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In recent years, the EU and its member states have been confronted with a drastically changed security environment: hybrid attacks against critical infrastructure, disinformation campaigns, a rise in organised crime, a high influx of mixed migration flows, and an elevated threat of terrorist attacks are straining Europe’s resilience. To respond to these manifold challenges, civil preparedness is more essential than ever before.
The Niinistö report underlines the necessity of a whole-of-government, whole-of-society, all-hazards approach to effectively respond to a wide range of threats, from cyberattacks to natural disasters. A crucial pillar of this approach is preparing and informing citizens about risks, thereby enhancing individual responsibility and readiness. In this regard, the EU and Germany can take inspiration from the successful communication strategies of countries like Sweden and Finland, which are regarded as frontrunners in comprehensive security.
At the European level, the current Commission has already brought defence, civil preparedness, and internal security together. Building on existing frameworks such as the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and rescEU is vital, but further work is needed to advance towards a true Preparedness Union. In parallel, building on the closer cooperation between NATO and the EU in recent years, greater efforts are required to strengthen civil-military cooperation. While Germany has led important conceptual groundwork — such as the recently updated Framework Guidelines for Total Defence (2024) — enhancing institutional readiness and strengthening public-private partnerships remains a challenge.
