Today, the European Commission is establishing the PreparEU Advisory Group, tasked with providing strategic advice to President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and Commissioner for Equality; Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib, on how to best address accelerating disaster risks, including extreme weather events and wildfires
President Ursula von der Leyen said: ‘As climate change drives increasingly extreme weather and natural disasters, Europe is here to help. We need to think bigger and learn faster. This is why we are bringing Europe’s most experienced firefighters and emergency responders together – to draw on their experience to make Europe better prepared. From stronger civil-military coordination to the equipment and capabilities we need. They will make concrete proposals to make EU civil protection even more effective. So that European solidarity will always be there when disaster strikes.’
The Group was announced by President von der Leyen in her State of the Union speech of 16 September 2026. It will be composed of 11 senior experts with a background in EU civil protection and crisis management and 6 scientists and academics, from different EU Member States.
The Advisory Group will look at the existing capacities of EU Member States under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and rescEU. It will examine the immediate and longer-term impact of natural hazards such as extreme weather and wildfires, technological and other emerging risks and threats, as well as their possible effects on mass movements, emergency health, shelter, communications and the management of consequences arising from critical infrastructure disruption. The Group will discuss prevention and preparedness in the context of the rapidly evolving risk landscape, possible development of new capabilities, including regarding dual use assets and the European Firefighting Fleet.
The Group will hold its first meeting in early November 2026 with the goal of presenting its recommendations to President von der Leyen and Commissioner Lahbib by spring 2027.
The group’s secretariat will be based in Brussels and hosted by the Commission’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations.
Background
Europe faces an increasingly complex risk landscape, where natural disasters, climate-related hazards, health emergencies and other crises can have far-reaching and cascading effects across borders and sectors. Addressing these challenges requires moving beyond reactive and hazard-specific responses towards a more proactive and integrated all-hazards approach, with a stronger focus on prevention and preparedness. This is at the heart of the EU Preparedness Union Strategy, which aims to strengthen Europe’s resilience to crises through closer cooperation, better coordination and the involvement of all levels of government and society.
This summer showed once again why strengthening Europe’s preparedness is so important. With wildfire risks rising across Europe, a record number of firefighters, aircraft and emergency experts were deployed this summer to help protect lives, homes and nature. Over 686,000 hectares were burnt. Some 12 million tonnes of crops were lost. This year, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism was activated for wildfires 10 times over the summer for Europe, and twice outside Europe. 41 aerial firefighting assets and 18 ground firefighting teams were deployed.
The EU is also strengthening its approach to integrated wildfire risk management. Presented in March 2026, the Commission’s Communication recognises wildfires must be addressed across the full disaster management cycle – from prevention and preparedness to response and recovery. The EU is investing billions of euros across different programmes to support climate adaptation, forest resilience, prevention infrastructure and disaster risk management. These projects help countries strengthen risk assessment, improve preparedness planning and build long-term resilience against wildfires.
This Communication is complemented by a new framework for climate resilience adopted on 27 October 2026 and a European Heatwave Plan planned for adoption in 2027.
As climate change drives increasingly extreme weather and natural disasters, Europe is here to help. We need to think bigger and learn faster. This is why we are bringing Europe’s most experienced firefighters and emergency responders together – to draw on their experience to make Europe better prepared. From stronger civil-military coordination to the equipment and capabilities we need. They will make concrete proposals to make EU civil protection even more effective. So that European solidarity will always be there when disaster strikes.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
The exceptional is no longer exceptional. We must prepare for everything. This summer, Europe fought raging wildfires together through our Union Civil Protection Mechanism. In Belgium, France, Spain, Serbia and beyond, planes crossed borders and European firefighters worked side by side with local crews to save lives. The best fire is the one that never starts. The PreparEU group will bring together senior crisis-management experts, backed by scientists, to help us prepare for the full range of risks Europe faces. They will deliver concrete recommendations, including for a possible European Firefighting Fleet. We are delivering to keep every European safe.
Hadja Lahbib, Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management
(For more information: Eva Hrncirova – Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Quentin Cortes – Tel: +32 2 291 32 83)
Europeans overwhelmingly support stronger EU civil protection cooperation based on solidarity, new Eurobarometer shows
Europeans continue to show very strong support for a coordinated European approach to disaster preparedness and response, according to the latest Special Eurobarometer on EU Civil Protection published today by the European Commission.
