Smart regions - Atlantic regions strengthen cooperation to better manage geological risks
Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, including heavy rainfall that can trigger landslides and erosion. Atlantic regions, including the Canary Islands, are particularly exposed to these risks.
The AGEO – Atlantic Geohazard Risk Management Platform supports cooperation between authorities, scientists, emergency services and citizens to improve monitoring and response capacity.
Managing risks through cooperation and technology
On the island of Gran Canaria, landslides occur frequently, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall. Local authorities are using AGEO tools to improve preparedness and response.
For example, geological risk considerations have been integrated into the Municipal Emergency Plan of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, allowing authorities to alert citizens in real time and enabling residents to report incidents.
The project also promotes the use of satellite data from the Copernicus programme, combined with citizen observations, to update risk maps and improve understanding of geological hazards.
Citizen participation and awareness
AGEO also promotes citizen science approaches, encouraging residents to report landslides through geolocated photos or alerts. This contributes to improving data collection and strengthening cooperation between local communities and emergency services.
Education is another important component of the project. In the Canary Islands, awareness activities in schools help students better understand geological risks and how to react in emergency situations.
EU support for risk prevention and regional cooperation
AGEO demonstrates how EU-funded cooperation can help regions better anticipate and manage climate-related risks while strengthening cooperation between countries facing similar challenges.
The project has a total budget of more than €3.2 million, with 75% financed by the European Union through Cohesion Policy.
Partners from Portugal, Spain, France, Ireland and the United Kingdom participated in the project, which also received two awards at the REGIOSTARS Awards, recognising excellence in EU-funded projects.