Strengthening Crossborder Solutions for Managing Allergenic Plants and Enhancing Climate Resilience

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A IPA Croatia - Bosnia and Herzegovina - Montenegro

Date of latest update: 2025-12-15

Description

Description (EN):

Invasive alien species (IAS) are one of the biggest causes of biodiversity loss and species extinctions, they can negatively affect health (cause pollen allergies) are also a global threat to food. AllerShield aims to monitor and assess the impact of climate change and potential air pollutants on air quality, including the concentration of allergenic pollen (especially pollen originating from invasive plant species) using innovative technology. To achieve its objectives, AlerShield will develop balanced planning Strategy and Action Plan that benefit both air quality and sustainable biodiversity status. By understanding the relationships between air quality and biodiversity, the project will contribute to the development of integrated policies focused on limiting the spread of invasive species and mitigating anthropogenic pressure on the environment. The distribution of the project's results will provide real-time information to citizens, tourists, allergy sufferers, and public health authorities. This information will help individuals better plan their daily activities, free time, or annual vacations, taking into account air quality and health risks. Furthermore, the project's findings will be applied in the development of policies, measures, and practices in the economy, agriculture, health, and tourism sectors. In terms of implementation, AllerShield will utilize innovative technology and monitoring methods to gather data on air pollen pollution. This will involve the use of advanced monitoring devices, data analysis techniques, and the integration of information from multiple sources. Transnational cooperation among partners from Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro is crucial for the success of the project, as it allows for the exchange of expertise, data sharing, and collaboration in research and monitoring activities. By combining the efforts and knowledge of multiple stakeholders, AllerShield can develop comprehensive strategies that address the common challenge of monitoring and mitigating the impacts of climate change, air pollutants, on human health and the environment. The main outputs are developed and implemented air quality Monitoring platform accessible to general population, created joint Strategy and Action plan of prevention of further spread of allergenic plants. The originality of the project lies precisely in the innovative technology through the creation of the monitoring platform. Result distribution will provide real time information to citizens/allergy sufferers/agriculturists thus enabling increased life quality of a sensitive group of citizens to air pollution, easier maintenance of agricultural areas, increase of agricultural yields and reduction of negative effects of invasive species on nature, biodiversity, agriculture and health in the project area.

Actual Achievements (EN):

During the first period, preparatory activities were carried out to improve the state of the environment in the cross-border area of Zadar County, the City of Banja Luka and the City of Podgorica. Some of the equipment necessary for the organization and implementation of air quality monitoring in the program area was purchased: IT equipment and vehicles for field work. The purchase of this equipment increased the capacities of the partner institutions, and thanks to the new vehicles, it will be possible to transport the new equipment to pilot locations and regularly visit the newly established measuring stations. A great effort was invested in strengthening the capacities and knowledge of experts employed in the partner institutions, which was achieved through joint participation in a five-day aerobiological education, where experts from the partner institutions acquired basic aerobiological knowledge and skills and exchanged experiences and good practices in their countries. Strengthening the capacities and knowledge of employees in local municipalities and cities was carried out by organizing a workshop and a series of expert lectures at which stakeholders received important information about the impact of air pollution and pollen on human health. In the second project period project partners from Croatia (LP), Republika Srpska (IPERS), and Montenegro (EPA) made strong progress under Work Package 1. Key achievements included the procurement and installation of air quality monitoring equipment and significant upgrades to laboratory infrastructure. During Period 2, the following actions that were initially unimplemented in Period 1 were successfully completed: 1. The expert guide, which was pending at the start of Period 1, was finalized and delivered. This guide provides essential instructions and best practices for the implementation and use of project tools and methodologies. 2. Microscope with Camera and Software was delivered to LP. Educational outreach was a central activity, with all partners organizing interactive workshops for schoolchildren to raise awareness about allergenic pollen, pollution, and public health. These sessions combined science education with hands-on activities, helping students better understand environmental issues. Public communication was also a priority. Each partner used websites, social media, and traditional media to inform and engage the public. EPA, in particular, achieved wide media coverage and participated in regional promotional events, further increasing project visibility. EPA has also initiated stakeholder mapping and data collection to support upcoming strategy development. Overall, the first half of 2025 laid a strong foundation for continued collaboration, public engagement, and cross-border environmental action.

