A Community of Users for Secure, Safe and Resilient Societies

In a world facing growing risks from man-made and natural disasters, the security of citizens, infrastructure, and assets is a high priority for the European Union.

Community of Users

Watch our animation to learn how the exchange of information and practices can support those responsible for countering the various threats faced by Europe. 

Featured event

Publication: Mapping H2020 and ISF projects under 2014-2015 programmes

News

Information on the latest policy development

Policy Themes

Horizontal issues

Horizontal issues are important drivers for the further consolidation of the Community of Users and are a general fixture of the CoU meetings and workshops.

Disaster Resilience and crisis management

The human, ecological and economic costs of an accident can impact the whole of society. Therefore, it, is necessary to establish and apply safety and risk-reduction measures to prevent accidents and minimise any effects if they do occur. The Directive 2012/18/EU (on major-accident hazards involving dangerous substances) sets goal-oriented objectives for risk management.

Border security and customs

The development of new technologies to support border security is outlined/described in the framework of Examining the Creation of a European Border Surveillance System (EUROSUR). New capabilities are needed to enhance systems, equipment, tools, processes, and methods for rapid identification. At the same time human rights and privacy have to be respected.

Crime and terrorism

The European Commission is not in charge of operational activities in the fight against crime and terrorism but supports and facilitates the activities of security practitioners at EU level.

Food safety and security

Securing the food chains against major deliberate, accidental or natural CBRN contamination is another key concern and important security priority of the EU member states.

Societal resilience

The EU values societal resilience deeply and, therefore, aims at enhancing resilience both inside and outside the EU.

CBRNE threats

The CBRN Action Plan aims to make unauthorised access to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear materials as difficult as possible.

Health threats

Measures to protect human health cross many sectors and are considered in numerous EU policies and activities.

Critical infrastructure protection

The new approach to the European Programme for Critical Infrastructure Protection (EPCIP) is built on a review of the 2006 programme and the Council Directive 2008/114/EC on the identification and designation of European critical infrastructures and their protection.