On 9 April 2025, as part of the Human Resources Management (HRM) Cluster activities, the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB), co-hosted the seminar Civilian Capability Development – Hybrid Threats in Brussels. 

The seminar was organised by the CoE through the newly launched HRM Cluster, one of three informal working groups developed to support Member States to strengthen their national civilian capabilities (structures, systems and processes) and deliver on their commitments under the Civilian CSDP Compact.

As hybrid threats such as cyberattacks, Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI), and economic coercion become increasingly common and sophisticated, the European Union’s responses to these threats must evolve effectively.

This seminar brought together key voices from EU institutions and Member States to explore how civilian CSDP missions can enhance resilience and strategic preparedness to hybrid threats in the shifting geopolitical landscape.

The event opened with remarks from HRM Cluster co-chair Ms Maria Åkerlund De Francisco, Desk Officer and Deputy Director in the Security Policy Department at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

The first session featured Mr Jacob Tamm and Mr Jose Carlos Delgado Gomez from the European External Action Service (EEAS), who outlined the EU’s current response to hybrid threats, including cyber defence strategies and counter-FIMI initiatives. 

Mr Lennart Nikolei (CivOpsHQ) then presented insights into the context and capability needs of civilian CSDP missions, with a focus on how they can respond to hybrid and cyber threats themselves, while also supporting partner countries in building resilience against such threats. 

Next, Ms Gloria Iniesta-Arias and Ms Clarissa Cecchi (CivOpsHQ) addressed workforce challenges, including recruitment, the existing skills gap, and the return on investment in upskilling civilian personnel.

The seminar concluded with a Q&A session, moderated by Madelene Monasdotter and Ulrika Ros from the MSB, where participants could engage directly with speakers. A final interactive segment gathered input on topics for future discussion.

The CoE thanks all speakers, participants, and partners who contributed to this conversation. We look forward to organising more seminars to facilitate much needed discussion.

In the meantime, you can read more about hybrid threats on the Knowledge Hub:

• A policy brief by the Clingendael Institute  framing the changing status quo of CSDP in the context of ongoing security crises, including the rise of hybrid threats

• A ZIF article  reviewing tools available for Civilian CSDP to counter hybrid threats.

• A SIPRI Policy Brief  exploring changingstrategic priorities for civilian CSDP in the face of recent geopolitical shifts, including hybrid threats.