Source: European Parliament
In the preparedness union strategy[1], one of the key actions is to ‘embed preparedness by design into EU policies and actions’. This means that preparedness and security considerations will be integrated and mainstreamed across EU legislation, policies and programmes.
Under the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM)[2], the Commission provides funds for emergency shelter capacities through rescEU[3]. These reserves consist of high-quality emergency shelter units, including light prefabricated structures, flat-pack containers, and emergency tents.
In addition, the Commission co-finances the voluntary commitment of national shelter capacities to the European Civil Protection Pool[4] under the UCPM.
Furthermore, under 2021-2027 cohesion policy programmes, investments for civil preparedness including shelters may be eligible subject to the compliance with the specific objectives set out in EU legislation, including in former coal mine sites.
On 1 April 2025, the Commission tabled a legislative proposal[5] allowing Member States to adjust their 2021-2027 cohesion policy programmes during their mid-term review, by incorporating new strategic priorities to incentivise defence-related investments, which would also include the construction of shelters.
The Commission endorsed a targeted revision of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan for Poland which will allow for financing shelters.
The support is in the context of the Security and Defence Fund which will cover four areas: (i) protective buildings and civil protection infrastructure, (ii) dual-use infrastructure, (iii) cybersecurity and (iv) enterprise modernisation including research and development support.
- [1] https://commission.europa.eu/topics/preparedness_en.
- [2] https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/what/civil-protection/eu-civil-protection-mechanism_en.
- [3] https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/what/civil-protection/resceu_en.
- [4] https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/what/civil-protection/european-civil-protection-pool_en.
- [5] https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/sources/communication/mid-term-review-2025/communication-mid-term-review-2025_en.pdf.