Project 107: Phase 2 implementation of the CBRN Specialised Master’s for French-speaking African countries

Context

As a result of the increased use of CBRN materials over the last few decades, such as exponential industrialisation, new materials, globalisation of trade and increased movements in general, every country is facing a worsening CBRN threat, whether of natural, criminal or accidental origin. The recent examples of the COVID-19 pandemic, the explosion in the Port of Beirut and the container accident in the Port of Aqaba are fresh in everyone's mind. The African partner countries are no exception, with regular reports of disasters involving CBRN materials in various countries on the continent, including threats of epidemics, explosions during the transport or storage of chemical products, and the more than likely development of nuclear reactors in several countries on the continent. Training remains a key tool for preventing these threats and providing an appropriate and effective operational response. 

While several EU Member States have developed CBRN training courses leading to a diploma, there are currently no such programmes on the African continent. Project 107, or MANA-2, has been launched as a follow-up to project 086, MANA-1, in order to fill this gap and provide partner countries in Africa with more institutional and private sector professionals who possess a broad, cross-disciplinary and specialised vision of CBRN.

Overall objective

This project aims to develop the Specialised Master's programme by adapting it to major local CBRN risks and calling on trainers selected for their technical skills and operational experience, from European and African countries. The standards used, where they exist, will come from international organisations working in the field.

Concrete activities

• Production and development of a tailored training course.
• Selection of candidates after preliminary online training and interviews. This programme is intended for professionals working in administrations or companies that can play a key role in the CBRN field.
• Managing and leading logistics for the Specialised Master’s programme.
• Implementation of the Master’s programme: five two-week on-site training modules, four in Morocco and one in France together with a research project. 

Expected results

• Contribute to the mitigation of CBRN risks on the African continent by developing a pool of experts in the French-speaking countries of the EU's CBRN Centres of Excellence initiative.

Achievements

• The Master’s programme is being implemented, with some adjustements to take into account the feedback received from the previous phases, while some learning materials are being adapted.
• The content description sheets are being finalised; the list of trainers to be involved is being drawn up.
• The call for applications was launched through the National Focal Points: 53 applications were received and 38 candidates were admitted to phase II, who are taking distance learning courses (exams are scheduled for the end June 2025).
• The 25 successful candidates will begin training in September 2025 and complete it in June 2026.