The European Commission on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, unveiled a new strategy that was aimed at strengthening crisis preparedness across the European Union.
It included plans to introduce lessons in schools on how to respond to emergencies.
Under the proposal, pupils across the EU would learn how to respond to crises such as natural disasters and cyberattacks.
The commission also proposed adding “preparedness’’ lessons to school curricula, equipping pupils with skills to counter disinformation and information manipulation.
The initiative was part of a broader strategy presented in Brussels, which still required approval from EU member states and the European Parliament.
According to the commission, Europe faces increasingly complex threats.
“From growing geopolitical tensions and conflicts, hybrid and cybersecurity threats, foreign information manipulation and interference, to climate change and increasing natural disasters.
“The EU needs to be ready to protect its citizens,’’ the commission said in a statement.
To address these challenges, the EU has outlined 30 “key actions’’ and a detailed Action Plan aimed at improving crisis response.
As part of these efforts, the commission proposed the introduction of an annual EU “Preparedness Day’’ and encourages citizens to maintain emergency supplies to sustain them for at least 72 hours in the event of a crisis.
Additionally, the commission aimed to establish an EU crisis hub to improve integration among existing EU crisis structures and enhance cooperation with external partners such as NATO.
“New realities require a new level of preparedness in Europe,’’ said Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen.
“Our citizens, our Member States, and our businesses need the right tools to act both to prevent crises and to react swiftly when a disaster hits,’’ von der Leyen added.
EU Crisis Commissioner, Hadja Lahbib, said: “450 million citizens. 450 million reasons to be better prepared.’’