The European Union (EU) Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence (CoE) is a global Initiative funded and implemented by the European Union as part of its goal to promote peace, stability and conflict prevention. The aim of the Initiative is to mitigate risks and strengthen an all-hazards security governance in Partner Countries of the EU following a voluntary and demand-driven approach.
Supported through the European Union’s Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) – Global Europe, the Initiative represents the EU’s largest civilian external security programme.
A global network of cooperation
The CoE network brings together 63 countries that cooperate at regional and international level to strengthen CBRN risk mitigation and to promote a global culture of safety and security. Since the Initiative’s inception in 2010, each Partner Country have voluntarily joined the CoE network and contributed to it with their know-how, skills and unique experiences.
The CoE network supports the mitigation of and preparedness against CBRN risks by fostering good governance in the domain, enhancing regional and international multi-agency cooperation, and facilitating the transfer of best practices, among others. The bottom-up and demand-oriented nature of the activities carried out within the network, ensure that the support provided is sustainably tailored to countries’ and regions’ needs. Together, the CoE network members advance towards the shared goal of making the world a safer place.
Shared efforts against threats with no boundaries
International cooperation is essential in countering CBRN agents and materials, which know no boundaries. The EU CBRN CoE is led by the European Commission’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI), in close coordination with the European External Action Service (EEAS). The European Commission's 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 (CBRN professionals, practitioners, etc.) also contribute to the Initiative.
All partners engage within the CoE network to implement a wide range of CBRN risk mitigation activities including needs and risk assessments, national and regional action plans, capacity building activities, legal framework reviews, table top and real time (including cross-border) field exercises, as well as inter-regional exchange of best practices and lessons learnt.
The Centres of Excellence in action