Project outputs: Air quality monitoring platform accessible to general population(EN)
Testing of the jointly developed tool - Air quality Monitoring platform(EN)
Joint Action plan created(EN)

Thematic information

Climate change and biodiversity

Priority: (VI-A_HR-B-ME_2) Green investments in environmental protection and efficient risk management

Priority specific objective: RSO2.4. Promoting climate change adaptation and disaster risk prevention and resilience, taking into account eco-system based approaches

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO2 A greener, low-carbon transitioning towards a net zero carbon economy and resilient Europe by promoting clean and fair energy transition, green and blue investment, the circular economy, climate change mitigation and adaptation, risk prevention and management, and sustainable urban mobility

Type of intervention: 079 Nature and biodiversity protection, natural heritage and resources, green and blue infrastructure

Partners (3)

Lead Partner: Zavod za javno zdravstvo Zadar

Partner’s ID if not PIC: HR 30765863795

Department: Department for Environmental Protection and Health Ecology

Address: Ljudevita Posavskog , 23000 Zadar, Croatia

Department address: Ljudevita Posavskog, 23000 Zadar, Croatia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Regional public authority

Website: https://www.zjz-zadar.hr/

Total budget: EUR 362 532.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 308 152.20

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 54 379.80

Contractors:

Name: SMART SENSE d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 94395426370
Name: STUDIO BAR D.O.O.
VAT registration or tax identification number: HR92615269099
Name: Auto Hrvatska Automobili d.o.o
VAT registration or tax identification number: 23035642859
Name: University of Novi Sad
VAT registration or tax identification number: 101635863
Name: DATA LINK d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 73557700035
Name: HOSTEL 4 YOU d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 64747198806
Name: Labena d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 09146496654

Agencija za zaštitu životne sredine

Name: Agencija za zaštitu životne sredine

Department: Sector environmental monitoring

Partner’s ID if not PIC: N.a.

Address: IV Proleterske, 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro

Department address: IV Proleterske , 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro

Legal status: public

Organisation type: National public authority

Website: http://www.epa.org.me

Total budget: EUR 216 594.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 184 104.90

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 32 489.10

Contractors:

Name: DANLAB LTD
VAT registration or tax identification number: 30/31-00062-8/02352397
Name: G TECH
VAT registration or tax identification number: 30/31-09535-1
Name: DANLAB
VAT registration or tax identification number: 30/31-00062-8

JNU Institut za zaštitu i ekologiju Republike Srpske, Banja Luka

Name: JNU Institut za zaštitu i ekologiju Republike Srpske, Banja Luka

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 401020860005

Address: Vidovdanska, 78000 Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: https://www.institutzei.net/sr/

Total budget: EUR 228 690.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 194 386.50

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 34 303.50

Contractors:

Name: Market AS d.o.o. Banja Luka
VAT registration or tax identification number: 404825390004
Name: Hotel Vidović d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 402681540003
Name: GATARIĆ d.o.o. Derventa
VAT registration or tax identification number: 400147210003
Name: ALF-OM d.o.o. Banja Luka
VAT registration or tax identification number: 400810890005
Name: GUMA M d.o.o. Mostar
VAT registration or tax identification number: 227111640008
Name: Hostanno Ljuban Jajčanin s.p.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 4512801210002

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

Environmental Protection Agency

Strengthening Crossborder Solutions for Managing Allergenic Plants and Enhancing Climate Resilience

Partners and Projects info

PSRI Institute for Protection and Ecology of the Republic of Srpska, Banja Luka

Strengthening Crossborder Solutions for Managing Allergenic Plants and Enhancing Climate Resilience

Partners and Projects info

Institute of Public Health Zadar

Strengthening Crossborder Solutions for Managing Allergenic Plants and Enhancing Climate Resilience

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Strengthening Crossborder Solutions for Managing Allergenic Plants and Enhancing Climate Resilience

