Today the Commission and High Representative launched the Preparedness Union Strategy to support Member States and enhance Europe's capability to prevent and respond to emerging threats.

New projects have been launched under the Knowledge for Action in Prevention and Preparedness (KAPP) calls for proposals 2024. The KAPP call for proposals co-finances projects aimed at enhancing cooperation among MS and PS on disaster prevention and preparedness as well as full-scale field exercises.

We interviewed Sarah Jürges, the project coordinator of CivPro-LiNC, a recently funded project under the 2024 KAPP call: she shared her insights on coordinating project activities across various governance levels and offered her tips for successfully applying to a KAPP call.

On 26 February 2025, 23 young leaders from across Europe gathered in Brussels for a Youth Policy Dialogue on Preparedness. The event gave young people a chance to share their views on citizens’ risk awareness and preparedness with Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib.

Looking back at highlights in civil protection from 2024 (as covered by the Knowledge Network Platform). We look back at some of the stories that were covered by the Knowledge Network Platform over the year. Some 40% of our content is provided by the community, and we hope that many of you will recognise events that you were involved in here too.

Sectoral news, stories from the frontlines and events of importance to the civil protection and disaster risk management community.

The Knowledge Network Capacity Development pillar aims to connect, promote and strengthen capacity development initiatives relevant to civil protection and disaster management.

Through the Knowledge Network, the scientific community and operational stakeholders in disaster management have a new space to connect and share knowledge.

The exercise programme of the Knowledge Network offers a variety of civil protection exercises to enhance prevention, preparedness and disaster response.

Training Centre Network on 3D and VR.

Cross Border Risk Awareness in Western Balkans.

The LINKS project is a comprehensive study on the uses of Social Media and Crowdsourcing in disaster risk management.