EU-RESPOND

Overview

Description

Host Nation Support (HNS) and Tabletop exercises (TTX) outside the EU are cornerstones of the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM), designed to strengthen preparedness and support national authorities in effectively receiving, integrating, and coordinating international assistance during major disasters. They ensure that Host Nations receive structured support—such as logistics, customs clearance, and operational coordination—while maintaining sovereignty over response efforts. By standardizing procedures, they enhance interoperability between European and partner countries, reinforcing collective resilience in crisis scenarios. 

The EU-RESPOND project (2025–2028), funded by the European Commission's DG ECHO, aims to strengthen HNS capacities through tailored TTX exercises outside the EU. The following consortium members will design, plan, conduct, and self-evaluate three HNS-TTX in Armenia, Saint-Martin and Tunisia: 

• TDS-Group – France (Coordinator)
• Resilience Solutions Resch (RSR) – Austria
• DGSCGC – France
• DGPC/IBZ – Belgium
• MIA Educational Complex (MIAEC) – Armenia

The project’s primary objectives are to:

• Provide information, resources, training and SOPs recommendations to Host Nations in effectively receiving, integrating, and coordinating international assistance.
• Improve coordination, communication reporting and operational cooperation between all stakeholders with a role in emergency response or host nation support activities.
• Improve Host Nation Support (HNS) procedures, interoperability, and preparedness at all levels.
• Test and improve UCPM response capacities, modules, TASTs’ and national response capabilities in all phases of the mission cycle.
• Provide a learning and capacity-building opportunity for all actors involved in UCPM interventions.