About the configuration
The Working Group on Missions and Operations Training (WG-MOT) was established in November 2015 as a sub-configuration of the ESDC Executive Academic Board (EAB). WG-MOT consists of representatives of relevant national training actors from EU Member States, EU institutions. bodies and agencies and CSDP structures. International Organisations and EU-funded projects participate as observers. Currently, the group has approximately 30 members.
For CSDP missions and operations, success in delivering their mandates is directly connected to having personnel equipped with the necessary understanding, knowledge and skills. The aim of WG-MOT is to enhance the coordination, coherence and quality of training for CSDP missions and operations personnel. It plays a vital role in aligning training with the identified requirements and lessons learnt, thereby strengthening the links between deployed personnel and EU crisis management structures. WG-MOT also proposes new training activities, updates the ESDC training calendar, refines course curricula, and promotes understanding of CSDP-related processes and guidelines.
According to the 'EU Policy on Training for CSDP '(2024), Pre-deployment training for CSDP Missions and Operations (PDT) and Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT) are mandatory preparatory courses for deployment to the field and are therefore of top priority for WG-MOT.
To enable future mission staff to meet these prerequisites and given the often short time span between selection and deployment, these courses are offered on a monthly basis throughout the academic year. WG-MOT designs the yearly course calendar to allow for adequate planning by seconding authorities and to allow for participants to attend the PDT and HEAT courses back-to-back before deployment. WG-MOT also provides regular updates to ensure alignment with current mission realities and the latest training requirements in the field and/or at HQ level.
For more information about these courses, please follow the links below on the side.
For updated information on CSDP missions and operations, visit the EEAS website.
Pre-deployment Training for CSDP Missions and Operations
The Pre-deployment Training for CSDP Missions and Operations (PDT) in an important preparatory training course for personnel selected for deployment to a CSDP mission/operation. It enhances participants’ overall understanding of CSDP missions' operating principles and provides an insight into the latest policies, instruments and tools available to fulfill the mandate. The training aims to make missions/operations more effective by ensuring that participants are adequately prepared so that they can integrate more quickly into mission life and be operational as soon as possible upon deployment.
The PDT is open to both seconded and contracted personnel, deploying to both civilian and military CSDP missions and operations. Held exclusively in Brussels, the PDT benefits from being able to draw on all the expertise available at headquarters. It also provides a unique opportunity for future mission staff to meet and receive briefings from their respective mission/operation Points of Contact (PoCs). The PDT, under the auspices of the ESDC, aims to complement rather than substitute national training efforts. As clearly indicated in the EU Policy on Training for CSDP, the Member States are primarily responsible for ensuring appropriate preparatory training.
The primary target group for PDT is personnel already selected by a CSDP mission/operation. Upon availability of seats, the course is open to candidates in Member States working on CSDP missions or operational matters.
Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT)
The Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT) aims to contribute to sustaining front-of-mind security and situational awareness, reinforce a safety and security awareness mindset and develop confidence. Its purpose is also to provide guidance on individual and team options to help deter, detect and react during and after threatening events, thus increasing the overall personal safety and security of staff members while serving in mission.
HEAT is very practical by nature, building on realistic, scenario-based exercises. The training content aims to reflect the security needs in the mission context. Given the changing security landscape in CSDP missions, it is of the outmost importance to regularly revise the course curriculum to adequately reflect the training needs on the ground.
Vehicle Safety 4x4 Driving is a two day training course held in conjunction with HEAT. This course introduces and consolidates knowledge and practical skills for the safe and effective use of vehicles in remote areas without technical support, in difficult or close to extreme driving conditions. Having the driving part separated but attached to the HEAT training enables participants to follow both courses back-to-back.
HEAT courses have been organised under the ESDC network since 2021. As a result of the clear policy directives, the demand from CSDP missions has increased and so has the number of yearly iterations. HEAT is now held on a monthly basis and the Vehicle Safety 4x4 Driving five times a year.
HEAT Standards
The standardisation of civilian training activities at European level goes back to the EU Commission-funded ENTRi project (2008-2019). However, the need to harmonise training activities has become more evident with the new EU Policy on Training for CSDP. Therefore, the authority and responsibility for standardisation and certification was attributed to the ESDC.
HEAT is, due to its special nature, a prime candidate for standardisation. The ESDC has, within the WG-MOT configuration, developed a HEAT course concept to provide ESDC network members and external HEAT training providers with the minimum essential content and suggested delivery methodologies. Furthermore, the course concept aims to establish a standardised training that meets the needs of civilian CSDP missions to ensure their duty of care obligations and being a central part of the training path for CSDP mission personnel. The concept should be read in conjunction with the approved ESDC HEAT curriculum.
The ESDC HEAT Course Concept and the ESDC curricula for HEAT and Vehicle Safety 4x4 Driving are to be found here.
Chair and Configuration Support
Chair - Irene-Maria EichIrene-Maria Eich is a Training Officer at the Centre for International Peace Operations (Zentrum für Internationale Friedenseinsätze, ZIF), where she manages Germany’s Training Partner Platform, developing joint curricula and organising courses with the police and armed forces. From 2016 to 2021, she served as Training Manager at the ESDC, overseeing CSDP missions/operations training activities, specifically establishing the PDT as a regular, reliable alternative option for seconding authorities to prepare future mission staff. Ms. Eich’s extensive experience includes eight field missions with the UN, OSCE, and EU (1999-2013) and a decade with the European institutions in external relations. She has drafted strategy papers, analytical reports and briefings, while fostering diplomatic relations with European institutions and key stakeholders.
ESDC Coordinator - Isak EnströmIsak Enström, a Swedish national expert seconded from the Folke Bernadotte Academy, serves as Training Manager at the ESDC in Brussels. He has a background in training, with vast experience in rule of law and corrections reform in fragile environments. Isak has held strategic positions in South Sudan with UNMISS (2012–2014) and at UNDP in New York (2016–2019). At the ESDC, he manages the pre-deployment and in-mission training portfolio, while supporting WG-MOT.