The overall objective of PEERS is to advance and reinforce existing policy through practitioner-driven pre-normative standardisation processes, which will enhance the development of a European Better Practice ecosystem. The project aims to support the effective strengthening of preparedness and response in the field of DRR and CBRN-e through standardisation. The ecosystem brings together Europe's disaster risk management for natural hazards and CBRN-E and European research policy-making, societal stakeholders standardisation bodies, and industry stakeholders to strengthen European resilience to all hazards through a comprehensive engagement and consultation governance mechanism.

Biotoxins pose significant challenges to current crisis management approaches. Existing concepts of operation, derived from Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear doctrines, and Union Civil Protection Mechanism initiatives, do not address the distinctive and highly complex attributes of a biotoxin crisis. EMBRACE aims to improve Europe’s capacity to respond effectively to biotoxin incidents. We will consolidate and apply scientific and clinical knowledge of biotoxins to revise response protocols and deliver innovative solutions specifically tailored to address gaps and needs identified in current provision. Highlights include analysis of biotoxins not previously addressed in this context, risk-based recommendations for PPE and novel decontaminants, in vitro studies to identify human biomarkers of exposure, novel samplers, portable biosensors and field diagnostics devices, and software tools to assist responders in biothreat risk assessment. To ensure intersectoral and cross-border interoperability of these solutions and successful commercialisation of our exploitable assets, we will prioritise a carefully planned standardisation and valorisation programme. EMBRACE will engage with existing initiatives and projects to create a vibrant biotoxin knowledge network; a multi-sectoral community of stakeholders, on the basis of which a sustainable Biotoxin Task Force will be established as a source of expertise and guidance on biotoxin incidents both for EMBRACE and the wider community. The network of stakeholders and EMBRACE’s ambitious programme of scientific, technological, and operational advances will be supported by the creation of a biotoxin reference and stakeholder hub designed to facilitate knowledge exchange and provide users with direct access to widely distributed and expertise. Finally, EMBRACE’s innovative sustainability strategy will ensure that its solutions and the biotoxin community continue to thrive beyond the duration of the project.

Countries worldwide, amid threats and incidents targeting civilians, invest in reinforcing their CBRN-E related capabilities. In Europe and in most cases, the teams responding first are not trained specifically, nor equipped sufficiently to face the kind of hazards, to provide the assistance to victims and to follow the decontamination processes that a CBRN-E incident implies. At the same time, resources are limited, exercises and trainings are siloed per organization, lacking of proven procedures, and digital tools. TeamUP addresses these challenges establishing a unified framework of evaluating capabilities, procedures and co-developed solutions to be used in CBRN-E preparedness and response. The process results to an innovative Toolkit for Detection-Identification-Monitoring, coordinated operations and efficient and safe SaR supported by AR, digitally upgraded Triage and Breath Analysis, Fastly Deployable Mass Decontamination System and monitored people and infrastructure decontamination. Also, it offers Incident Management and digital Training Tool for FRs and citizens enhancing preparedness, and response. TeamUP, brings several actors together (training centers, FRs, experts and non-experts) identifying their specific needs, enforcing in parallel cross-sectoral, cross-border collaboration and facilitating knowledge sharing through a continues evaluation approach in a rich programme of Tabletop, Small-Scale Exercises as well as Small Scale and Full-Scale Trials proving new knowledge on capabilities, technology performance and operating procedures. The solution will be finally validated in France and in Greece through the extensive participation of 8 end user-organizations, and a very competitive technical team, experienced in EU impactful funded projects, aspiring to create a ready to market solution. TeamUP will also contribute by initiating an EU-wide process on standardizing quantitative and qualitative metrics and procedures for decontamination validation.