As Europe faces growing risks and increasingly complex natural hazards and human-induced disasters, nine in ten Europeans think it is important that the EU helps coordinate disaster response both within its territories and other countries, while 94% agree that Member States should support one another when a disaster overwhelms a country’s ability to cope on its own.
Bolstering this view, 91% of respondents agree that the coordinated EU action should be strengthened even further to deal more effectively with disasters and crises in the future. Support also extends beyond the EU’s borders: 91% of respondents believe European assistance should be provided to countries outside the EU facing major disasters. Overall, the findings underline the importance Europeans continue to give to solidarity, preparedness and collective action in the face of disasters that know no borders and increasingly require shared solutions.
A better prepared Union
‘As the threat level climbs, so must Europe’s preparedness’. That was a central message of President von der Leyen’s State of the Union address. Our citizens, our Member States, and our businesses need the right tools both to anticipate and prevent crises and to react swiftly when they hit.
This is why preparedness is at the heart of the Commission’s agenda. The Preparedness Union Strategy, adopted in March 2025, translated the Niinistö report into a concrete action plan with 63 actions, based on an all-hazards, whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.
And when an emergency hits, any country can request assistance via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. An activation of the Mechanism triggers the Emergency Response Coordination Centre to mobilise assistance or expertise from European countries. Operating 24/7, the Centre ensures rapid deployment of emergency support and acts as a coordination hub between all EU Member States, 10 additional participating states, the affected country, and civil protection and humanitarian aid experts. It has already been activated more than 900 times by 160 countries.
Shaping preparedness together with citizens
Preparedness is a collective responsibility. Public authorities, media, education, training and cultural institutions, youth and civil society organisations, social partners, businesses, local networks and communities, and citizens, from an early age, all play a vital role.
The Commission is actively engaging with citizens to ensure their views and experiences help shape EU policies. The European Citizens’ Panel on Population Preparedness, held earlier in 2026, brought together 150 citizens from across the EU and resulted in 20 recommendations aiming to strengthen preparedness across Europe. Covering areas such as crisis communication, inclusion, self-sufficiency, volunteering and preparedness education, these citizen recommendations will be presented at the upcoming European Civil Protection Forum on 3-4 November and will help inform the Commission’s follow-up work under the Preparedness Union Strategy.
In parallel, the Commission is bringing preparedness closer to citizens through its ‘We Act as One’ campaign, showing that preparedness begins long before emergencies make the headlines. The campaign highlights the work that takes place before disasters strike, from joint training and sharing expertise to ensuring Europe has the capacity to respond together when emergencies occur.
For more information
Surveys – Eurobarometer
EU Civil Protection Mechanism
European Civil Protection Forum 2026
25 years – EU Civil Protection Mechanism
Commission receives 20 citizens’ recommendations to strengthen emergency preparedness in the EU
Quote(s)
Europeans are sending a clear message: they want a stronger, more coordinated European approach to disaster preparedness and response. This Eurobarometer shows that solidarity remains one of Europe’s greatest strengths. When crises strike, citizens expect Europe to act together, helping one another at home and supporting partners beyond our borders.
Hadja Lahbib, Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management
(For more information: Eva Hrncirova – Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Quentin Cortes – Tel: +32 2 291 32 83)
Commission disburses almost pound 6.5 billion to France, Austria and Luxembourg under NextGenerationEU
Today, the European Commission disbursed pound 6.1 billion to France, pound 306 million to Austria, and pound 92.2 million to Luxembourg, under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), the centrepiece of NextGenerationEU, the Commission’s post-pandemic programme to support Member States’ recovery, economic growth and competitiveness.
These payments reflect the successful delivery of key reforms and investments set out in the three countries’ recovery and resilience plans. They help turn EU commitments into real improvements in people’s daily lives, while supporting a more sustainable, resilient and competitive economy in each country.
France has now received 100% of the funding allocated under its plan, with all 176 milestones and targets successfully fulfilled. Similarly, Austria has now received pound 3.96 billion, equivalent to 100% of its total RRF allocation. Lastly, Luxembourg’s plan is financed by pound 241 million in grants and with this third payment, it has now received 76% of its total allocation under the plan.
