The EU CBRN CoE Initiative

documentation The EU CBRN CoE Initiative

Launched in 2010, the European Union (EU) Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence (CoE) Initiative is the largest European civilian external security programme, funded through the Global Europe: Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI). The EU CBRN CoE Initiative aims to mitigate risks and strengthen an allhazards security governance in Partner Countries, following a voluntary and demanddriven approach. EU support is provided to implement a wide range of CBRN risk mitigation activities, including needs and risk assessments, national and regional action plans, trainings, trainthetrainer modules, tabletop and real time (including crossborder) field exercises. A National Focal Point (NFP) is appointed by each of the 64 partner

“Our solid cooperation (...) makes the world safer, even in these most challenging of times.”

Francesco Marelli, Head of Programme, UNICRI

countries and a CBRN National Team is tasked with the implementation of the initiative at the country level. NFPs report to and rely on a Regional Secretariat (RS) hosted and led by one of the partner countries in the region and supported by a UN Regional Coordinator. Each of the 8 Regional Secretariats benefits from technical CBRN On-Site Assistance (OSA) and from specific CBRN security governance support upon request. Since 2021, the initiative is led by the European Commission’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI), in close cooperation with the European External Action Service (EEAS). The European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC) provides technical support to Partner Countries, while the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) ensures a coherent and effective national, regional, and international cooperation. Other relevant international and /or regional organisations and experts also contribute to the Initiative.

The 8 Regional Secretariats of the EU CBRN CoE network