WP1 – Coordination
The main objective of Work Package 1 (WP1) is to coordinate the Joint Action through well-functioning management, including timely reporting, budget control, and support for successful implementation. Strengthening collaboration between work packages is essential to achieving the objectives of the Joint Action.
The coordinator leads the implementation of the Joint Action with the support of the Steering Group and Advisory Board. WP1 is responsible for monitoring progress, deliverables, milestones, budget implementation, and reporting to the European Commission. The coordinator is also responsible for communication with HaDEA on behalf of the entire consortium.
Day-to-day management includes advising partners, organizing meetings, maintenance of the Teams platform, etc. Meetings of the Steering Group are organized approximately every second month. The Partnership Forum convenes once a year (Kick-off meeting, two annual forums, and the Closing Conference). The Advisory Board is planned to meet four times during the project period.
WP2 – Communication and Dissemination
Communication and Dissemination Work Package (WP2) is a horizontal activity that supports all Work Packages and plays a central role in ensuring visibility, strategic alignment, and the effective dissemination of key outcomes at both national and EU levels.
WP2 supports all work packages by disseminating information about public outcomes and results from each Work Package, as well as about events, training sessions, and workshops. WP2 ensures continuous updates on project activities through the project’s dedicated LinkedIn channel, website, and newsletter.
The Work Package also plays an essential role not only in sharing updates but also in preparing a variety of visual materials that can be used by project partners, such as templates, banners, logo variations, Teams backgrounds, posters, leaflets, infographics, and art boards.
WP3 – Evaluation
Evaluation Work Package (WP3) ensures that the Joint Action delivers high‑quality, meaningful results for Europe. It monitors whether activities are carried out as planned and examines the project’s overall progress and impact. By identifying what works well and where improvements are needed, the evaluation supports learning throughout the project and strengthens the reliability of its outcomes. It also provides transparency and accountability, showing how resources are used and what value the project creates.
WP4 - Sustainability
The purpose of Sustainably Work Package (WP4) is to ensure that sustainability and coherence are integrated into all core Work Packages when methodologies, frameworks, or tools are developed to address challenges related to MCM stockpiling at the national and European levels.
Best practices for the storage of medical countermeasures will be incorporated into national policies, with particular emphasis on enhancing cooperation among EU Member States. Additionally, ways of strengthening national experts’ skills in proper MCM storage are explored, and longterm cooperation is established based on the expansion of theoretical and practical knowledge shared among members.
WP5 – Training
Training Work Package, WP5, aims to increase the skills of national experts in best practices for MCM stockpiling. In addition, the Work Package will establish long-term cooperation based on an expanding body of theoretical and practical knowledge, available to members on an ongoing basis.
The Work Package plans to organize several face-to-face workshops and train-the-trainer sessions, not only to create a sustainable network for sharing knowledge within home countries but also to bring experts together to learn about best practices.
WP6 – Identifying and quantifying stockpiles for medical countermeasures
Work Package 6 (WP6) aims to develop a structured approach for determining which medical countermeasures, and in what quantities, are suitable for stockpiling. This will begin with an assessment of the benefits and drawbacks of stockpiling and alternative supply chain instruments. WP6 will develop a prioritization method for cross-border public health threats and examine which potential threats are most urgent to address, as well as whether stockpiling is the most suitable supply chain instrument to ensure the availability of critical MCMs during a specific public health crisis. Additionally, novel approaches will be developed to identify relevant critical MCMs and determine the required stockpile volumes. Finally, the tools and instruments developed within WP6, together with inputs from other work packages, will be consolidated into a handbook and a decision-support tool for policymakers.
WP7 – Coordinated layered stockpiling system
The Work Package 7 (WP7) aims to develop a coordinated, layered stockpiling framework that reflects interconnected stockpiling structures at the European level and remains adaptable to the individual needs of Member States. WP7 addresses differences in organizational structures, legal frameworks, responsibilities, and funding mechanisms across existing stockpiling systems.
The work builds on a comprehensive mapping and analysis of current national and international stockpiling initiatives, identifying their specific characteristics, interdependencies, overlaps, and challenges. Based on this evidence, WP7 develops a layered stockpiling model defining appropriate levels of stockpiling (provincial, national, and international) for relevant products and formulates recommendations to strengthen collaboration, particularly between EU-level and national stockpiles.
The layered stockpiling framework developed in WP7 will contribute to improved collaboration between participating countries and institutions in the context of emergency stockpiling.
WP8 – Sustainable stockpile management
The Work Package on Sustainable stockpile management (WP8) focuses on strengthening long-term stock management for health emergencies, whether pandemics, CBRN events, or natural catastrophes. Overall, it will examine the main challenges across the entire life cycle of stored items to propose alternative mitigation measures. More specifically, this work package aims to improve the sustainability and management of MCM stockpiles by addressing procurement and supply issues, data exchange between stocks, possible extension of shelf life, rotation of products, and reduction of waste.
Regarding the topics of extension of shelf life and rotation and disposal of unused MCMs, we have conducted a literature search. The results of a survey are now available, providing insights into which organizations may be contacted to obtain information on their experience with these topics. The survey results, together with the literature search, will help identify where knowledge is still missing and should be collected through further literature searches, interviews, and/or new surveys.
WP9 - Deployment and usage of MCMs in and outside the EU
The specific objective of Work Package 9 (WP9) is to ensure that stockpiling systems within the EU are operational and ready to deploy in times of crisis, both within and outside the EU. This will be accomplished by assessing the most suitable legislative framework through a review of existing WHO, EU, and national guidelines, and by clarifying governance structures, including who decides what quantities should be sent and where. Findings will be compiled into a report outlining current frameworks, gaps, and recommended practices.
Pilot activities are also being conducted, involving both urgent and non‑urgent deployments to test operational procedures and identify practical challenges. These pilots allow assessment of logistical workflows, communication channels, and coordination between actors, helping to identify bottlenecks and validate procedures. A post‑pilot evaluation will summarise findings and provide recommendations to strengthen preparedness. Upcoming work includes developing shared SOPs for the full deployment chain and analysing how short‑term crises can transition into long‑term crisis management when needs persist.