Today the Commission and High Representative launch the Preparedness Union Strategy to support Member States and enhance Europe's capability to prevent and respond to emerging threats.
\nIt comes as the European Union is facing increasingly complex crises and challenges that cannot be ignored. From growing geopolitical tensions and conflicts, hybrid and cybersecurity threats, foreign information manipulation and interference, to climate change and increasing natural disasters, the EU needs to be ready to protect its citizens and the key societal functions that are crucial for democracy and daily life.
\nConcretely, the Strategy includes 30 key actions and a detailed Action Plan to advance the Preparedness Union's objectives, as well as developing a ‘preparedness by design culture' across all EU policies.
\nPresident Ursula von der Leyen said: “New realities require a new level of preparedness in Europe. Our citizens, our Member States, and our businesses need the right tools to act both to prevent crises and to react swiftly when a disaster hits. Families living in flood zones should know what to do when the waters rise. Early warning systems can prevent regions hit by wildfires from losing precious time. Europe stands ready to support Member States and trusted partners in the neighbourhood to save lives and livelihoods.”
\nKey objectives and actions of the Strategy include:
\nProtecting Europe's Essential Societal Functions:
\nPromoting Population Preparedness:
\nEnhancing Crisis Response Coordination:
\nStrengthening Civil-Military Cooperation:
\nBolstering Foresight and Anticipation Capabilities:
\nIncreasing Public-Private Cooperation:
\nEnhancing Cooperation with External Partners:
\nOverall by taking a proactive approach to preparedness, the EU aims to build a more resilient and secure continent, better equipped to face the challenges of the 21st century.
\nBackground
\nThe Niinistö Report on Preparedness and Readiness of the EU concluded that strengthening Europe's civilian and military preparedness and readiness to address today's growing security challenges – in health, migration, technology security, climate, defence or the economy – is a matter of urgency. The report called for a profound change of mindset, and a shift in the way we understand and prioritise preparedness across the European Union. It also recognised that preparedness is not only a national responsibility but a shared European endeavour requiring stronger role for the Union in coordinating and supporting Member States in this area.
\nThe Strategy therefore focusses on an integrated all-hazards approach, a whole-of-government approach, which brings together all relevant actors, across all levels of government (local, regional, national, and EU) and a whole-of-society approach, bringing together citizens, local communities and civil society, businesses and social partners as well as the scientific and academic communities.
\nMoreover, working closely with Member States, the Union has the ability to face future crises – and can deliver substantial and effective solutions for citizens and societies. The events and risks the European Union went through in the last years, and the strong and efficient response to the COVID-19 pandemic - demonstrated how the close cooperation between the European Union and the Member States allows for better outcomes for people and societies.
\nFor more information
\nJoint Communication on Preparedness Union Strategy
\nAnnex of the Joint Communication on Preparedness Union Strategy
\n\n","pdfContent":null,"hasPdf":true,"pdfContentSize":51083,"language":"EN","dolaAvResources":[{"ky":123697,"title":"Read-out of the weekly meeting of the von der Leyen Commission by Roxana Mînzatu, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, and Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner, on the EU Preparedness Union Strategy","url":"https://ec.europa.eu/avservices/avs/files/video6/repository/prod/photo/store/store2/12/P066212-518666.jpg","reference":"P-066212/00-08","year":"2025","date":"2025-03-26T04:03:00.000+01:00","dolaAVType":"PHOTO","thumb":"https://ec.europa.eu/avservices/avs/files/video6/repository/prod/photo/store/store2/12/P066212-991416.jpg","isShareMedia":false,"isNMS":false,"copyright":null}],"dolaQuoteResources":[{"ky":62945,"author":{"ky":4546,"authorName":"Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission ","language":{"langCd":"EN"},"pictureUri":"https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/api/image/content/the-president-cards-author-nms-120x120.png"},"extract":"New realities require a new level of preparedness in Europe. Our citizens, our Member States, and our businesses need the right tools to act both to prevent crises and to react swiftly when a disaster