NEWS: ASAP Second Focus Group Strenghtens Stakeholder Engagement in Oil Spill Risk Management

On February 19, ASAP hosted its second focus group in Durres, Albania, bringing together local stakeholders to enhance their involvement in oil spill risk management. This session was part of a broader initiative fostering synergies with projects such as Interreg Euro-MED TREASURE and KEP-financed TRUE-BLUE , promoting knowledge exchange and future developments in the field.

Moderated by the National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics (OGS) in collaboration with the University of Ljubljana’s Faculty of Maritime Studies (UF LPP), the focus group provided a platform for stakeholders to assess the sensitivity of Albania’s coastal areas and maritime activities to oil spills.

A key component of the session was a structured questionnaire, designed to gather their opinions and insights. The data collected will be  role in prioritizing interventions during oil spill events and will form a key part of ASAP’s comprehensive risk assessment.

This focus group is part of a larger collaborative effort, demonstrating the critical role of local stakeholder engagement and cross-project collaboration in addressing maritime environmental challenges. By uniting expertise and regional knowledge, ASAP continues to pave the way for stronger, more effective oil spill preparedness and response strategies.