The "Disaster Resilience Days 2025" conference, held in Brussels from 19–21 May and organised by the Community for European Research and Innovation for Security (CERIS), brought together over 160 participants to strengthen EU disaster preparedness.

In this first in a series of articles on European Commission funding opportunities available on preparedness and disaster risk management, we look at the LIFE Programme calls, which have recently been launched for this year.

End of May, the city of Gdańsk became a hub for international civil protection cooperation when teams from across Europe gathered for EU MODEX Poland 2025. This large-scale field exercise was part of the 12th EU MODEX cycle and brought together five specialised response units for a four-day simulation of cross-border disaster deployment under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM).

As wildfires become more frequent, severe, and unpredictable across Europe, policymakers, scientists, and practitioners are rallying behind a new strategy tand a new approach to wildfire risk. At a two-day gathering in Brussels last week, over 150 experts from across Europe came together to launch the proposal for an Integrated Wildfire Risk Management (IWRM) Strategy.

The Horizon Europe work programmes have been published; hundreds of millions of euros available for preparedness-focused research.

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.

Impact's And Response Options regarding low Sulphur marine fuel oil Spills.

Early warning Demonstration of pan-European rainfall-induced impact forecasts.

Managing Complex Floods in North Albania through Cross Border Host Nation Support and Joint Cooperation.