Bertelsmann Stiftung (ed.)

Helena Quis and Goran Buldioski

The EU’s Preparedness Union: From Broad Ambition to Focused Action

Format Type
PDF
Date of publication
02/12/2025
DOI
10.11586/2025092
Edition
1. edition

Price

Free of charge

Description

Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, mounting grey-zone threats, and recurrent systemic shocks have exposed Europe’s deep vulnerabilities. The EU’s 2025 Preparedness Union Strategy is the first comprehensive effort to translate the idea of resilience into concrete action. Yet, by adapting a national concept to the supranational level without defining where the EU adds value, it risks losing focus and political traction. 

This Policy Brief argues that the European Commission should give the Preparedness Union clearer substance and direction to make it effecive. It outlines how Brussels can strengthen its contribution to European preparedness by grounding its approach in national realities, aligning with NATO’s resilience agenda, and leveraging its unique strengths to bolster societal preparedness and resilience. 

Related projects

Cover Building European Resilience and Security

Europe is entering a new era of global uncertainty. Our project develops sound analyses and recommendations to help the EU strengthen its resilience and security – by building new partnerships (i.e. with the UK), deepening ties with Ukraine, positioning itself geopolitically between the US and China, and engaging cooperatively in the MENA region. In addition, we put forward proposals to reinforce Europe’s resilience, with a particular focus on civil protection, critical digital infrastructure, and economic security.

Content contacts