SUNSHINE conducts First Simulation Exercise!

On 24–25 March 2026, the SUNSHINE projectopens in new tab consortium successfully conducted its first Simulation Exercise (SIMEX), hosted at the European Commission premises in Brussels. The two-day event brought together civil protection professionals from across EU Member States, providing them with a hands-on opportunity to apply EU Space data and services in realistic emergency scenarios. The exercise benefited from the active participation of representatives from seven EU countries. 

The exercise opened with a brief framing session recapping the SUNSHINE project's objectives and the operational context of the SIMEX, connecting it to the foundational knowledge acquired by participants during the previous Training Seminars held in Tallinn and Strasbourg. 

Building on that foundation, participants were placed in high-pressure, scenario-based environments designed to mimic real-life emergencies. Two crisis scenarios were tested: one involving a wildfire event and another one focused on a storm surge and flooding episode. In both cases, participants were required to use or activate EU Space data and services, analyse incoming data, and coordinate response efforts under time constraints - with the goal of improving operational efficiency and enabling faster, more informed decision-making during actual disasters. 

Crucially, EU Space data and services from Copernicusopens in new tab, Galileoopens in new tab, Space Situational Awareness (SSA)opens in new tab, and GOVSATCOMopens in new tab were integrated into a single simulation scenario for the first time, allowing participants to experience first-hand how they can work together to support decision-making during crises. 

Read more in the DG DEFIS Press Releaseopens in new tab.

Interested in participating in the next SUNSHINE SIMEX? 

Attendance at a SUNSHINE SIMEX is permitted only to participants in one of the Training Seminars. 

In this regard, the project is currently organising two additional seminars: 

• Timișoara, Romania (5–8 May 2026)
• Zagreb, Croatia (23–26 June 2026) 

These two events will extend the network of trained professionals across Europe, and allow them to participate in the second and last SIMEX on 6-7 October 2026. 

If you work in civil protection, emergency management, or disaster risk reduction, this is your opportunity to boost your skills, gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge EU Space tools, and help your organisation lead the way in using advanced technologies for disaster resilience. 

Submit your Expression of Interest to participate in an upcoming Training Seminar at: 
https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/SUNSHINE_TrainingSeminars_ExpressionOfInterestopens in new tab