Institution name: “Ss. Cyril and Methodius” University, Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Engineering Seismology 

Acronym: IZIIS

Partner coordinator: Prof. dr. Igor Gjorgjiev

Website: www.izis.ukim.edu.mk

About

Founded in 1965, the Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Engineering Seismology (IZIIS) is a scientific and higher education institution within Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, with a long-standing and internationally recognized presence in the fields of earthquake engineering and disaster risk reduction. For nearly six decades, IZIIS has been advancing knowledge, innovation, and practice in protecting communities, critical infrastructure, and socio-economic systems from earthquakes and other natural hazards.
Driven by innovation and scientific excellence, IZIIS delivers science-based solutions that strengthen resilience, enhance safety, and support informed decision-making in the face of complex natural risks.
With a strong multidisciplinary focus, the Institute conducts advanced multi-hazard risk assessments, performance evaluation of structures, geotechnical engineering, large-scale
experimental testing, and the development of state-of-the-art structural monitoring systems. Its work directly supports resilience, safety, and evidence-based decision-making
at national and international levels.
IZIIS is structured into six departments and five specialized laboratories equipped with cutting-edge experimental facilities, including a multi-component shaking table, and is
supported by a dedicated Centre for International Cooperation. As a key player in the European research landscape, IZIIS has contributed to major EU-funded projects such as EMERGE, ISRA, ERIES, CRISIS, L2BR, INFRA-NAT, and SERA, among others.
IZIIS contributes expertise in multi-hazard risk assessment, critical infrastructure safety and slope/landslide analysis to support the development and testing of NbS for climate-resilient infrastructure.

Main Responsibilities: IZIIS runs Demonstrator 5 at the Globocica Dam site, including
planning, design, execution, and monitoring of the NbS solution(s) on site.
Key Activities: IZIIS contributes to stakeholder mapping and engagement activities (WP6) and conducts risk assessment analyses of critical infrastructure at the site, integrating proposed NbS solutions (WP3). It provides and operates Demonstrator 5 at the Globocica Dam (WP3, WP4), supports replicators and regulatory compliance (WP5, WP6), and participates in communication, dissemination, and exploitation activities.
Expertise and Resources: IZIIS has strong reputation in research and education serving Southeast Europe and beyond. The team comprises mainly from researchers in the Engineering Structures and Software, Risk and Disaster Management and Geotechnics and Special Structures departments that contribute to the project with expertise in multi-hazard risk protection, bridge/dam vulnerability assessment, soil dynamics, etc.
Expected Contributions: Within Demo 5, IZIIS is responsible for deploying and evaluating risk mitigation measures from the project NbS catalogue, with particular focus on slope stabilization and erosion control at the demonstration site.
Collaboration with Partners: Collaboration with the critical infrastructure operator – HES Crn Drim and the Construction and Dam Monitoring Service, as well as coordination with relevant stakeholders and local authorities for NbS implementation at the Demo site.

The team

Igor Gjorgjiev

Current Position: Professor, Director of IZIIS
Educational Background: BSc Civil Engineering (GF-UKIM), MSc Earthquake Engineering (UKIM-IZIIS), PhD Earthquake Engineering (UKIM-IZIIS, DAAD/ SEEFORM).
Relevant work experience: Previous Head of Department of Engineering Structures and Software, experience in linear and nonlinear analysis and design of concrete and steel structures, evaluation of earthquake stability of structures, structural health monitoring, etc.
Responsibilities in this project: Project manager at IZIIS, senior researcher, contributing to all research and project activities at IZIIS and supporting activities at DEMO 5.

Marija Vitanova

Current Position: Associate Professor, Head of the Department for Risk, Disaster Management and Strategic Planning
Educational Background: BSc Civil Engineering (GF-UKIM), MSc Earthquake Engineering (UKIM-IZIIS, DAAD/ SEEFORM), PhD Earthquake engineering – Bridge Vulnerability Assessment (UKIM-IZIIS).
Work experience: Head of Department for Risk and Disaster Management, lecturer of Bridges, transport, and infrastructural systems subject, experience in earthquake engineering, bridge and engineering structures, etc.
Responsibilities in this project: Senior Researcher supporting research and project activities at IZIIS, with responsibilities for DEMO 5 and dissemination and promotion.

Vlatko Sesov

Current Position: Professor
Educational Background: BSc Civil Engineering (GF-UKIM), MSc Earthquake Engineering (UKIM-IZIIS), PhD Earthquake Engineering – Soil Dynamics (UKIM-IZIIS), Postdoctoral researcher University of Tokyo.
Relevant work experience: Researcher in the Department of Geotechnics and Special Structures, with professional experience in soil dynamics, liquefaction mitigation, local site effects, seismic zonation, and physical modelling.
Responsibilities in this project: Responsible for providing geotechnical expertise and analyses for DEMO 5, contributing to all related research and project activities at IZIIS.

 Borjan Petreski

Current Position: Assistant Professor
Educational Background: BSc Civil Engineering (GF-UKIM), MSc/DIC Earthquake Engineering (Imperial College London), PhD Earthquake Engineering – Performance-Based Earthquake Engineering (UKIM-IZIIS).
Relevant work experience: Researcher in the Department of Engineering Structures and Software and lecturer in the courses Steel Structures and Bridges, Transport and Infrastructural Systems, with expertise in performance-based earthquake engineering and seismic design of steel structures and bridges.
Responsibilities in this project: Contributing to all research and project activities at IZIIS, including technical support and implementation at DEMO 5.

Ana Nanevska Juloska

Current Position: Assistant Professor
Educational Background: BSc Civil Engineering (GF-UKIM), MSc Earthquake Engineering (UKIM-IZIIS), PhD Earthquake Engineering (UKIM-IZIIS).
Relevant work experience: Researcher in the Department of Engineering Structures and Software and lecturer in the course Seismic Design of Dams, with expertise in earthquake engineering, numerical modelling, and seismic analysis of dams.
Responsibilities in this project: Contributing to all research and project activities at IZIIS, including technical support for DEMO 5, and participating in dissemination and promotion efforts.

Trajce Zafirov

Current Position: Assistant Professor
Educational Background: BSc Civil Engineering (GF-UKIM), MSc Earthquake Engineering (UKIM-IZIIS), PhD Earthquake Engineering (UKIM-IZIIS).
Relevant work experience: Researcher in the Department of Engineering Structures and Software and lecturer in the course Bridges, Transport and Infrastructural Systems, with professional experience in earthquake engineering, concrete structures, bridges, and other engineering structures.
Responsibilities in this project: Contributing to all research and project activities at IZIIS, including technical support for DEMO 5.