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Civilian CSDP Compact Q&A

04.08.2026

What is civilian CSDP?

The EU currently deploys 13 civilian CSDP missions, alongside the EU Security and Defence Initiative in the Gulf of Guinea. Civilian CSDP missions support partner countries in strengthening security, the rule of law and accountable institutions. Their mandates include police, justice, border management, security-sector reform, crisis management and resilience against hybrid threats, including cyber threats and foreign information manipulation and interference.

What is the Civilian CSDP Compact?

The Civilian CSDP Compact 2023–2027 is the political framework agreed by the Council and the representatives of the governments of the Member States to strengthen civilian CSDP. It contains 20 commitments aimed at making civilian CSDP missions more effective, robust, flexible and capable in a deteriorating security environment.

How does the Civilian CSDP Compact 2023–2027 strengthen civilian CSDP?

The Compact is structured around four areas:

  • ACT: increasing the EU’s capacity to act rapidly and robustly, including through more focused, modular and scalable missions, stronger command and control, improved rapid response and independent evaluation of mission impact;
  • SECURE: strengthening the resilience of partner countries and missions against evolving security threats, including hybrid and cyber threats and foreign information manipulation and interference, while promoting the rule of law, human rights and the internal-external security nexus;
  • INVEST: improving the availability, recruitment, training and deployment of qualified personnel and specialised capabilities, supported by national structures, adequate resources and the Civilian Capability Development Process;
  • PARTNER: strengthening cooperation with host countries, civil society, third states, international organisations and other EU actors.

What are the main elements of the Civilian CSDP Compact 2023–2027?

The Compact places particular emphasis on:

  • more focused, modular and scalable civilian CSDP missions;
  • the ability to deploy up to 200 experts within 30 days, including to complex environments;
  • the Civilian Operations Headquarters;
  • independent evaluation of mission impact and regular assessment of mission performance;
  • stronger resilience against hybrid and cyber threats and foreign information manipulation and interference;
  • closer civilian-military cooperation and stronger links with other EU security instruments;
  • the Civilian Capability Development Process;
  • increased availability of seconded experts, Specialised Teams, Visiting Experts and specialised capabilities;
  • stronger leadership, training and human resources management;
  • human rights, gender equality, climate and environmental considerations;
  • closer cooperation with host countries, civil society, third states and international organisations.

How can the proper resourcing of the civilian CSDP missions be ensured?

Civilian CSDP missions depend on Member States making qualified personnel and specialised capabilities available. This includes seconded experts, Specialised Teams, Visiting Experts, leadership and management personnel, and expertise in areas such as hybrid threats, cyber security and foreign information manipulation and interference.

The Civilian Capability Development Process provides the framework for identifying, planning, developing and reviewing these capabilities. Member States are also expected to maintain the national legal, administrative, financial and training structures required to recruit, prepare and deploy personnel.

How is implementation monitored?

The Compact is to be fully implemented by mid-2027. Implementation is reviewed through regular reporting, the Annual Review Conference and the Civilian Capability Development Process. Member States, the EEAS and relevant Commission services are responsible for delivering the commitments within their respective areas of responsibility.

The current phase of implementation increasingly focuses on translating agreed commitments and identified capability requirements into capabilities that are available for deployment in practice.