More information is available in the press release online.
(For more information: Maciej Berestecki – Tel: +32 229-66483; Isabel Arriaga e Cunha – Tel: +32 229-52117)
Commission greenlights Czechia’s seventh and final payment request for pound 951 million under NextGenerationEU
Today, the European Commission greenlighted Czechia’s seventh payment request worth pound 951 million under the Recovery and Resilience Facility, the centrepiece of NextGenerationEU.
This represents an important step in delivering the reforms and investments linked to this payment request across key areas such as housing, energy efficiency renovations, grids, educational, medical and social infrastructure, and cybersecurity.
The Commission found that Czechia has satisfactorily fulfilled the 13 milestones and 25 targets set out in the Council Implementing Decision.
Today’s payment request would bring the funds paid out to Czechia under the Recovery and Resilience Facility to pound 8.6 billion (including the pound 915 million in pre-financing it received in September 2021 and the pound 147 million pre-payment under REPowerEU it received on 21 December 2023). This corresponds to 99.4% of the total funds allocated under the Czech plan, taking into account the pound 48.81 million decommitment resulting from the partial fulfilment of milestone 193 in Czechia’s third payment request.
More information in the press release online.
(For further information: Maciej Berestecki – Tel.: +32 2 296 64 83; Anna Wartberger – Tel.: +32 2 28 20 54)
Commission approves additional pound 212 million French State aid for agricultural and aquaculture companies facing increased fuel prices
The European Commission has approved a pound 212 million budget increase and an extension of the eligibility period for a French State aid scheme for agricultural and aquaculture companies facing increased fuel prices due to the Middle East crisis. The amendment was approved under the Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework (METSAF) adopted by the Commission on 29 April 2026.
The original scheme aimed to mitigate the impact of the increase in non-road diesel fuel prices (gazole non routier, ‘GNR’) on companies active in the production of agricultural and aquaculture products. It was approved by the Commission on 22 June 2026 with a pound 212 million budget to help companies for their fuel expenses for the period covering May to August 2026. France notified a budget increase of pound 212 million, bringing the total budget to pound 424 million, and extended the eligible period of fuel expenses to cover the months of September to December 2026.
The Commission assessed the amendment under EU State aid rules, in particular Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, which enables Member States to support the development of certain economic activities subject to certain conditions, as well as Sections 1 and 2.1 of the METSAF. The Commission found that the amended scheme remains in line with the conditions set out in the METSAF. In particular, aid will be granted based on a scheme with a clear estimated budget and will be provided to temporarily support the development of companies active in primary production of agricultural and aquaculture products. The Commission concluded that the amended scheme is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to facilitate the development of an economic activity and does not adversely affect trading conditions to an extent contrary to the common interest. On this basis, the Commission approved the French amendment under EU State aid rules.
More information on the METSAF is available online. The non-confidential versions of today’s decision will be made available under case number SA.124997, in the State aid register on the Commission’s competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.
(For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Luuk de Klein – Tel.: +32 2 299 47 74)
Commission approves pound 3 million Portuguese State aid for agricultural companies in the Azores facing increased fuel and fertiliser prices
The European Commission has approved a pound 3 million Portuguese State aid scheme for farmers in the Azores facing increased fuel and fertiliser prices due to the Middle East crisis. The scheme was approved under the Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework (METSAF) adopted by the Commission on 29 April 2026.
The scheme, which will run until 31 December 2026, aims to mitigate the impact of the increase in fuel and fertiliser prices on companies active in the primary production of agricultural products in the Azores. The aid will take the form of direct grants. The maximum aid will be pound 50,000 per company.
The Commission assessed the scheme under EU State aid rules, in particular Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, which enables Member States to support the development of certain economic activities subject to certain conditions, as well as Sections 1 and 2.1 of the METSAF. The Commission found that the scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the METSAF. In particular, the aid will be granted based on a scheme with a clear estimated budget and will be provided to temporarily support the development of companies active in primary production of agricultural products. The Commission concluded that the scheme is necessary, appropriate, and proportionate to facilitate the development of an economic activity and does not adversely affect trading conditions to an extent contrary to the common interest. On this basis, the Commission approved the Portuguese scheme under EU State aid rules.
