin.

The work carried out also helped to define more precisely the framework of the actors involved and the operational contexts that will need to be taken into consideration during the next phase of the project. The proposals collected will form the basis for discussion at the final round table planned for the second half of 2026, which will bring together stakeholders and relevant authorities with the aim of consolidating the contributions that have emerged and defining the content of the future cross-border primary healthcare assistance protocol between Italy and Slovenia.