On 14 July 2026, the latest annual edition of the four-day specialised course “Disaster Relief in the Context of the EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP)” was launched under the auspices of the European Security and Defence College (ESDC).

The Bulgarian Diplomatic Institute is co-organising the course together with the NATO Crisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence and the National College of the Romanian Ministry of Internal Affairs. Over the years, the course has established itself as one of the flagship training programmes in the ESDC academic calendar.

Disaster relief is not limited to the provision of humanitarian assistance. It is a comprehensive process aimed at building resilience and security and fostering multifaceted international cooperation. The capacity to prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters, as well as to support post-crisis recovery, is among the strategic priorities of the EU and its Member States, pursued through the instruments of the CSDP.

Over the years, the Union has developed an integrated approach combining civilian and military capabilities, strengthening cooperation among Member States and promoting partnerships with international governmental organisations, most notably the United Nations and NATO, as well as with a wide range of non-governmental organisations engaged in providing humanitarian assistance in the aftermath of disasters.

The Diplomatic Institute is represented in the training by Dr. Valentin Katrandzhiev, Chief Expert in the Training, Research and Project Activities Department, who will deliver a lecture entitled “Natural and Technological Disasters in the Context of Global Security.”