Project 106: TEST - CBRN Tabletop and Field Exercises, Simulations, Trainings to Mitigate Risks

Context

The inadequate control over high-risk chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) materials that pose a danger to the security of populations, especially to people living in vulnerable situations and to the environment, continues to raise serious concern in all the countries targeted by the EU CBRN Centres of Excellence (CoE) Initiative. In a globalised world characterised by rapid and extensive circulation of persons and goods, cooperation in this field is crucial. The project aims at building on the previous successes of the CBRN CoE Initiative by strengthening the skills acquired in previous projects and enhancing the participants’ knowledge with different types of equipment and scenarios.

Overall objective

The project aims to improvethe preparedness, detection of, response and mitigation against risks related to CBRN materials and associated installations or sites in Partner Countries (PC) as well as to enhance cooperation among CBRN stakeholders. 

The project will have an on-demand format, in which PCs will be able to request assistance based on the needs identified by the project team in a bottom-up context analysis.

Specific objectives

• To enhance capacities of PCs to establish and/or enhance the CBRN risk mitigation and security governance.
• To facilitate the strengthening of cooperation in CBRN risk mitigation area among CoE PCs intra- and inter-regionally for exchanging best practices and lessons learnt.
• To increase the capacity of PCs to address safety and security challenges related to CBRN threats.

Concrete activities

• Planning of exercises based on the requests received by the CBRN CoE PCs.
• Drafting of scenarios tackling the most typical incidents in C, B and RN.
• Organisation of preparatory meetings with the PCs’ exercise planning team.
• Organisation of different types of exercises such as tabletop, command post and field exercises.
• Support to the training of local experts identified by PCs.

Expected results

• Strengthened capacities of PCs in detection, response, and mitigation of CBRN threats through tailored tabletop and field exercises.
• Supported at least 55 countries in implementing obligations under international CBRN treaties by project end.
• Increased knowledge of over 2,500 officials and experts on CBRN risk mitigation through regional and national-level training.
• Enhanced implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) based on lessons learnt during scenario-based exercises and improvement workshops.
• Created at least 8 transregional exercise events to promote regional and cross-regional cooperation on CBRN threats.
• Supported the development of incident-specific response plans in coordination with national authorities and civil protection agencies.

Facilitated joint training programmes to foster harmonised response approaches and knowledge sharing among CoE PCs.

Achievements

• 149 experts and officials trained in Cambodia, Zambia, Liberia, and Sierra Leone in operational, legal, and technical CBRN response.
• 4 countries (Cambodia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Zambia) have received tailored improvement recommendations and SOP development support.
• Cambodia reported the use of ASEAN SOPs following a successful field exercise.
• Successfully implemented tabletop exercises (TTX), drills, and field exercises (FX) in Cambodia, Zambia, Liberia, and Sierra Leone; with positive feedback and improved national coordination.
• Developed reusable exercise guidelines and scenarios to standardise CBRN response training across partner countries.
• Facilitated multi-agency cooperation and information-sharing protocols in countries with previously limited coordination (e.g. Liberia, Sierra Leone).
• Enhanced strategic engagement with regional networks and institutions (e.g. ASEAN, UNICRI, EU Delegations).
• Built momentum for upcoming cross-border and transregional field exercises in Moldova, Uzbekistan, and Morocco.