Expert groups and other meetings of the UCPM

Registered Commission expert groups

Registered Commission expert groups are consultative bodies set up formally by the Commission, or informally by Commission departments, to provide advice and expertise. They include public and private sector partners, who must be registered in the Register of Expert Groups (RegExp) and follow horizontal rules set out in Commission Decision C(2016)3301 establishing horizontal rules on the creation and operation of Commission expert groups.

ECHO currently has four active informal expert groups under the UCPM and one ‘other similar entity’, which involve Member and participating states’ authorities (public sector experts only):

• Capacities: Supports continuous improvement of the UCPM and functioning of emergency response capacities from a legal, policy and operational perspective, covering all technical aspects of the development and management of the European Civil Protection Pool. This includes the quality assurance process (certification and registration), capacity goals and gaps, adaptation grants, deployment of capacities and lessons learned in relation to capacities.
• Lessons learnt from the handled emergencies: Supports ECHO with identification and prioritisation of lessons learnt and good practices from handled activations under the UCPM, as well as with the identification of activities, roles and timeframes for the implementation of remedial actions. Coordinates the implementation of relevant lessons at the national level, and promotes and fosters exchange of views and experiences.
• Early warning and alert tools: Evaluates the early warning and alert tools for Civil Protection and the state of play in national administrations.
• Disaster Prevention and Risk Management: Provides advice on the co-development of knowledge for risk prevention and disaster risk management related policies to improve understanding of risk, build resilience (based on risk-informed approaches to policymaking), and contribute to smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. Fosters discussion and exchange of best practices in disaster risk prevention and disaster risk management to encourage coordination among Member States that are prone to similar types of disasters.
• Knowledge Network Board:  Advises the Commission in the management of the Union Civil Protection Knowledge Network (‘Network’), ensuring that the overall purpose of the Network is fulfilled together with its main objectives, in accordance with Article 13 of UCPM legislation (Decision No 1313/2013/EU). Among its main tasks is to advise on the strategic orientation of the Knowledge Network.

Civil Protection Committee

The Civil Protection Committee (CPC) is a Comitology committee, which assists the Commission in the exercise of its implementing powers. The CPC may create Working Groups to examine particular issues. These Groups are chaired by a representative from the Commission, and must report their analysis and conclusions to the CPC.

Currently, ECHO convenes two CPC Working Groups on Training Policy (which will be further covered by the Knowledge Network) and CECIS (the UCPM Communication and Information System).