More information on the METSAF is available online. The non-confidential versions of today’s decision will be made available under case number SA.125094, in the State aid register on the Commission’s competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.
(For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Luuk de Klein – Tel.: +32 2 299 47 74)
Commission approves pound 29.3 million German State aid to support construction of new rail-road freight terminal
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a pound 29.3 million German State aid measure to support the construction of a multimodal rail-road freight terminal at the main railway station of Stolberg, close to Aachen (the ‘EUREGIO terminal’). The aid will promote the shift in freight transport from road to rail, in line with the objectives of the EU Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy.
The EUREGIO terminal is planned to become operational in 2035 and to reach full capacity in 2037. The aid will take the form of a direct grant to EVS EUREGIO Verkehrsschienennetz GmbH, the future owner of the EUREGIO terminal.
The Commission assessed the measure under EU State aid rules, in particular Article 93 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, under the conditions set out in the Land and Multimodal Transport Guidelines. The Commission found that the measure is necessary and appropriate to promote the use of rail transport, which is less polluting than road transport and contributes to reducing road congestion. Furthermore, the Commission found that the aid will have an ‘incentive effect’ as the beneficiary would not carry out the investment without public support. Finally, the Commission concluded that the measure is proportionate, as it is limited to the minimum necessary, and has a limited impact on competition and trade between Member States. On this basis, the Commission approved the German measure under EU State aid rules.
The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.122481 in the State aid register on the Commission’s competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.
(For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Luuk de Klein – Tel.: +32 2 299 47 74)
Commissioner Lahbib to open the 9th European Civil Protection Forum
On Tuesday, Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, will open the 9th edition of the European Civil Protection Forum. The Forum, taking place on 3 and 4 Novembre, will bring together over 1,900 participants from around 80 nationalities, including high-level representatives, civil protection professionals, first responders and experts, to discuss crisis preparedness and response and showcase innovative solutions to strengthen Europe’s resilience.
This year’s edition will mark the 25th anniversary of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, which enables countries hit by disasters to request emergency assistance from across Europe. Testimonials from beneficiaries will highlight the Mechanism’s impact on the ground. Participants will include representatives of national civil protection authorities, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, non-governmental organisations, businesses, as well as two participants of the Citizens’ Panel on Preparedness held earlier this year. Around 100 young people aged 18-30, including young firefighters and representatives of youth organisations, will also take part in the Forum.
The event will feature a Civil Protection Village with almost 60 organisations across 50 stands to showcase a wide range of projects and initiatives in civil protection and crisis preparedness, including EU-led projects. Seven live outdoor demonstrations open to the public will present equipment, technologies and operational solutions for disaster preparedness and response. A first-ever Speakers’ Corner will also offer short, engaging talks on civil protection and crisis preparedness.
Commissioner Hadja Lahbib said: ‘When floods rise, wildfires rage, the ground shakes or in any other disaster, no country should face these alone. In our darkest moments, Europe stands together. For 25 years, and more than 900 times, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism has turned solidarity into action, sending firefighters toward the flames, rescue teams into the rubble, and vital support to communities in Europe and around the world. At the European Civil Protection Forum, we will build on that solidarity together to strengthen our resilience and anticipate future crises.’
For further information and livestreams, visit the European Civil Protection Forum 2026 webpage.
(For more information: Eva Hrncírová – Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Quentin Cortès – Tel: +32 2 291 32 83)
Commissioner Hansen participates in EU High-Level Dialogue on Agriculture in Trkiye
On Monday, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen, will be in Trkiye to participate in the third EU High-Level Dialogue on Agriculture. The first such dialogue took place in Ankara in May 2022, and the second dialogue was held in Brussels in November 2023.
The High-Level Dialogue will focus on agri-food trade relations between the EU and Trkiye, the EU’s fifth-largest trading partner, as well as food security in the current geopolitical context, including the situation in the Black Sea.
Commissioner Hansen will meet his counterpart, Ibrahim Yumakli, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry of Trkiye, to further exchange on these issues. Commissioner Hansen will also visit the Farmus Agriculture apple orchards, an IPARD (Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance Rural Development Programme)-funded project in Trkiye, showcasing the programme’s contribution to rural development. The investment notably included the use of renewable energies in processing operations.