The European Union's commitment to promoting overall harmonious development, particularly in border regions, is underscored by the Treaty of the European Union's Article 174. This commitment has been further reinforced by the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM), designed to facilitate cooperation in civil protection assistance interventions. The study on "Strengthening the resilience of EU border regions" recently published by the European Commission taps on the effectiveness of the European legal framework in addressing the unique challenges faced by border areas.

The UCPM, a vital component of EU disaster risk management, underwent significant reforms in 2019 and 2021, aligning with the Union's goal to enhance collective response capabilities. The revisions included the establishment of a reserve of European response capacities, known as "RescEU," to mobilize in worst-case scenarios. The 2021 reform introduced Union disaster resilience goals (DRGs) and cross-sector disaster scenarios, promoting a comprehensive approach to disaster prevention, preparedness, and response.

The Union Disaster Resilience Goals, formulated in response to recent unprecedented disasters, outline five common goals to improve disaster resilience: Anticipate, Prepare, Alert, Respond, and Secure. Accompanied by flagship initiatives, these goals aim to guide policy dialogues, contribute to the broader EU resilience agenda, and foster cooperation with partner countries.

Several EU communications, regulations, and council conclusions have emerged in recent years to strengthen disaster risk management (DRM) in general, providing valuable insights applicable to border areas. The "Boosting Growth and Cohesion in European Border Regions" communication, for instance, suggests concrete actions to improve cross-border cooperation, legislative processes, and accessibility.

Despite the overall efficiency of the UCPM, stakeholder consultations identified areas for improvement, especially in border regions. Key recommendations include:

Overall Framework and Strategic Vision

• Clarify the strategic vision of the UCPM, focusing on prevention and preparedness.
• Adopt a holistic approach to address all phases of the Disaster Risk Management Cycle.
• Strengthen methodologies and procedures, particularly in prevention and preparedness.

Common Risk Assessments and DRM Capability Assessments

• Provide more specific requirements for risk assessments to ensure homogeneity.
• Foster collaboration with scientific institutions for standardizing risk assessments along borders.
• Address low probability-high impact events in risk assessment processes.

Optimizing EGTC and Leveraging Historical Cooperation

• Explore reasons for the limited uptake of the European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) in DRM.
• Leverage existing cross-border maritime protection structures for further enhancement.

Recommendations to Member States

• Consider Union disaster resilience goals in national disaster risk management planning.
• Improve assessment of cross-border risks, climate change impacts, and cascading effects.
• Develop risk management plans for cross-border risks through improved cooperation.

As the EU continues its commitment to border regions' resilience, the study's findings and recommendations offer valuable insights into refining the legal framework. By addressing these recommendations, the EU can further enhance its disaster response capabilities and promote harmonious development in border areas, ensuring a safer and more resilient future for all Member States.