A two-day partner meeting under the HEATSAFE project took place on 20–21 November 2025 in Barcelona, hosted by the Barcelona Metropolitan Area (AMB). Representatives of ASWM, Blagoevgrad Municipality, and Blagoevgrad Regional Administration participated in the event, which brought together all project partners to exchange best practices for adapting to extreme heat and expanding the network of climate shelters.
The first day of the meeting was held at the AMB headquarters and focused on progress within the HEATSAFE work packages. Partners presented their current results, discussed outcomes from stakeholder meetings, and reported on the development of Action Plans for Extreme Heat. Key topics included heatwave response strategies, vulnerability mapping, local mitigation measures, and carbon footprint management. A session dedicated to capitalising on achieved results was also held.
A central theme of the meeting was the AMB-managed network of climate shelters. The hosts presented their governance model and introduced the two types of shelters used in the Barcelona metropolitan region—indoor and outdoor.
On the second day, partners visited two climate shelters in Cornellà de Llobregat: the Centre Civic Sant Ildefons and the library in Canal de la Infanta Park, which combines both indoor and outdoor shelter solutions. The hosts demonstrated the implemented measures, infrastructure adaptations, and operational processes.
The meeting concluded at CITILAB, where partners outlined the next steps and agreed on key tasks for the upcoming project period. It was confirmed that ASWM will host the next partner meeting in June 2026, followed by the city of Durrës, Albania, which will host the fourth meeting in November 2026.
HEATSAFE aims to develop innovative policies and structures to protect the population from the growing frequency and intensity of heatwaves. The project supports the establishment of climate shelters, the creation of local action plans, and the enhancement of communication and response systems during extreme weather events.
