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European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations

EU civil protection knowledge network

Knowledge Network
© European Union (photographer: Pavel Koubek)
EU Civil Protection Knowledge Network

What is it?

The EU’s civil protection knowledge network aims to strengthen the EU civil protection mechanism (UCPM) in the areas of prevention, preparedness, and response to disasters.

Why is this important?

The knowledge network is working to increase cooperation, coordination, skills and expertise, strengthening the EU’s ability and capacity to deal with disasters.

It acts as a:

  • knowledge broker: sharing knowledge among different experts, offering them a space to learn, work, and grow together
  • partnership facilitator: connecting local and international stakeholders, governmental and non-governmental organisations, political, scientific, and technical experts
  • innovation catalyst: stimulating research and facilitating the growth of new technologies and processes in civil protection and disaster management.

How are we helping?

The knowledge network focuses on well-established and known civil protection activities, boosting them and making them even more inclusive.

Later, it will introduce new initiatives to further support the EU civil protection mechanism and its members and participating states.

The activities of the knowledge network are structured along 2 pillars: capacity development and science. The activities falling under these 2 pillars are supplemented by transversals and network-wide activities that ensure coherence and synergies. 

Knowledge network activities to support the EU civil protection mechanism:

  • 3 European Union civil protection personnel in beige uniforms and dark blue vests with EU flags and name badges sit at an outdoor table covered with maps or documents, holding pens and conferring closely with a fourth person dressed in black, against a backdrop of forested hills and training buildings, suggesting a field exercise or coordination meeting during an emergency response training.
    Training programme

    For civil protection experts working together on prevention, preparedness, and response activities.

  • 2 urban search-and-rescue workers in orange protective uniforms and helmets handle a safety rope in the foreground of a civil protection training exercise, while other similarly equipped rescuers stand on the balconies of a damaged multi-storey building in the background, preparing or supervising rope operations under a clear blue sky.
    Civil protection exercises

    Aimed at improving preparedness and enhancing collaboration among European civil protection experts and practitioners.

  • A diverse group of professionals sit side by side at a conference table, each with microphones, documents, and electronic devices in front of them, while one participant in a lilac patterned jacket gestures as if speaking during a formal meeting or panel discussion.
    Exchange of experts programme

    An exchange programme where civil protection experts spend a period in another UCPM member or participating state, the aim is to share experiences and gain in-depth technical skills.

  • Text alternative: A woman in a green top stands at the front of a classroom, gesturing with one hand while holding a pen in the other, as she gives a presentation in front of a projected map showing coloured regions and hazard symbols, with students seated and watching in the foreground.
    Lessons learnt programme

    A broad lesson-learning programme, including the development of good practices, the aim is to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of practitioners inside the mechanism.

  • A person wearing a virtual reality headset and over-ear headphones sits at a stand in a modern exhibition hall. They are dressed in a white shirt and a navy-blue sleeveless jacket with a technology company logo and the words “Zucchetti” visible on the front. A blue lanyard with a large conference badge and QR code hangs around their neck. The background is softly out of focus, showing other attendees standing and talking near bright, modern display booths under a high, industrial-style ceiling with warm cei
    Scientific advice and innovation

    A connection with scientific networks to provide the mechanism with specific expertise and stimulate research and innovation.

  • A small group of people sit around a table in a workshop setting, facing a flipchart that reads “3” at the top and “6 BASICS OF SELF-PREPAREDNESS” in large red letters, against an industrial background of a brick wall and metal shutter.
    Thematic workshops & conferences

    Learning and networking opportunities designed around specific existing or emerging needs and risks management, to help experts gain cutting-edge knowledge on specific topics.

  • A group of adults wearing conference lanyards lean over a table in a bright meeting room, actively discussing and writing on papers during a collaborative workshop or training session.
    Community engagement

    Regular dialogue on civil protection and disaster management between the members of the knowledge network community, to create a community-oriented and active network.

  • 2 emergency response officials, 1 in a bright red rescue jacket and 1 in a grey and navy European Civil Protection uniform, stand side by side in front of a whiteboard covered with writing. The officer in uniform is holding a red marker and a rolled-up sheet of paper, actively annotating the board. Behind them, an EU flag and another national flag are visible, indicating a coordinated European civil protection or disaster management planning session.
    Partnership facilitation opportunities

    Funding of initiatives to bring the civil protection and disaster management communities closer together and foster their collaboration.

Facts & figures

The knowledge network contributes to the prevention, preparedness and response to disasters in 35 member and participating states of the EU civil protection mechanism.

It creates a space for practitioners, policy makers and researchers to connect and share knowledge and expertise.

The knowledge network helps the civil protection and disaster risk management community grow and thrive.
 

This page was last updated on 16 February 2026