The Knowledge Network’s vision is to strengthen the effectiveness and the efficiency of the collective civil protection and disaster management efforts in all phases of the disaster cycle of the UCPM. Its mission is to bring together civil protection and disaster management actors and institutions to improve the overall knowledge situation within the UCPM and foster the EU’s ability and capacity to deal with disasters. Within more analysis, the Knowledge Network builds on existing programmes and activities in the field of training, exercises, lessons learnt and knowledge dissemination, while adding new elements to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the collective civil protection and disaster management efforts in all phases of the disaster risk management cycle under the UCPM.

The thematic communities/centers of expertise will be multinational and multidisciplinary specialised groups with organisational environments that strive for developing high standards of conduct in the fields of capacity-development, learning, research and innovation in civil protection and disaster risk management. Also, they will bring together individuals (practitioners, researchers and experts) from institutions (national and local civil protection authorities, research centers, policy institutes, centers of excellence etc.) engaged in disaster prevention, preparedness and response. Additionally, the thematic communities/centers of expertise will pull together, develop, disseminate and exchange state-of-the-art knowledge and expertise, encourage scientific excellence, stimulate technological innovation, gear educational and learning goals, and support policy and decision-making in civil protection and disaster management. To achieve this, thematic communities/centers of expertise will focus on a specific natural or human-induced hazard (earthquakes, forest/wildfires, floods, medical emergencies/pandemics, CBRN threats etc.), cluster of hazards (meteorological, geophysical, hydrological, climatological, technological etc.), or a particular preparedness and response scenario (emergency medical response, search and rescue operations etc.) Focus is placed on common risks and joint priorities identified by the UCPM Member States, Participating States and the EU.

Its main objectives are to bridge across knowledge holders relevant to the UCPM, enhance coordination, cooperation, compatibility and complementarity between capacities and improve the competence of experts, collect and share knowledge, experience, expertise, skills, competence, lessons learnt, and best practices in close cooperation with civil protection authorities and disaster management authorities and knowledge centers. Main objectives are also the stimulation of research and innovation encouraging the introduction and use of relevant new technologies as well as strengthening the links between civil protection and disaster management actors and develop a shared understanding and a common culture of prevention, preparedness and response.

The activities that can be funded are related with research and studies, qualitative analyses, development and testing of new technologies and IT tools, simulations, workshops, seminars etc.