EU Civil Protection Mechanism: regions and cities call for stronger role

The growing frequency of natural and human-induced disasters, from floods and wildfires to health emergencies and geopolitical threats, demonstrates the need to give a voice to the cities and regions as first responders, members of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) said on 2 July.

In an opinion on the revision of the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) adopted at its plenary session, the CoR emphasised that local and regional authorities must be fully involved in all phases of disaster management. 

While Member States remain primarily responsible for civil protection, the opinion, which was drafted by Adam Banaszak (PL/EA), Member of Inowrocław County Council, underlines that societal preparedness and relief work is often carried out by local and regional authorities, not central governments. The CoR therefore calls for cities and regions to be fully involved in disaster-risk assessments at both national and sub-national levels, so that plans better consider the realities on the ground.

The CoR opinion welcomes the European Commission’s proposal to strengthen the Union Civil Protection Mechanism through a cross-sectoral and all-hazards approach. However, it underlines that rescEU capacities must be distributed strategically, considering the diversity of the regions and their proximity to the specific risks to ensure a fast and effective response.

CoR members also warn that the proposed budget may not be sufficient. They are calling for dedicated funding for local authorities that is reliable, accessible, and protected from being re-directed elsewhere. The opinion also calls for civil protection measures to be extended to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats, disruptions to critical infrastructure, and cross-border health threats. It also suggests stronger coordination with the Emergency Response Coordination Centre and greater recognition of volunteers.

In addition, the opinion argues that climate adaptation should be integrated into civil protection, with social vulnerability mapping made mandatory to ensure adequate support for at-risk groups. Finally, local and regional leaders underline the need for deeper research into disaster prevention and for new tools to tackle the causes of disasters and limit their effects, drawing on scientific evidence and experience shared between regions.

The opinion clearly underscores the importance of recognising diverse territorial contexts – such as outermost, island, border, and war-adjacent regions – and calls for sufficient flexibility in Union disaster resilience goals to ensure they effectively reflect to regional and local realities.

Quote:

Rapporteur Adam Banaszak (PL/EA), member of Inowrocław County Council: “Europeans rightly expect the European Union to play a stronger role in protecting them from the growing risks posed by climate change, natural disasters and an increasingly complex geopolitical environment. Building a more resilient Europe starts at the local level. Local and regional authorities must be fully involved in shaping resilience strategies and have direct access to EU funding to turn preparedness into concrete action for our communities.”

Background:

• Photos and videos from the plenary session.
• Follow the Press service account on X.
• The opinion adopted is one of a series of 20 opinions on which the CoR is working to assess specific aspects and regulations of the next EU long-term budget (2028-34): check the opinions' roadmap.
• The Mechanism aims to strengthen civil protection cooperation between the EU countries and 10 additional participating states: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Türkiye, and Ukraine. Any country hit by a disaster, in Europe and beyond, can request emergency assistance through the mechanism The Union Civil Protection Mechanism was activated 64 times in 2025 alone, responding to conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, wildfires in Greece, Spain, Bulgaria, Montenegro and Albania or the hurricane in the Caribbean region. Since its creation in 2001, the Mechanism has been activated over 830 times.

Contact:

Name: Ondřej Chlup

Tel: +32 228 220 79

Ondrej.Chlup@cor.europa.eu