Building a resilient Europe
Europe's ability to cope with future crises—such as climate disasters, pandemics, or geopolitical challenges—depends on strong population preparedness.
This is why the European Commission initiated its EU Preparedness Union Strategy, emphasising the crucial role of citizens and local organisations in building resilient societies.
As of March, 150 randomly selected citizens from all 27 EU Member States will gather in a panel to deliberate the key questions:
- How can all European citizens be empowered and better prepared for crises?
- How do we ensure that the actions and initiatives of the EU Preparedness Union Strategy are inclusive, effective, and respond to the needs of all citizens?
What to expect from the Citizens' Panel
The panel consists of three sessions where participants will share their experiences, ideas, and perspectives on preparedness, contributing valuable input for the implementation of the EU Preparedness Union Strategy.
Through structured discussions, participants will explore initiatives like citizens’ risk awareness, risk communication, and education strategies, aimed at strengthening preparedness across the continent.
Discussions are supported by experts, facilitators, and interpreters to ensure comprehensive understanding and collaboration. By the end, a collective vision and set of priorities will be formulated and submitted to the European Commission, aiming to foster inclusive, meaningful, and effective actions that resonate with citizens' needs.
Timeline
The European Citizens’ Panel on Preparedness takes place over three weekends between March and May 2026.
- 20-22 MarchSession 1 - Brussels
- Introduction to the Preparedness topic.
- Exchange of first ideas that participants find most promising.
- 24-26 AprilSession 2 - online
- Stocktaking of Session 1 and development of ideas by theme and topic.
- First phase of developing recommendations.
- 22-24 MayClosing Session - Brussels
- Drawing conclusions of debates and recommendations to the European Commission.
- Explanation of next steps – impact on policymaking.
Preparedness: Europe's collective responsibility
With crises becoming more frequent and intense, it is vital that the EU and Europeans are equipped to prepare, adapt, and respond effectively.
Preparedness involves measures to anticipate crises, including early action, understanding potential risks, and collaborating to mitigate impacts.
By fostering awareness and cooperation between civilian, governmental, and private sectors, Europe can bolster its resilience in the face of crises.
The panel will discuss building a culture of preparedness through education and awareness initiatives, empowering citizens to be first responders and active participants in crisis management.
The focus will be on strategies that span aspects like health, civil society support, and media literacy, addressing the challenges of vulnerable groups and developing leaders across communities.
Incorporating the panel’s input into the EU Preparedness Union Strategy will be pivotal in transitioning Europe towards heightened readiness and resilience.
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