SUNSHINE holds its Third Training Seminar in Timisoara

From 5 to 8 May 2026, 21 experts from Romania, Italy, Malta, and Estonia participated in the third Training Seminar organised by the SUNSHINE projectopens in new tab consortium. 

Held in Timisoara, Romania, and following previous editions in Estonia and France, the seminar marked the latest milestone in the project's capacity-building programme, which aims to equip national civil protection authorities with the knowledge and skills needed to integrate EU Space Programme data and services into disaster management operations. 

Over four days, operational responders and technical experts from across Europe deepened their understanding of how EU Space-based services can be woven into national disaster management workflows. The programme spanned the full breadth of the EU Space Programme, covering Copernicus, Galileo, Space Situational Awareness (SSA), GOVSATCOM, and IRIS², making the SUNSHINE Seminars the first-ever EU-level cross-cutting training to address all these components within a single operational framework dedicated to civil protection. Participants engaged with the material through a combination of lectures, hands-on workshops, expert-led sessions, and applied case studies. 

Particular attention was given to the practical use of the Copernicus Emergency Management Service (CEMS) data and services for preparedness, emergency response, and recovery activities, as well as to the Galileo Emergency Warning Satellite Service (EWSS) as a resilient, satellite-based channel for population alerting. 

The seminar was opened by Lucian-Vasile Mihoc, Brigadier General and head of the Timiș County Inspectorate for Emergency Situations, who welcomed participants and highlighted Romania's ongoing efforts to strengthen civil protection, underscoring the importance of leveraging the EU Space Programme to advance the safety of people across the European Union. The project team also extends its gratitude to the Polytechnic University of Timisoara for hosting the event and for its commitment to advancing European civil protection capacities. 

The event was met with a highly positive response from participants, with feedback and satisfaction rates reflecting the strong relevance, quality, and practical value of the programme. Attendees concluded the seminar as SUNSHINE Ambassadors and designated points of contact within their respective countries for future SUNSHINE opportunities, including bilateral exchanges, technical assistance activities, and upcoming simulation exercises. 

The SUNSHINE Seminar series will conclude with a final edition in Zagreb, Croatia, scheduled for 23–26 June 2026. The Expression of Interest to participate remains open and can be accessed hereopens in new tab. 

Seminar participants will also be eligible to take part in the second and final SUNSHINE Simulation Exerciseopens in new tab, planned for 6–7 October 2026 in Brussels, during which the knowledge acquired throughout the training programme will be tested in scenario-based operational environments. 

As part of its ongoing capacity-building activities, the SUNSHINE project will also host a full-day online technical webinar on 4 June 2026, which will focus on the application of Copernicus Emergency Management Service (CEMS) On-Demand Mapping products for floods and wildfires, alongside dedicated sessions on the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) and the European Flood Awareness System (EFAS). Interested participants can register hereopens in new tab.