Project acronym: AllerShield

Project ID: HR-BA-ME00225

Project start date: 2024-07-01

Project end date: 2027-06-30

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

ECOWAVES (EN) | As part of the ECOWAVES project (Program Interreg ADRION 2014-2020), a weather station with sensors for air quality monitoring was installed in the area of the Zadar Port Authority, which contributed to the improvement of air quality with the aim of reducing harmful effects on the environment, human health and increasing the ecological sustainability of the port area.
The synergy between project ALLERSHIELD and the previous project ECOWAVES is of utmost importance for the successful implementation of ALLERSHIELD. While ALLERSHIELD is a project aimed at addressing air pollution and allergens in the air in a holistic manner, the prior ECOWAVES project also tackled issues related to air pollution, particularly in the context of waste management and prevention of pollution diffusion in port areas. The experiences and insights gained from ECOWAVES can offer valuable lessons and best practices that can be applied to the development of effective strategies and solutions within the scope of ALLERSHIELD. By leveraging the knowledge and outcomes of ECOWAVES, ALLERSHIELD can benefit from a well-rounded approach that considers not only ambient air pollution but also factors in waste management practices, port area protection, and sustainable cooperation among different stakeholders. This collaborative approach will create a more comprehensive and robust initiative in tackling air pollution and allergens, ultimately leading to more significant and sustainable environmental improvements. (EN), HALT Ambrosia Complex research on methods to halt the Ambrosia invasion in Europe HALT Ambrosia (EN) | Scientific article HALT Ambrosia - complex research on the invasive alien plant ragweed ( Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) in Europe will be used for building of knowledge.
Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) spread, biology, ecology, damages and control measures will be used for preparing educational materials ffor workshops and e-learning course. (EN), COST FA1203 "Sustainable management of Ambrosia artemisiifolia in Europe (SMARTER)" (EN) | Publications, APP (SMARTER Ambrosia Reporter, leafleta, a poster, and a number of press releases produced in this project will will be used for for preparing educational and promo materials for public. (EN), LIFE CONTRA Ailanthus which plans to establish control of Ailanthus in protected habitats of two Natura 2000 sites and historic cities of Mediterranean Croatia). (EN) | Publications produced in this project will be used for praparing educational materials for experts and general public. (EN), Urban Green Belts (EN) | The application developed in the project will be used to obtain data on the distribution of woody allergenic taxa in the urban area of the city of Zadar. (EN), EU Action Plan: "Towards a Zero Pollution for Air, Water and Soil" (EN) | "Towards a Zero Pollution for Air, Water and Soil" is an EU Action Plan that aims improving air quality to reduce the number of premature deaths caused by air pollution by 55% and reducing by 25% the EU ecosystems where air pollution threatens biodiversity; AllerShields focus on reducing air pollution aligns with Action Plans goals. Activities and guidelines from EU Action Plan will be of great benefit to the AllerShield project. (EN), Sofia declaration on the green agenda for the western balkans (EN) | Develop and implement Air Quality Strategies and increase the uptake of Best Available Techniques in accordance with the Industrial Emissions Directive;
Establish adequate air quality monitoring system, including through accreditation of air quality monitoring networks; (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 807 816.00

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 686 643.60

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 85.00%

Co-financing sources:

IPA/IPA II/IPA III: Amount, EUR 686 643.60. Co-financing rate, 85.00%.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Deliverables:

Equipment for monitoring pollen pollution
Pilot locations report about allergenic pollen concentration
Report on communication plan, preparation of basic comm. tools & establishment of comm. channels
Digital campaign for the dissemination of monitoring results implemented
Workshops for children
Educational video
Education of aerobiologists
Expert guide
Scientific article published
International conference participation
Online webinar with focus group
Organized workshops for local stakeholders - public authorities
AllerShield CrossBorder General Strategy
Created Joint Action Plan for local decision makers

