CANDOR 2025
Complete Awareness in Natural Disaster Overcoming and Recovery
Advanced Research Workshop | October 5 – 9, 2025
CEPS College Campus – Kiseljak, Bosnia and Herzegovina
International leaders in disaster response, mitigation, and recovery gathered at the Complete Awareness in Natural Disaster Overcoming and Recovery Advanced Research Workshop, held from October 5 to October 9, 2025, at CEPS College in Kiseljak, Bosnia and Herzegovina. This unique event focused on cutting-edge research, practical exercises, and collaborative strategies for managing natural disasters—delivering critical insights into preparedness, response, and resilience.
CANDOR 2025 hosts
Inaugural CANDOR Workshop:
Advancing Natural Disaster Preparedness in Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Advanced Research Workshop (ARW) CANDOR – Complete Awareness in Natural Disaster Overcoming and Recovery, sponsored by the NATO Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Program, took place October 5–9, 2025, in Kiseljak, Bosnia and Herzegovina. This groundbreaking international workshop focused on advancing natural disaster prediction, emergency response, and crisis management for the region.
Held on the anniversary of the devastating 2024 floods in central Bosnia and Herzegovina, the CANDOR Workshop was the first scientific event of its kind in the country. Organized by DTCare’s Sarajevo Representative Office and hosted at the CEPS campus in Kiseljak, the multi-day event brought together leading disaster management experts from 11 countries. Participants explored innovative technologies, integrated response strategies, and best practices for disaster resilience.
Key organizers of this multidisciplinary initiative included Assoc. Prof. Dr. Amer Smailbegovic (DTCare), Prof. Dr. Mirjana Laban (Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Serbia), Dr. Mirzo Selimic (CEPS College Kiseljak), Prof. Dr. J. Pete Blair (Texas State University, USA), and Dr. Beata Randusova (Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute, Bratislava). A NATO SPS grant fully supported the workshop.
As the first international scientific workshop on natural disaster preparedness, response, and recovery in Bosnia and Herzegovina, CANDOR provided hands-on training, cutting-edge research presentations, and strategic networking opportunities. DTCare remains dedicated to strengthening disaster readiness in the Western Balkans and is leveraging the workshop’s momentum to help establish the Regional Training Center for Natural Disaster Response (RECENTER).
Workshop Agenda
Monday, October 6, 2025
First Responders in the Western Balkans (Keynotes)Hazard Prediction and Modeling: Explore forecasting, watershed modeling, floodwater models, and predictive analysis for natural disasters in the Western Balkans.
Prevention and Evaluation: Dive into topics of infrastructure resilience, land cover and plant health, and best practices in fire management.
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
Perspectives on Incident CommandCombined Operations: Integrated discussions on Health, Fire, EMS, Fire and Rescue, Airborne Operations, and Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS).
Damage Assessment & Reduction: Examine societal resistance, early warning systems, and specialized training centers for disaster preparedness.
Integrated Approaches to Training: Effective and collaborative disaster training strategies.
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Desktop Exercise: Incident command scenario covering multiple crisis incidents in urban areas.
Practical Exercise: Real-time activities on forecasting, alerting, response, and triage.
Thursday, October 9, 2025
Roundtable: Engaging discussion with international disaster missions operating in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Contact
For additional information about our events, contact DTCare at candor@dtcare.org.
We encourage you to visit our social media for the latest updates.
What Participants Gained
Connected with a diverse community of first responders, disaster management experts, and academic leaders from Europe and the United States.
Discovered the latest advancements in hazard prediction, infrastructure resilience, and emergency response integration.
Engaged in hands-on exercises and roundtable discussions to enhance global crisis preparedness.
Organizers & Key Participants
Organizers and Key Participants
Grant Holder:
doc. dr. Amer Smailbegovic
Co-director:
prof. dr. Mirjana Laban
Organizing Committee:
prof. dr. J. Pete Blair, doc. dr. Mirzo Selimic, dr. Beata Randusova
Workshop Organizers:
DTCare
Texas State University
University of Novi Sad
CEPS College
Slovak Hydrometeorological Survey
Confirmed Institutions and Agencies:
Pacific Disaster Center, USA
ALERRT Center – Texas State University, USA
Ministry of Security, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Faculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade, Serbia
Faculty of Criminal Justice and Policing, University of Belgrade, Serbia
Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Serbia
University of Montenegro, Montenegro
Masaryk University, Czechia
Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje, N. Macedonia
Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Portugal
Polytechnic Institute of Rijeka, Croatia
Slovak Hydrometeorological Survey, Slovakia
SAFEGE, Croatia / France
CERBERUS Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina
CEPS College, Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Details
Date: October 5 – 9, 2025
Address: CEPS College Campus
Josipa bana Jelačića 18,
Kiseljak 71250,
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Contact: DTCare - candor@dtcare.org
Media & Social Coverage of CANDOR
Klix.ba: International CANDOR Workshop Begins at CEPS College in Kiseljak ➜
News article on the opening of the CANDOR international workshop at CEPS College.
Kiseljak.info: CANDOR International Workshop Held in Kiseljak ➜
Coverage of the successful CANDOR workshop hosted in Kiseljak.
CEPS College Facebook: CANDOR International Workshop Concludes ➜
Summary and major takeaways from the workshop, posted by CEPS College.
Embassy of Slovenia in BiH Facebook: CANDOR International Conference ➜
Post highlighting the CANDOR international conference from the Slovenian Embassy.
NATO BiH Instagram: Highlights from the CANDOR Workshop ➜
Reel shared by NATO BiH on the workshop.
DTCare Instagram: Scenes from the CANDOR Workshop ➜
Photos by NATO BiH of the event's highlights.
Resources
Find our downloadable flyer and agenda below for sharing.