On the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Union Civil Protection Mechanism and Union support for health emergency preparedness and response, and repealing Decision No 1313/2013/EU (Union Civil Protection Mechanism)
REGI-AD-784245
Committee on Regional Development · Rapporteur: Vladimir Prebilič
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The Committee on Regional Development proposes amendments to the proposed regulation on the Union Civil Protection Mechanism and Union support for health emergency preparedness and response. It calls for a permanent, interoperable European preparedness framework, "rescEU 2.0", with standing cross-border capacities, harmonised standards and stronger prevention duties.¶¶¶ The opinion asks for a reinforced and predictable budget, more funding for prevention and rapid deployment, and alignment with cohesion policy and regional development funds.¶¶¶ It amends many articles to give regional and local authorities a formal role as first responders, to recognise volunteers, and to address the needs of least favoured territories such as islands, outermost, border and mountain regions.¶¶¶ It adds rules on civil-military cooperation under civilian leadership, on early warning, evacuation and public warning systems, and on medical countermeasures and stockpiling.¶¶¶ It shortens risk assessment and reporting cycles from 5 to 4 years and sets a first reporting deadline of 31 December 2028.¶¶¶
Committee position. The Committee on Regional Development proposes amendments to the lead committees, calling for a permanent European preparedness framework ("rescEU 2.0"), a reinforced budget, a stronger role for regional and local authorities, and enhanced cooperation in civil protection.¶¶¶
Key points
- Calls for a political shift to "rescEU 2.0": a permanent, interoperable European civil protection preparedness framework with standing capacities and harmonised operational standards.¶
- Says voluntary coordination between Member States is no longer sufficient and that enhanced cooperation under Articles 20 TEU and 326–334 TFEU should be used.¶¶
- Asks for additional and predictable funding, with priority for prevention, readiness and rapid deployment, and for a significantly reinforced financial envelope for 2028–2034.¶¶¶
- Amends the legal basis to Articles 168(5), 196, 322(1)(a) and 349 TFEU, and adds a reference to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.¶¶
- Requires Member States to conduct and publish risk assessments in cooperation with regional and local authorities and share them with the Commission every 4 years instead of 5.¶¶
- Adds new recitals on least favoured territories, public awareness, local preparedness plans, volunteers, workers' rights and preparedness by design using digital tools and space systems.¶¶¶
- Requires civil-military cooperation to remain under civilian leadership and coordination, comply with international humanitarian law, and use military means only as a last resort.¶¶¶
- Establishes a Crisis Coordination Hub that complements the ERCC without taking over operational command, and requires structured communication with regional civil protection authorities.¶¶¶
- Adds definitions for civil-military cooperation, response, multi-hazard and ecosystem-based approaches, public warning, emergency evacuation and evacuation hubs, and local and regional authorities.¶¶¶
- Requires the Commission to develop Union disaster resilience goals with local, regional and national authorities and to report every 4 years on risks, capacities and gaps.¶¶¶
- Requires the Knowledge Network to involve regional and local authorities, support training and exercises, and promote public awareness and volunteer retention.¶¶¶
- Sets co-financing of up to 85% for outermost regions for actions under Article 4(2)(d) and Article 21(2), and up to 75% for other actions.¶¶
Who is affected
- Regional and local authorities, recognised as first responders and given a formal role in planning, risk assessment and preparedness.¶¶¶
- Least favoured territories, including outermost regions, islands, rural, mountain, border and sparsely populated areas, which get specific attention and funding.¶¶¶
- Volunteers and volunteer organisations, including firefighters, whose training, equipment and social protection are to be supported.¶¶¶
- Member States, which must conduct risk assessments, share summaries with the Commission and respect workers' rights in civil protection actions.¶¶¶
- Persons with disabilities, older persons, children and other vulnerable groups, who must have non-discriminatory access to information, assistance and protection.¶¶¶
Figures and deadlines
- Risk assessments to be shared with the Commission at least once every 4 years, instead of 5.¶¶
- First summary of risk assessments to be made available by 31 December 2028.
- Commission reports on disaster risks and on response capacities to be produced once every 4 years, instead of 5.¶¶
- A dedicated report on vulnerable regions, including islands and outermost regions, to be produced at least once every 5 years.¶
- Union support may cover up to 85% of costs for outermost regions under Article 4(2)(d) and Article 21(2).¶
- Actions under Article 4(2)(d) may be funded at a rate of up to 75%, and up to 85% for outermost regions.¶
- Member States may trigger the Union Mechanism in a four day period before an extraordinary weather event.¶
- The transitional period for the Union-level reserve of capacities is to be prolonged until 2034.¶
Legal basis: Articles 168(5), 196, 322(1)(a) and 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.¶