Inforegio - Strategic Operation ADAPTisa tackles Extreme Weather Preparedness in Tisa River Basin

Climate change continues to amplify the frequency and severity of hydrological events, including floods and droughts. These changes threaten communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems. 

The Interreg ADAPTisa project tackles these challenges by strengthening cross-border collaboration, promoting nature-based solutions, and deploying modern technology for early warning and integrated water resource management.

 ADAPTisa focuses on four main outcomes to reduce climate change-related risks:​

Project Partnership​

ADAPTisa is led by the Faculty of Technical Sciences in Novi Sad (Serbia), with key partners including:​

• European Affairs Fund of Autonomous Province of Vojvodina (Serbia)​
• Lower-Tisza District Water Directorate (Hungary)​
• University of Szeged (Hungary)​
• Public Water Management Company “Vode Vojvodine” (Serbia) 

On 24 April as part of its efforts to promote regional cooperation and knowledge sharing, the Science and Technology Park Novi Sad hosted the Expert Roundtable “Flood Prevention in the Context of Climate Change.” The roundtable brought together professionals and decision-makers from water management, hydrotechnics, academia, civil society organizations, R&D institutions focusing on artificial intelligence, and public institutions. 

Key conclusions drawn from the Expert Roundtable indicate that:

• Climate Change Demands Urgent Adaptation in Flood Risk Management

Participants agreed that the growing frequency and intensity of floods—driven by climate change—require a fundamental shift in how flood risks are assessed, predicted, and mitigated. Traditional infrastructure alone is no longer sufficient. 

• Nature-Based Solutions Must Complement Traditional Infrastructure

The roundtable emphasized the need to integrate nature-based solutions (NbS)—like wetland restoration, forest buffers, and aquifer recharge—with engineered structures (e.g., levees, dams). 

These hybrid approaches increase resilience and provide co-benefits for biodiversity and communities. 

• Digital Innovation Is Key to Effective Forecasting and Response

Experts highlighted the potential of artificial intelligence, predictive modelling, and real-time monitoring systems to significantly improve early warning capabilities and adaptive responses. The ADAPTisa platform under development will play a central role in this transformation. 

• Cross-Sector Collaboration is Crucial

There was consensus that effective flood risk management must include public institutions, private stakeholders, civil society, academic institutions, and volunteer organizations. Coordinated protocols and shared responsibilities are needed to act swiftly and effectively in emergencies. 

• Community Awareness and Preparedness Are Essential

Educating the public—especially agricultural producers and residents in high-risk zones—on flood risks, adaptation practices, and early warning responses was seen as critical to the long-term success of any flood management strategy. 

• Cross-Border Coordination Needs to Be Institutionalized

Given the shared nature of the Tisa River Basin, long-term flood prevention requires formal, continuous cooperation between Hungary and Serbia, with aligned strategies, data sharing, and joint planning. 

With a total budget of €1,418,020.16, including €1,205,317.13 from the European Union’s budget the project started on September 1, 2024, and is scheduled to run until August 31, 2026.