The EU Global Threats programme is one of the European Union’s key initiatives to tackle major security threats around the world: from terrorism, organised crime, cyberattacks, and threats to maritime security, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) risks, and growing security risks linked to climate change.
Through a wide range of projects and facilities, we support partner countries and communities in building stronger institutions, preventing crises and promoting long-term peace and stability. The EU Global Threats programme is managed by the European Commission’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI), putting EU foreign policy into action.
The EU Global Threats programme covers five key threat areas.
The EU Global Threats programme is promoting peace and stability through multiple projects.
Threats don’t stop at borders. Discover where the EU Global Threats programme is active.
Visual stories
On 26 April 1986, the Chornobyl disaster released radioactive material across Europe, leaving deep scars on communities and the environment. Yet from this tragedy emerged a critical lesson: CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) risks know no borders, and only through cooperation can we prevent and prepare for such threats.
Over the past 15 years the EU has turned those lessons into action. Through the EU CBRN Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence, the EU has built a global network across 63 countries, united by a shared vision: global cooperation, responsible innovation, and adaptive governance.
In the spotlight
Each month, we feature one project from the EU Global Threats programme in our In the Spotlight section. This way, we highlight how EU action impacts people’s lives and translates into meaningful change on the ground.
This month, we’re focusing on EU CRIMARIO III, a multi-regional project strengthening maritime security across the Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia and beyond. Building on the IORIS information-sharing platform, the project enhances maritime domain awareness, inter-agency cooperation and operational coordination to counter piracy, armed robbery at sea, drug trafficking and other maritime threats.
Event highlight
The EU Crime Fighting Week 2026 brought partners together in Brussels to examine latest trends in organised crime and discuss how to ensure rule-of-law approaches and tech savvy responses. A week focused on action, trust and the rule of law. Fighting organised crime is not only a matter of enforcement, but also of legitimacy, public trust and institutional resilience.
Seven partner countries complete 6-year EU-funded project to enhance preparedness and response against dual use goods, key for non-proliferation and counter terrorism
- Threat area
- CBRN Risk Mitigation
- EU CBRN CoE Region
- NAS - North Africa and Sahel
Over 60 strategic communication officers and technical experts from six partner countries participated in three-day training programme to improve crisis response during large events
- Threat area
- CBRN Risk Mitigation
- EU CBRN CoE Region
- CA - Central Asia
Over 70 national experts completed a 4-day capacity-building programme featuring classroom instruction, field exercises, and a high-profile multi-agency simulation at the Port of Dar es Salaam.
- Threat area
- CBRN Risk Mitigation
- EU CBRN CoE Region
- ECA - Eastern and Central Africa
During the first meeting under the 2024 Italian Presidency of the G7 Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction (the Global Partnership), Heads of Secretariat spoke with one voice on behalf of 64 Partner Countries
- Threat area
- CBRN Risk Mitigation
- EU CBRN CoE Region
- AAF - African Atlantic Façade
- CA - Central Asia
- ECA - Eastern and Central Africa
- GCC - Gulf Cooperation Council Countries
- MIE - Middle East
- NAS - North Africa and Sahel
- SEA - South East Asia
- SEEE - South East and Eastern Europe
Running for two and a half years (January 2024 – June 2026), the EU-funded project will strengthen CBRN preparedness and response in the region
- Threat area
- CBRN Risk Mitigation
- EU CBRN CoE Region
- ECA - Eastern and Central Africa
