Getting ready to respond to crises The European Union is facing unprecedented threats – from geopolitical tensions and conflicts, cybersecurity and information manipulation risks, to climate change and increasing risks of natural hazards. To boost the EU's ability to anticipate, prevent, and respond to these threats, the Commission has presented the preparedness union strategy.The strategy aims to enhance the EU’s civilian and military preparedness and readiness for future crises so that all actors are ready and capable to respond quickly and effectively if needed. The strategy will help national preparedness efforts by enhancing coordination and efficiency within existing strategies and by fostering a culture of resilience through the engagement of all levels of society. View of the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) The strategy is based onintegrated all-hazards approach: it focuses on preparing for and responding to all types of hazards, rather than addressing them separatelywhole-of-society approach: all sectors, organisations and individuals should be involvedwhole-of-government approach: government agencies and departments coordinate and collaborate to address hazards more effectively The strategy includes detailed actions to advance the preparedness union’s objectives. Key actions of the preparedness union strategy Foresight and anticipationdevelop an EU comprehensive risks and threats assessment set up a crisis dashboard for decision-makersstrengthen the Emergency Response Coordination Centredevelop an EU catalogue for training and a platform for lessons learnedestablish an EU Earth observation governmental service (EOGS)Resilience of vital societal functionsembed preparedness by design into EU policies and actions adopt minimum preparedness requirementsrevise the Union Civil Protection Mechanismpropose an EU stockpiling strategy propose a climate adaptation planensure supply of water and other critical natural resources Population preparednessimprove early warning systems increase awareness about risks and threatspromote awareness-raising programmes, such as citizens panels, online campaigns, and toolkits for strategic communication and countering information manipulationdevelop guidelines to reach a population self-sufficiency of minimum 72 hoursinclude preparedness in school education curricula and training of educational staffpromote preparedness in youth programmesattract talent to reinforce EU’s preparednessPublic-private cooperationestablish a public-private preparedness task forcedevelop public-private emergency protocols revise the public procurement frameworkestablish a European centre of expertise on research securityCivil-military cooperationestablish comprehensive civil-military preparedness arrangementsdevelop standards for civilian-military dual use planning and investmentorganise regular EU exercises to promote comprehensive preparedness Crisis response coordinationset up an EU crisis coordination hubboost rescEU EU-level reserve of response capacitiesResilience through external partnershipsadvance mutual resilience with candidate countriesintegrate preparedness and resilience into bilateral partnerships and multilateral institutionsintegrate preparedness and resilience into the cooperation with NATOdevelop mutual resilience through external economic and development policies Background In her political guidelines, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen emphasised the importance of building up Europe’s capabilities as well as the need for new ambition on crisis and security preparedness.The Niinistö report on preparedness and readiness of the EU underlined the urgent need to strengthen Europe’s civilian and military preparedness to address security challenges. It recognised that preparedness is both a national and shared European responsibility requiring the Union to play a stronger role in supporting Member States. Documents 26 MARCH 2025Factsheet - Preparedness union strategy 26 MARCH 2025EU preparedness union strategy to prevent and react to emerging threats and crises 26 MARCH 2025Questions and answers on the EU preparedness union strategy 24 MARCH 2025EU preparedness union strategy - Communication 25 MARCH 2025EU preparedness union strategy - Annex Related links A new era for European defence and securityReport by Special Adviser NiinistöCivil protectionEuropean Civil Protection PoolCopernicus Emergency Management ServiceNatural and man-made hazardsDisaster Risk Management Knowledge CentreCrisis managementForesightReinforcing Europe’s resilience in a changing worldUCPM Knowledge Network
The European Union is facing unprecedented threats – from geopolitical tensions and conflicts, cybersecurity and information manipulation risks, to climate change and increasing risks of natural hazards. To boost the EU's ability to anticipate, prevent, and respond to these threats, the Commission has presented the preparedness union strategy.The strategy aims to enhance the EU’s civilian and military preparedness and readiness for future crises so that all actors are ready and capable to respond quickly and effectively if needed. The strategy will help national preparedness efforts by enhancing coordination and efficiency within existing strategies and by fostering a culture of resilience through the engagement of all levels of society. View of the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC)
