Work Programme 2021 of the EU Initiative on Health Security

This will enable tailor-made support to strengthen public health systems' preparedness and response capacities of the European Union candidate and potential candidate and the European Neighbourhood Policy partner countries, and improve health security in the European neighbourhood. ECDC has developed a comprehensive programme for 2021 to enhance regional cooperation in the fields of epidemic intelligence, rapid risk assessment, preparedness and response. The goal is to empower partner countries' professionals to better face the threats public health systems have to fight against. Several thematic events based on specific interests will be organised.

Planned activities will include: Training on Epidemic Intelligence and Rapid Risk Assessment; Advanced Training on Epidemic Intelligence; Workshop on Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans; Workshop on After Action Review; Workshop on setting-up Emergency Operation Centres and developing protocols for Public Health Emergencies; Cross border simulation exercise to test emergency preparedness and response plans.

Participation in 2021 activities is reserved primarily to professionals employed by the Ministries of Health and National Public Health Agencies (or similar). Nominated ECDC National Correspondent in each partner country will coordinate the participation of experts in the activities of the EU Initiative on Health Security.

Workshops, trainings, simulation exercises and other activities will have a duration between a minum of one and a maximum of 10 days, depending on the topic, and a limited number of attendees*.

Any further question regarding the EU Initiative on Health Security Work Programme 2021 should be addressed to: [e-mail]

*Due to current COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and pressure on public health systems, certain activities in the work programme might be organised remotely, cancelled or postponed. ECDC will be in touch with each partner country and update on any changes foreseen in the implementation of work programme.

More information:

Work Programme 2021 of the EU Initiative on Health Security

Current EU candidate countries are Albania, Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey.

Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo* are potential candidates.

*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/99 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.

The European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) is mainly a bilateral policy between the EU and each partner country and governs the EU's relations with its eastern and southern neighbours: Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Egypt, Georgia, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Moldova, Morocco, Palestine**, Tunisia, Ukraine.

** This designation shall not be construed as recognition of a State of Palestine and is without prejudice to the individual positions of the Member States on this issue.