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This policy brief by the Clingendael Institute frames the changing status quo of EU CSDP in the context of ongoing security crises. The authors discuss how the war in Ukraine, the series of coups d'état in the Sahel, and spillover from the Israel-Hamas war are affecting CSDP and recommend policy changes for CSDP policy and missions moving forward.

This report analyses Specialized Police Teams (SPTs) deployed in UN missions meant for capacity building of local forces, in contrast with individually seconded officers and formed police units meant for enforcement. It first describes the benefits of SPTs in their results-focused capacity building, then goes into the challenges faced in their composition and deployment due to issues of supply, funding, and consistency before concluding with recommendations for the Secretariat, missions, and MS. As Civilian CSDP missions also move forward with Specialised Teams of a similar kind, the benefits, flaws, and proposed solutions for the UN provide good lessons to take into account.

This report from the European Court of Auditors covering September 2021 to April 2023 reviews the performance of the EEAS in its role as coordinator of the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) between its own HQ, the EU delegations, the Commission, and the Council of the EU. It finds that the EEAS coordination is mostly effective, but is hampered by specific weaknesses including inadequate information sharing tools, untimely reporting and feedback, and staffing insufficiencies.

The Council Conclusions reiterate the Council’s commitment to building and strengthening the EU’s role as a global security provider through civilian CSDP missions. It calls on EU Member States and institutions to continue and expand capability development activities and outlines the EU’s commitment to operate in compliance with international law and further utilise strategic communication, modular and scalable approaches, and increased stakeholder contributions.

This document has been produced by the European Centre of Excellence for Civilian Crisis Management (CoE) and serves as a report from the CoE's Civilian CSDP Autumn Forum on the topic "Implementing deliverable number 3 under the Civilian CSDP Compact". It took place on 19/20 October 2023 at the Spanish Representation to the EU in Brussels, under the auspices of the Spanish Council Presidency. This report can be used by EU MS as well as the EEAS to inform their further discussion – and eventual decision-making – to what extent a scalable and modular approach shall be used to make civilian CSDP more agile, flexible, effective and efficient.

This document has been produced by the European Centre of Excellence for Civilian Crisis Management (CoE) prior to CoE's Civilian CSDP Autumn Forum that took place on 19/20 October 2023 at the Spanish Representation to the EU in Brussels, under the auspices of the Spanish Council Presidency. It was shared in advance with all registered participants to outline the scope of discussions at the Forum and provide information on its topic: The modular and scalable approach of deliverable #3 of the 2023 Civilian CSDP Compact.

Drawing on a series of in-depth interviews with European police officers deployed to CSDP missions, this article examines mission members' perspectives on key challenges frequently discussed at headquarters, namely bureaucratic obstacles and staffing issues.

On June 15th and 16th, 2023, the CoE, in collaboration with the Swedish Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA) and under the auspice of the Swedish council presidency, gathered representatives from 23 EU Member States, as well as the EEAS, Eurojust, and Frontex for the Civilian CSDP Summer Forum. The primary objective was to familiarise and identify the necessary capabilities within EU Member States to strengthen and enhance civilian CSDP missions, making them more inclusive, effective, and efficient.

With this resolution, the Parliament is seeking clarification on the role, ambitions, effectiveness and added value of civilian CSDP, which the new Compact should address. It also calls for a new Compact that is capable of delivering on the goals set out in the Strategic Compass. Key demands include the introduction of more robust mandates, improvements to the decision-making process and an increase in financial resources. The Parliament also mentions new issues which should be integrated into civilian CSDP or deserve a renewed focus.

In this annual report, adopted by the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), on the state of CSDP, the European Parliament underlines the goals and tools established with the Strategic Compass as part of EU’s answer to the drastically changed security situation in Europe in 2022 and beyond. It assesses the defence initiatives of the EU and the implementation of the civilian CSDP Compact among other things.