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EUStrategyAdriaticIonianRegion Project in accordance with the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region which clearly states that the quality of the environment is of crucial importance for securing the economic and social well-being in the regions. The proposed project is directly related to actions Improving and harmonizing environmental quality management, in the part relating to air quality control, which is the goal of the project. Air quality (from transport as sources of heavy metals in the air) and strengthening the region (by strengthening its environmental services-institutional capacity) is proposed in the strategy. One of the priorities of Area 4 in Strategy is air quality. The Danube Air Nexus cluster covers all countries of the Danube region. It aims to deal with air-related issues in the region and especially, the assessment of air quality sources and the assessment of the impacts of air pollution on health. This will be possible because the analysis of pollen in air (in BA) by reference methods will be done for the first time. In addition to establishing pollen monitoring in BA, the existing pollen monitoring system in HR and ME will be significantly improved.
The contribution to Topic 2 referring to Protection and enhancement of natural terrestrial habitats and ecosystems will be achieved by developing joint solutions for the implementation of preventive measures to different sources of pollution. Also, the project will result with the specific application for sustainable air quality monitoring including aerobiological quality (with predictive model).
By providing publicly available pollen calendars which are based on 3 years of monitoring the project will also contribute to Pillar 4, Topic 1 regarding the Sustainable Tourism since it will enable tourists to choose their destination and vacation activities based on the air quality of the certain area.
EUStrategyDanubeRegion EU Strategy for the Danube Region is based on four pillars and the present project touches three out of four of them: connecting the region (the CBC regions related to vulnerable points of Danube tributary Sava), protecting the environment (by bringing more efficient management of the air and etc.). Some of issues (Priority Areas) Strategy (Four Pillars) are protecting the Environment in the Danube Region, to manage environmental risks and to preserve the quality of air, which is the goal of the project. Also, strengthening the Danube Region and to step up institutional capacity and cooperation. Strategy Action plan defined action in Improvement of air quality “To decrease air pollutants”- All Danube region countries have signed the Convention on long-range trans-boundary air pollution. In compliance with this Convention, there is a need to report about the level of air pollutants in the region. The project should concentrate on data collection and reduction measures. The result of the proposed project is analysis, data collection and reduction measure, as a result of the environmental state test.
EuropeanGreenDeal The project is fully aligned with the objectives of the European Green Deal, especially A zero pollution ambition for a toxic-free environment. Protecting the environment is very important and pollution is one of the biggest environmental problems after climate change. The project addresses the air quality as extremely important factor of humans lives and ecosystem in general. The AllerShieldCation delivers an implemented system for real time pollution monitoring and forecasting of allergenic pollen in projects area that will contribute to life quality of local inhabitants as well as tourists visiting the area.
The European Green Deal calls for the EU to better monitor, report, prevent and remedy air, water, soil and consumer products pollution, so activities of the project include exchange of knowledge, education and creation of methodology for monitoring air quality.
Other N 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development has 17 different goals. One of them is health and well-being which is a very important factor when it comes to sustainable development. Threats to the environment are largely reflected in economic and social inequalities. The project’s activities and outcomes are perfectly aligned with the objective of the strategy since it will contribute to environmentally sustainable tourism due to 2 years of monitoring of pollen grains at several locations in the county arranged in a way to cover a number of different areas for different forms of tourism.
The project's activities and objectives are perfectly aligned with the objective of the Territorial Agenda 2030 for the Health Environment. The project will contribute to the improvement of air quality since one of its objectives is to collect aerobiological and air quality data in areas which have never been researched. The collected data will be used to influence local authorities, for developing and adaptation of policies and measures to improve air quality in the project area. The Target group's education will contribute to raising public awareness and will encourage positive practices in the direction of preserving good air quality and the environment in general.
Other Environmental Strategy of Republika Srpska 2022-2032.
The situation in this area: insufficiently developed system for collecting data on emissions and air quality, lack of adopted measures in periods of increased air pollution, lack of a system for ensuring the quality of measurement of emissions and ambient concentrations.
Chapter 2.4: Strategic objectives
Thematic area: Air quality, climate change and energy
Strategic goal: Improving mitigation and adaptation to climate change and improving air quality
Priority 4.1: Reduction of air pollution by pollutants to levels that are safe for human health, which will be achieved by reducing emissions from large combustion plants, harmonizing industrial plants with the best available techniques, reducing emissions from domestic heat sources and service activities, increasing the share of remote of heating in total heating and by reducing the emission of pollutants from traffic.
Priority 4.2: Improving the air quality management system that supports strategic decision-making and informs citizens about air quality, which will be achieved by further developing a network of monitoring stations, improving the existing system of informing citizens in real and integrated time about air quality and developing a reporting system according to international institutions on emissions and air quality.
Priority 4.3: Reducing the impact of Republika Srpska on climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing the carbon sink, which will be achieved by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing the carbon sink.
Priority 4.4: Strengthening resistance to the effects of climate change, which will be achieved by increasing the capacity of institutions and infrastructure, as well as the strategic and legislative framework.
Other Nature protection strategy and action plan of the Republic of Croatia for the period 2017-2025 sets out 5 Strategic goals. The following goals are important for this project: 1. Increase effectiveness of key nature protection mechanisms, 1.1. Ensure a clear, harmonized and feasible legislative and institutional framework for the implementation of nature conservation mechanisms, 2. Reduce direct pressures on nature and promote sustainable use of natural resources, 2.6. Establish management system for alien species, and implement measures for the prevention of introduction, spread and control of Invasive Alien Species; 4. Increase the knowledge and availability of data on nature, 4.2. Increase the availability of data on the state of nature.

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
RCO 083 - Strategies and action plans jointly developed, Measurement unit:

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:
RCR 079 - Joint strategies and action plans taken up by organisations, Measurement unit:

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSDR

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSAIR

EUSAIR Priority (Policy) area / Horizontal action:

EUSAIR Degree of compliance:

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A IPA Croatia - Bosnia and Herzegovina - Montenegro

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2025-12-15

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

37 / 37 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

167 / 167 (100%)

Notes on the data

The end dates of project: - RACE 2 - APOLLO - CODES - SMART STEP are an approximation based on the programme's List of Operations available on the programme's website on 2024 -09-18. There the end date is marked in quarters. Combined total of all projects partnerships (11764705.89) in field total_budget is larger than projects total (1499618.4) of total_budget.

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Strengthening Crossborder Solutions for Managing Allergenic Plants and Enhancing Climate Resilience

Description

Thematic information

Partners (3)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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