EU - Civil Protection Mechanism, Work programme 2016

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The Work Programme 2016 for the implementation of the Union Civil Protection Mechanism has a budget of € 34,9 million

Civil protection

EU Civil Protection Mechanism

In 2001, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism was established in order to foster cooperation among national civil protection authorities across Europe. The Mechanism currently includes all 28 EU Member States, in addition to Iceland, Montenegro, Norway, Serbia, and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Turkey has recently signed the agreements to join the Mechanism.

The Mechanism enables coordinated assistance from the participating states to victims of natural and man-made disasters in Europe and elsewhere.

The operational hub of the Mechanism is the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) which monitors emergencies around the globe and coordinates the response in case of a crisis.

Any country in the world can call on the EU Civil Protection Mechanism for help. Since its launch in 2001, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism has monitored over 300 disasters and has received more than 200 requests for assistance.

The Mechanism also provides training programmes to civil protection experts, who can increase their ability and effectiveness in responding to disasters.

Work programme 2016

The Union Civil Protection Mechanism should protect primarily people, but also the environment and property, including cultural heritage and the consequences of acts of terrorism, technological, radiological or environmental disasters, marine pollution and acute health emergencies, occurring inside or outside the Union.

The Annual Work Programme 2016 for the implementation of the Union Civil Protection Mechanism has a budget of 34,9 million of euros:

  • 29,4 million of euros for disaster prevention and preparedness within the Union;
  • 5,5 million of euros for disaster prevention and preparedness in third countries.

The work programme covers actions that are eligible for financial assistance under the Mechanism in the field of prevention, preparedness and public awareness in 2016, such as: prevention projects, training exchange of experts programme and peer reviews.

Photo credit: EU Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection via Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND