Bucharest, 25–27 November 2025

The Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Initiative for South Eastern Europe (DPPI SEE), in cooperation with the Department for Emergency Situations of Romania, successfully conducted the workshop “Volunteering as a Pillar of Civil Protection” from 25 to 27 November 2025 in Bucharest.

This event brought together representatives of civil protection authorities, volunteer organizations, training centers, and relevant institutions from across the DPPI SEE region. The workshop explored the essential role that volunteers play in strengthening national civil protection systems and enhancing preparedness, response, and recovery capacities.

Over the course of three days, participants examined various models of organizing, training, and sustaining volunteer structures; shared national experiences and lessons learned; and discussed opportunities for stronger regional cooperation. Special attention was given to the integration of volunteers in response operations, cross-border engagements, digital tools for volunteer management, and approaches to maintaining motivation and long-term engagement within volunteer communities.

The workshop featured expert presentations, interactive group work, and field insights provided by the Romanian hosts, offering participants a deeper understanding of how volunteer systems contribute to resilient societies. The exchange of practical experiences highlighted the importance of structured volunteer engagement as a core component of modern civil protection systems.

This activity was implemented within the 2025 DPPI SEE Disaster Management Training Programme (DMTP), reinforcing DPPI SEE’s commitment to promoting regional dialogue, capacity building, and shared learning in disaster preparedness and response.

From 4 to 6 November 2025, the Sector for Emergency Management of the Republic of Serbia, Ministry of the Interior, in cooperation with the Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Initiative for South Eastern Europe (DPPI SEE) Secretariat, hosted the regional workshop on “Enhancing Risk Analytics and Assessment for Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management” as part of the DPPI SEE Disaster Management Training Programme (DMTP) 2025.

The workshop gathered 35 participants from DPPI SEE member states, including representatives of national civil protection authorities, technical agencies, and academic institutions, alongside experts from regional and international organizations.

The main objective of the workshop was to strengthen the regional understanding and application of risk analytics and assessment methodologies to support evidence-based decision-making in disaster risk management. Participants explored key concepts such as multi-hazard risk mapping, data standardization, interoperability, and geospatial information systems (GIS), while also sharing national experiences in the development of comprehensive risk assessments.

The three-day event combined plenary presentations, thematic sessions, and practical exercises, focusing on the integration of scientific data into disaster preparedness and planning processes. Discussions highlighted the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration, data exchange, and the harmonization of risk assessment practices across South-Eastern Europe, in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015–2030) and the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.

Through this workshop, DPPI SEE reaffirmed its commitment to supporting member states in advancing analytical capacities and promoting the use of technology and data in disaster risk management. The outcomes of the workshop will directly contribute to shaping the 2026 cycle of the DPPI SEE Disaster Management Training Programme, particularly in the thematic area of risk analytics and evidence-based preparedness.

The Secretariat expresses its appreciation to the Sector for Emergency Management of the Republic of Serbia for their excellent cooperation and hospitality, and to all participants for their valuable contributions and active engagement throughout the event.

From 27–29 May 2025, the DPPI SEE in partnership with UNICEF and hosted by Romania’s Department for Emergency Situations (DSU), convened a regional workshop in Bucharest focused on Child-Sensitive and Inclusive Emergency Preparedness and Response.

This important event, followed after signing the MoU in September 2024, brought together representatives from civil protection authorities across the region and UNICEF experts to explore how child-focused perspectives can be more effectively integrated into disaster risk management policies and practices.

Key highlights included:

• Alignment of national strategies with the European Preparedness Union Strategy and other EU and UN policies and strategies.
• Deepening understanding of UNICEF’s Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action.
• Experience-sharing from Romania, Croatia, and other member states on good practices in child-centered disaster preparedness and education.
• Group exercises and discussions to identify policy gaps and outline concrete action plans for 2025.

The event was opened by Dr. Raed Arafat (State Secretary and Head of the Department for Emergency Situations in the Romanian Ministry of Internal Affairs), Dr. Rade Rajkovchevski (Head of DPPI SEE Secretariat) and Mr. Michele Messina (Regional Emergency Advisor, UNICEF ECARO). It concluded with strong commitments to foster inclusive disaster risk reduction strategies that place children at the center of preparedness and response efforts.

We thank all our partners and participants for their valuable contributions and look forward to continuing collaboration in making our region safer for children.

We warmly acknowledge the exceptional efforts of Mr. Marian-Cosmin Bunoiu and Ms. Alina Tanasescu (Romanian DSU), Mr. Rekha Shrestha (UNICEF) and all our Romanian and UNICEF colleagues involved in the organization of this important event.

International Training and Demonstration Exercise on Mountain Rescue Held in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia 9-11 September 2025

From 9 to 11 September 2025, an international training and demonstration exercise on mountain rescue was successfully held at Hotel Špik in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia. The event was organized within the framework of the Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Initiative for South Eastern Europe (DPPI SEE).

The training was hosted by the Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief, in close cooperation with the Mountain Rescue Association of Slovenia, and represents Slovenia’s contribution to the 2025 Disaster Management Training Programme (DMTP) under the DPPI SEE initiative.

A total of 19 participants from 9 DPPI SEE member countries took part in the training. The primary objective was to provide participants with the knowledge and practical skills required for a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles and practices of mountain rescue operations.

As part of the programme, a demonstration helicopter rescue exercise was conducted in Mojstrana, showcasing real-life techniques and inter-agency cooperation in mountain rescue missions.

The training not only strengthened participants’ operational capacities but also contributed to regional cooperation and the exchange of expertise among civil protection and disaster management professionals in South Eastern Europe.

We are pleased to share that representatives of DPPI SEE took part in the Crisis Management Days 2025 conference, held from 3–4 June 2025 in Opatija, Croatia. Organized by the University of Applied Sciences Velika Gorica and partners (including Ministry of Interior - Civil Protection Directorate), this annual event gathers leading professionals, researchers, and practitioners in the fields of crisis and disaster management.

As this event was part of its Disaster Management Training Programme (DMTP), DPPI SEE contributed to the conference through the participation of representatives from its member states. Additionally, the Head of the DPPI SEE Secretariat took part as a speaker in the panel titled “The European Union's Security and Defence Policy: Challenges and Opportunities,” offering insights into regional experiences, strategic directions, and the evolving civil protection landscape in South-Eastern Europe.

Our participation reflects DPPI SEE’s ongoing commitment to regional cooperation, knowledge exchange, and alignment with the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) and UN efforts in disaster risk reduction. The event provided an important platform for dialogue on building more resilient and better-prepared societies.

The Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Initiative for South-Eastern Europe (DPPI SEE) proudly took part in the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GPDRR) 2025, held in Geneva, Switzerland between 2-6 June 2025, under the auspices of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).

Representatives of the DPPI SEE Secretariat, together with national delegations from its Member States, actively engaged in the Platform’s high-level sessions, including thematic panels, plenary discussions, and ministerial meetings. Their participation reflected the region’s strong commitment to the implementation of the regional approach in disaster prevention and preparedness, as well as the promotion of coordinated and collaborative approaches to resilience-building.

Throughout the event, DPPI SEE Secretariat and member states:

• Contributed to discussions on disaster risk governance, preparedness, early warning, and anticipatory action.

• Shared regional experiences on inter-agency coordination, cross-border cooperation, and capacity-building for disaster risk management.

• Highlighted the added value of regional mechanisms such as DPPI SEE in enhancing collective disaster preparedness and prevention efforts.

• Engaged with international partners and stakeholders to foster new opportunities for technical cooperation and investment in disaster risk reduction.

Participation in GPDRR 2025 reinforced the strategic importance of regional solidarity and knowledge exchange in disaster risk reduction and confirmed the relevance of DPPI SEE’s mission to serve as a platform for cooperation, innovation, and shared responsibility in South-Eastern Europe.

The Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Initiative for South-Eastern Europe (DPPI SEE) successfully co-hosted the regional workshop on "Stress Management in Response to Natural and Other Disasters", held in Ljubljana, Slovenia, from 16 to 18 December 2024.

Organized by the Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief, this workshop was a valuable contribution to the DPPI SEE’s Disaster Management Training Programme for 2024.

Workshop Highlights:

• Empowering participants with strategies for managing stress effectively during crises.
• Enhancing skills in psychological support for rescuers and decision-makers.
• Addressing sensitive topics, including coping with grief, suicide in rescue units, and fostering personal growth post-crisis.
• Providing individual and peer support for psychological preparedness in disaster response.

The workshop brought together providers and organizers of psychological support services, rescuers in need of assistance, and decision-makers from DPPI SEE member countries.

DPPI SEE, in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior, Sector for Emergency Management of Republic of Serbia, was proud to host the workshop on "Emergency Management and Cross-Sector Coordination with a Focus on Forest Fires", from October 8 to 10, 2024, in Belgrade, Serbia. Attending member states include: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania and Serbia.

The event brought together a diverse group of colleagues from the field of civil protection and disaster risk reduction, including local government officials and emergency response teams through which the attendees gained crucial insight from both, administrative and practical aspects of managing emergency situations caused by forest fires. The primary objective was to facilitate discussion and exchange experiences and common practices among various member state sectors in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from forest fire incidents. Participants engaged in discussions on best practices, shared experiences, and identified gaps in current emergency management protocols through their respective presentations.

The workshop featured several keynote speakers who provided valuable insights into effective emergency management strategies. Topics covered included the importance of real-time data sharing, the role of community engagement in disaster preparedness, and the integration of technology in firefighting efforts. Group sessions allowed participants to brainstorm solutions to specific challenges, such as coordinating evacuation plans and improving communication between agencies. The interactive format fostered a spirit of collaboration, leading to the development of actionable recommendations tailored to the unique needs of the region.

As a result of the workshop, attendees expressed a renewed commitment to strengthening cross-sector coordination in forest fire management. The insights gained and connections made during the workshop will be invaluable in enhancing community resilience and ensuring that all stakeholders are better prepared to address the challenges posed by forest fires in the future.

The one-and-a-half-day workshop titled “Incident Command Systems in South-Eastern Europe – Tools and Procedures for Interaction of Emergency Services” was held on 20-21 November 2024 in Zagreb, Croatia. This event was jointly organized by the Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Initiative for South-Eastern Europe (DPPI SEE) and RACVIAC (Centre for Security Cooperation).

During the workshop, participants engaged in discussions addressing the challenges and opportunities of coordinating national Incident Command Systems (ICS) across South-Eastern Europe.

The workshop focused on enhancing regional cooperation in disaster preparedness and response, fostering alignment with Euro-Atlantic standards.

The event provided a valuable opportunity to share tools, procedures, and best practices essential for effective interaction between emergency services during large-scale disasters.

The Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in collaboration with the Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Initiative of South-Eastern Europe (DPPI SEE), held a workshop titled "Preparation of Project Proposals in the Field of Protection and Rescue, and Application to Available EU Funds - Exchange of Experiences" on 25-26 September
2024, in Jahorina.
In addition to representatives from various levels of the host country, the workshop welcomed participants from DPPI SEE member states, including Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, and Slovenia, as well as representatives from the European Commission’s DG ECHO. The workshop aimed to provide a platform for participants from DPPI SEE countries to showcase best practices and exchange experiences in project development. Key discussions revolved around the challenges civil protection authorities face—from conducting institutional needs assessments and identifying relevant project topics, to writing applications and establishing project consortiums.
During the second part of the workshop, participants were divided into four working groups. Each group selected a relevant project topic, navigated application procedures, adhered to defined timelines and milestones, and presented their brief project proposals.

The DPPI SEE Secretariat and its member states actively contributed as panelists and representatives in various panels and meetings, including the Ministerial Meeting at the Europe & Central Asia Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, held in Budva from November 6–8, 2024.

The Head of the DPPI SEE Secretariat delivered the opening speech for the panel “Road to Resilience: Children and Youth in Action,” where he emphasized DPPI SEE's role in fostering a child- and family-sensitive regional approach in disaster risk management and civil protection. He also announced the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between DPPI SEE and UNICEF, highlighting seven new collaborative activities planned under this partnership over the next two years.

Additionally, the DPPI SEE Secretariat participated in the MCR2030 Regional Coordinating Committee and in the session, “Towards a Network of Networks: Connecting Sub-Regional Hubs in Europe and Central Asia Region for Accelerating DRR.” The Head of the Secretariat also contributed to the European Commission Workshop on Regional Cooperation in Disaster Risk Management, presenting DPPI SEE’s perspective on regional collaboration in this field.

At the Ministerial Meeting, the Head of DPPI SEE Secretariat underscored its unique role as a prominent sub-regional hub in South-Eastern Europe, enhancing capacity across the region by integrating similarities and balancing differences among the ten national civil protection authorities. He highlighted DPPI SEE’s Disaster Management Training Program (DMTP), which organizes joint training, exercises, and activities to build a holistic approach in disaster preparedness and prevention through cross-sectoral support and interdisciplinary collaboration.

The Head further outlined DPPI SEE’s recent efforts to expand its activities and partnerships, including with UNICEF, UNDRR, UNDP, the Sphere Secretariat, DHL, RCC, RACVIAC, the Council of Europe, and others. He closed by emphasizing DPPI SEE’s vision for a stronger, more resilient region, where member states play a larger role in providing assistance and expertise across Europe and beyond.

The workshop organized by Sector for Emergency Management of the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Serbia and implemented within DPPI SEE’s Disaster Management Training Programme for 2024 gathered representative from eight DPPI SEE countries and other representatives from energy company “NIS” a.d., Red Cross of Serbia and Association of speleological organizations in Serbia. 

The workshop emphasized the importance of collaboration between civil protection authorities and external partners. Discussions centered on developing effective partnerships to enhance disaster prevention, preparedness and response, showcasing successful case studies from DPPI SEE countries. Key topics included the critical role of external partners in disaster risk management and the need for resilient infrastructure and comprehensive framework in dealing with emergencies and disasters. Additionally, the workshop examined current institutional setup, policies and legislative frameworks, recommending improvements to support and integrate private-public partnerships into national disaster management strategies. 

The workshop resulted in a commitment to strengthen and expand private-public partnerships among participating countries and organizations, with the formation of new collaborations aimed at enhancing regional disaster preparedness. Participants assessed the current achievements and approaches in developing private-public partnership in disaster risk management and formulated actionable measures and recommendations, focusing on improved coordination, communication, and resource-sharing, serving for capacity building within the DPPI SEE network, planning future workshops and joint exercises. Enhanced networking and knowledge exchange fostered a community of practice in disaster risk management, with an agreement to advocate for policy changes supporting institutionalized private-public partnerships at national and regional levels.

From May 13 to 17, 2024, the "Basic Training for Rescue Dogs and Dog Handlers" took place in Jagodina, Republic of Serbia. This training was a collaborative effort between the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Slovenia as part of the Disaster Management Training Programme for 2024. It was organized by the Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief and the Sector for Emergency Management of the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Serbia.
The training aimed to equip participants with basic knowledge and skills for working with young dogs and to introduce them to emergency situations such as earthquakes, explosions, collapsing buildings, and open area searches for injured or missing persons. It included both theoretical and practical components and was conducted at the abandoned "Juhor" AD company building and in the Kučaj-Beljanica National Park.
The event was attended by 20 experts from seven DPPI SEE countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, and Slovenia.

The first ever full scale simulation exercise within DPPI SEE is completed. DPPI FLEX 2023 was held between 23-27 October 2023 in Brcko, Bosnia and Herzegovina with participation of all 10 DPPI SEE member states. The exercise was organized in close coordination with the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina - Sector for Rescue and Protection and Brcko District Department for Public Security. Drone flying operations, data management, solving logistics problems regarding incoming humanitarian assistance and camp management where the topics of the exercise all of them combined in one scenario. The activation of the Union Civil Protection Mechanism was used to coordinate the incoming assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina. This process was also supported by deploying a EUCPT, again composed of members from the DPPI SEE member states ( and one Liaison Officer from ERCC). The OSOCC had a specific task having in mind the above mentioned operations (drones, logistics, camp management). Therefore 3 cells were created within the OSOCC covering each of the segments. Some of the immediate lessons identified are towards STANDARDIZATION - what is a drone team? technical and personal requirements? FLEXIBILITY - the exercise required splitting of the teams and COMMUNICATION - key element in planning and implementing the exercise especially when new technologies and approaches are implemented.

Image Gallery

The aim of this workshop was the exchange of experiences and practices between member countries of the DPPI SEE, which are, among other things, navigating through the procedures of  providing, transiting and receiving international aid during emergencies in 2023. The discussion, presentations and the exchange of information of all member countries regarding the organization of the entire process of managing the procedures for providing, transiting and receiving international aid during natural disasters in 2023 gave clear insight into their respective capacities and capabilities in times of crisis, as well as further possibilites for improvement. Where, on the unfortunate examples of catastrophes that struck Turkey and Slovenia, which were affected by a devastating earthquake and floods, we could see all the advantages and disadvantages during the provision, transit and reception of aid. The experiences that the participants shared with their colleagues through their presentations are of great importance for the further development of protection and rescue.

Colleagues attending the workshop that were present during the DPPI FLEX 2023 shared their insights of some of the objectives that were in focus during the exercise. The main topics that were discussed, touched upon the operational capacities and coordination between of teams coming from DPPI member states, as well as coordination of activities through the UCPM and ERCC. Through FLEX 2023, participants gained first hand experience regarding the logistics of following procedures and guidelines related to HNS, EUCPT and SPHERE.