hits. Families living in flood zones should know what to do when the waters rise. Early warning systems can prevent regions hit by wildfires from losing precious time. Europe stands ready to support Member States and trusted partners in the neighbourhood to save lives and livelihoods.","orderNb":1,"type":"TEXTEXTREA"},{"ky":62946,"author":{"ky":5769,"authorName":"Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission","language":{"langCd":"EN"},"pictureUri":"https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/api/image/content/kaja-kallas-cards-author-nms-120x120.jpg"},"extract":"Today we face an increasing number of external security challenges and a growing number of hybrid attacks in our common European space. It is clear that Europe must be stronger on all fronts and at every level of society. It is always better to prevent crises than to deal with their consequences. Our strategy is about building a comprehensive picture of the threats we face, preparing citizens including by improving their risk-awareness, stepping up civil-military cooperation, and working more closely with external partners, including NATO. Preparedness is a whole-of-government and whole-of-society challenge – today we advocate for a collective response.","orderNb":2,"type":"TEXTEXTREA"},{"ky":62947,"author":{"ky":5770,"authorName":"Roxana Mînzatu, Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness","language":{"langCd":"EN"},"pictureUri":"https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/api/image/content/roxana-minzatu-cards-author-nms-120x120-v2.png"},"extract":"This Strategy is for people and societies, to help ensure that when a crisis strikes, everything works as it should, and we are ready to act swiftly and effectively. For that, we need a new preparedness mindset so that everyone knows what to do in any emergency, no matter its nature. Europe must act with agility, working closely with Member States to boost efficiency, save time and save lives. This Strategy is our insurance policy, so we are ready to care of our people when they need it most.","orderNb":3,"type":"TEXTEXTREA"},{"ky":62948,"author":{"ky":5782,"authorName":"Hadja Lahbib, Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management","language":{"langCd":"EN"},"pictureUri":"https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/api/image/content/hadja-lahbib-cards-author-nms-120x120.png"},"extract":"Preparedness must be woven into the fabric of our societies — everyone has a role to play. Today’s threats are fast, complex, and interconnected; our response must be more proactive, more integrated, and more coordinated at European level. By harnessing the energy of our institutions, businesses, and citizens, we can build resilience and ensure Europe emerges stronger from crises.","orderNb":4,"type":"TEXTEXTREA"}],"attachmentResources":[],"linkResources":[],"dolaRLinkResources":[],"original":true,"etranslated":false},"languages":["BG","CS","DA","DE","EL","ES","ET","FI","FR","GA","HR","HU","IT","LT","LV","MT","NL","PL","PT","RO","SK","SL","SV"],"eTranslatedlanguages":[],"refCd":"IP/25/856","isSpeechWarning":false,"docutypeResource":{"ky":1,"code":"IP","description":"Press release","order":1},"contactsResource":[{"ky":23184,"firstName":"Eva","lastName":"HRNCIROVA","phone":"+32 2 298 84 33","mail":"eva.hrncirova@ec.europa.eu","order":1,"title":"Spokesperson","pictureUri":"https://commission.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_medium_no_crop/public/2024-12/Eva-Hrncirova.jpg"},{"ky":1416,"firstName":"Daniel","lastName":"PUGLISI","phone":"+32 2 29 69140","mail":"daniel.puglisi@ec.europa.eu","order":2,"title":"Press Officer","pictureUri":"https://commission.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_medium_no_crop/public/2024-12/daniel-puglisi.jpg"}],"placeResource":{"ky":1,"code":null,"description":"Brussels","order":null,"parentPlace":null},"eventDate":"2025-03-26","publishDate":"2025-03-26T12:22:49.000+01:00","countriesResource":[],"policiesResource":[{"ky":37,"code":"ICHACR","description":"Humanitarian aid and civil protection","children":[],"detCode":["3074","3057"]}],"commissionerResource":[{"ky":881,"code":"UVONDERLEYEN","shortDescription":"Ursula von der Leyen","longDescription":null,"orderNumber":1,"alternateCode":null},{"ky":2091,"code":"KALLAS","shortDescription":"Kaja Kallas","longDescription":null,"orderNumber":308,"alternateCode":null},{"ky":2095,"code":"LAHBIB","shortDescription":"Hadja Lahbib","longDescription":null,"orderNumber":312,"alternateCode":null},{"ky":2096,"code":"MINZATU","shortDescription":"Roxana Mînzatu","longDescription":null,"orderNumber":313,"alternateCode":null}],"isPriority":false,"isEmbargo":false,"isNoAlert":true,"originalLanguage":"EN","estimatedTimeReading":3,"globalImg":null}