Under Priority 1 (Risk assessments, anticipation, and risk management planning), this call for proposals will co-finance activities that aim to assess and quantify risks and/or prepare management plans for risks with a multi-country or cross-border impact. Proposals could either build on and/or expand existing risk assessments and risk management plans, or they could develop new risk assessment or plans. In addition, proposals aiming to enhance the availability of tools and guidelines on risk assessment, disaster loss data analysis, and risk management planning are also encouraged. Projects under this priority should follow a multi-hazard approach.

Under Priority 2 (Risk awareness), this call for proposals co-finances activities that aim to enhance risk awareness and preparedness of the population, including through increasing the overall level of risk awareness, prevention and preparedness measures amongst the population, improving public access to disaster risk information, and enhancing the culture of risk prevention and self-protection. Proposals aiming to increase the availability of tools and guidelines on raising citizens’ awareness on disaster risks are also eligible.

Under Priority 3 (Early Warning), this call for proposals will co-finance activities that aim to build and improve forecasting, detection and monitoring capabilities, as well as public warning and alert systems. Proposals should demonstrate that they build on previous efforts or that there is an identified gap for the action. Proposals which promote the use of new technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, are also encouraged.

Under Priority 4 (Wildfire risk management), this call for proposals will co-finance integrated projects that aim to develop or improve wildfire data collection and analysis, wildfire risks assessment, wildfire risk management planning, wildfire risk governance, and wildfire early warning systems (by building upon existing instruments such as the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) to the extent possible), including projects that promote the use of new technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence. Also, proposals aimed at raising public awareness, developing education and training material, and improving the understanding on the wildfire-related risks and prevention measures among key actors, are encouraged. Proposals should take into account aspects such as climate change impact on wildfire risk; fire weather forecast; fire propagation based on terrain, fuel and weather; social and behavioural elements, etc.

The overall objective of the Mechanism is to strengthen the cooperation among EU Member States and UCPM Participating States in the field of civil protection in order to facilitate coordination to improve the effectiveness of system for preventing, preparing for and responding to natural and man-made disasters. Any country in the world overwhelmed by a disaster can call on the Mechanism for help. By pooling the civil protection capabilities of the EU Member States and UCPM Participating States, the Mechanism can ensure better protection primarily of people, but also of the natural and cultural environment and of property, thereby contributing to more resilient societies.

Financial support to third parties is not allowed.