Be Ready Multiplier Event in Niš Highlights Solutions for More Climate-Resilient Cities

On May 20, 2026, the multiplier event of the “Be Ready – UrBan hEat islands REsilience, prepAreDness and mitigation strategY” project took place at the European House in Niš, Serbia. The event gathered representatives of local authorities, research institutions, civil society organizations, public companies, and international partners to present the project’s achievements, share experiences from pilot activities, and discuss future steps toward more climate-resilient urban environments.

The event focused on the growing challenge of Urban Heat Islands (UHI) and the innovative approaches developed within Be Ready to help cities across the Danube Region better understand, prepare for, and mitigate the impacts of extreme heat. Through cooperation between 19 project partners and 9 associated partners from 12 countries, the project created a strong platform for knowledge exchange and joint climate adaptation solutions.

During the event, representatives of the City of Niš presented the main project outcomes, including a standardized methodology for assessing UHI risks, tools for evaluating urban vulnerability and adaptive capacity, and practical solutions tested across pilot cities. A key highlight was the concept of “urban acupuncture” — small-scale, targeted interventions using green, blue, and white solutions to cool cities and improve the quality of urban spaces.

Special attention was given to the pilot activities implemented in Niš. Through collaboration between the local administration, the Science and Technology Park Niš, academic partners, citizens, and businesses, several activities were carried out to support greener and more resilient urban areas. Green measures implemented at King Milan Square and near the Puppet Theater demonstrated how increased vegetation, shade, and nature-based solutions can help reduce heat stress and create more comfortable public spaces.

Participants were also introduced to digital solutions developed through the project, including the GreenNis.com platform and the Eco Hunter application, which encourage citizens to actively participate in mapping green areas, proposing new locations for planting, and supporting environmental monitoring.

The discussions highlighted the importance of long-term planning, cooperation between different sectors, and the replication of successful solutions in other cities. Among the key achievements of Be Ready are the Joint Strategic Framework, UHI risk assessment methodology, climate preparedness tools, and a collection of good practices that can support cities throughout the Danube Region.

The multiplier event concluded with a shared message that the Be Ready project has successfully connected science, local governance, and community participation, creating a strong foundation for more sustainable, resilient, and climate-adapted cities in the future.