EMBRACE at Disaster Resilience Days 2026: Contributing to Europe's Evolving Preparedness Agenda
The EMBRACE project was proud to participate in this year's Disaster Resilience Days. Organised on 30 June to 02 July in Brussels by CERIS, Disaster Resilience Days is a key European event bringing together policymakers, researchers, practitioners and innovators to discuss the future of disaster resilience, preparedness and crisis response.
Over several days, participants explored emerging technologies, shared best practices and discussed how Europe can strengthen its ability to anticipate, prepare for and respond to complex crises. Through keynote presentations, panel discussions, live demonstrations and a project exhibition, the event provided an important platform for collaboration across sectors and disciplines.
A new direction for European preparedness
The first day set the scene by placing ongoing research and innovation projects within the broader context of the European Preparedness Strategy. Discussions focused on the recently published Joint Research Centre (JRC) report, Strengthening European Union's Future Disaster Resilience, which introduces a capability-based approach to identifying and addressing preparedness gaps across the Union.
This approach was consistently reinforced by keynote speakers from DG HOME, DG ECHO and the Joint Research Centre, highlighting a significant evolution in how preparedness capabilities will be assessed and prioritised in the years ahead. The capability framework is expected to play an important role in shaping future investment priorities under the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), influencing the direction of future Horizon Europe research and innovation activities.
For projects such as EMBRACE, this represents an important opportunity to demonstrate how ongoing research directly contributes to Europe's long-term preparedness objectives.
Where EMBRACE contributes
Throughout the event, the EMBRACE team engaged with experts and stakeholders to explore how the project's solutions align with the capability gaps identified in the JRC report.
By developing innovative approaches to biotoxin preparedness, strengthening cooperation between responders and experts and supporting faster situational awareness during biological incidents, EMBRACE directly contributes to enhancing Europe's operational preparedness for complex CBRNe emergencies.
While the capability mapping process has only just begun, Disaster Resilience Days marked an important milestone in understanding how individual Horizon Europe projects can collectively strengthen European resilience.
Looking ahead
The conversations do not end with the conference. Several follow-up meetings are already planned with experts from the CERIS Experts Group to begin mapping research projects against the capability gaps identified in the JRC framework. These discussions will help demonstrate how innovative solutions developed through Horizon Europe can support the European Union's future preparedness priorities.
For EMBRACE, participating in Disaster Resilience Days was more than an opportunity to showcase project achievements. It was a chance to contribute to an important strategic discussion on how Europe can build stronger preparedness capabilities, foster greater collaboration and ensure that research and innovation translate into practical solutions for crisis response.
As European preparedness continues to evolve, EMBRACE remains committed to supporting a safer, more resilient Europe through innovation, collaboration and scientific excellence.