The European Commission has published a new report on 'Advancing risk management and resilience-building in Europe', accompanied by a detailed Staff Working Document (SWD). The report marks the first progress report on the implementation of the Union Disaster Resilience Goals (DRGs) and the second update on preventing and managing disaster risk under the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM).
Adopted on 29 September 2025, the Report (and the detailed Staff Working Documents SWD1 and SWD2) assesses developments at both EU and national levels across four key areas: anticipation, population preparedness, early warning, and civil protection resilience. It draws on national submissions under Article 6 of the UCPM Decision and complements the earlier 2024 report on preventing and managing disaster risk.
Strengthening anticipation through data and scenarios
Under the DRG “Anticipate”, the report points to strong progress in planning for future risks at EU level. Ten EU-wide disaster scenarios have been developed, covering 16 natural and man-made hazards, to help improve preparedness and response planning. The Risk Data Hub, managed by the Joint Research Centre, also supports better use of shared data for cross-border risk analysis.
At national level, countries are gradually moving from analysing single risks to looking at multiple hazards together. More attention is being given to climate change, new and emerging risks, and knock-on effects, especially for critical infrastructure. Climate change is now widely seen as a key factor shaping future risks.
Boosting population preparedness
Population preparedness is still a major challenge. While awareness of disaster risks has increased, many people still feel under-prepared. Progress has been made at both Commission and national level to strengthen a culture of preparedness, including through more inclusive communication tools that better reach vulnerable groups, especially persons with disabilities.
Through the preparEU initiative, the Commission supports national efforts by sharing good practices, offering training and bringing practitioners together. The first Eurobarometer on preparedness, that was published in September 2024, confirmed low preparedness levels but also shows a strong demand for clearer information. In response, the European Commission adopted the Preparedness Union Strategy (PUS), with the objective to support national authorities in key preparedness actions, including rolling out school programmes, inclusive awareness campaigns targeting vulnerable groups and preparedness day.
Advancing early warning and civil protection resilience
Early warning systems remain one of the most effective ways to save lives. The report highlights the added value of EU-level tools such as the Copernicus Emergency Management Service, the Global Situation System, and the upcoming Galileo Emergency Warning Satellite Service, which will help authorities warn the public more effectively, including people in remote areas.
To strengthen civil protection resilience, the Commission and Member States have stepped up efforts to test emergency operation centres, improve how investments are planned, and expand the UCPM’s capacity-building support. Continued investment in both infrastructure and day-to-day operations is seen as essential to keep emergency services running during crises
Looking ahead
While the report confirms substantial progress across the EU, it also points to ongoing issues, including data gaps, differences in preparedness levels, limited comparability of national reports, and the need for better cross-sector and cross-border coordination. It reiterates the importance of whole-of-society and whole-of-government approaches to resilience.
The findings will support the implementation of the EU Preparedness Union Strategy, reinforcing Europe’s capacity to anticipate, prevent and respond to future crises.