What's it all about?
Launched in December 2021, the Union Civil Protection Knowledge Network is one of the tools of the Union Civil Protection Mechanism and its community. It was set up to strengthen the efficiency and effectiveness of civil protection training and exercises, promote innovation and dialogue, and enhance cooperation between Member States’ national civil protection authorities.
The Knowledge Network is a hub that connects first responders, disaster risk managers, scientists, and decision-makers and matches their needs for expertise and good practices with methodologies, tools, solutions, and resources.
It's an inclusive community whose members can learn from each other, share their knowledge, and work together.
Vision
Mission
Goals
Learn more about the Knowledge Network
Since its creation in 2004, the UCPM training programme has offered 12,000+ training places for more than 5,400 experts from UCPM Member and Participating States, as well as from enlargement and neighbourhood countries.
88 organisations from 32 countries were involved in different projects and exercises (funded under annual calls for proposals), which started implementation of their activities in 2022.
Over 2 500 experts participated in the UCPM Exchange of Experts in Civil Protection programme from 2010-2024, gaining insight into the work of civil protection organisations and experts across Europe and beyond.
Governance structure
Capacity Development Pillar
Science Pillar
Projects
Training and exercises
Communication
Key developments
23 April 2024
Activities Report 2024
The Activities Report for the Knowledge Network 2022-2023 is published. The Activities Report sets out achievements, results and lessons learnt by the EU and its partners under the three goals of the Network – community, shared knowledge for action, and research that matters.
26 June 2022
Strategic vision for the Knowledge Network defined
The Board endorses the UCPKN Strategic Plan 2022-2026, outlining the Union Civil Protection Knowledge Network's place within a broader civil protection and disaster risk management system and defining its vision, mission, and strategic goals for the next five years.
7 December 2021
Official launch of the Union Civil Protection Knowledge Network
The Knowledge Network is formally inaugurated by the European Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič during a dedicated event. Commissioner Lenarčič defines the high level of ambition ahead of the Knowledge Network, calling it “a reserve of expertise, innovative solutions, training and learning opportunities in civil protection and disaster risk management".
10 November 2021
Structure and organisation defined
After two years of consultations and negotiations with the UCPM Member and Participating States, the mandate and the organisational structure of the Knowledge Network is endorsed through Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/1956 of 10 November 2021. Read more about the governance structure.
13 March 2019
Legal basis in the UCPM legislation
During the 2019 revision of the UCPM legislation, the concept of the Union Civil Protection Knowledge Network is introduced, with an intention to build up the EU’s overall ability and capacity to deal with disasters.