Resources: legislation, programmes, models and glossary
The key European documents, the applicable Romanian legislation, funding programmes with their official pages, local plans from other countries and a glossary of terms. Every entry links to the official source. Legislation and the status of programmes change: the versions in force must be checked at the time of use, and the information on this page was checked on 14 October 2026.
Searchable glossary, Romanian and EU legislation, programmes with official pages, local plans from other countries
The umbrella documents that define the current paradigm
The European preparedness strategy and the UN disaster risk reduction frameworks form the intellectual backbone on which any modern local strategy is built.
The EU Preparedness Union Strategy
The strategy adopted by the European Commission on 26 March 2025. 30 key actions for anticipating, preventing and responding to crises. The framework document for the whole of European policy in this field for the next 5 years.
Niinistö Report, "Safer Together"
The report by the former President of Finland, Sauli Niinistö, to the European Commission. 165 pages organised in 9 thematic blocks. It recommends institutionalising "preparedness by design" and a stronger role for subnational authorities.
Safer Together, full text (165 pages)
The full PDF of the Niinistö report, recommended for chapters IV-VI, which deal explicitly with local and regional authorities.
Opinion on the EU Preparedness Union Strategy
The official CoR opinion on the EU Preparedness Union Strategy, relevant for local and regional authorities in all member states, with concrete recommendations for implementation at subnational level.
Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction
The UN global framework for disaster risk reduction, adopted by 187 states. 4 priorities, 7 global targets, 38 indicators. The international reference point for disaster risk reduction. The framework is voluntary and not legally binding.
Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR2030)
The UN programme for cities and local authorities that want to strengthen their resilience. A 3-stage roadmap (A→B→C), self-assessment tools, more than 1,500 cities enrolled. The most accessible "way in" for a Romanian town hall.
NATO Civil Preparedness, Seven Baseline Requirements
The seven baseline requirements for civil preparedness adopted by NATO at the Warsaw summit (2016) and reaffirmed since. An essential reference for Romania as a member state on the eastern flank.
EU Civil Protection Mechanism, official page
All the official information on the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM): how it works, who is eligible, which calls are open, how the rescEU reserve is accessed.
The laws, ordinances and regulations governing civil protection in Romania
Knowing the exact legal basis is a precondition for any local strategic document. Below is the minimum set that any local secretary general or development director should have consulted. The legal texts are in Romanian.
Law 481/2004 on civil protection
Romania's framework law on civil protection. Republished in 2008. It sets out the mayor's responsibilities, the structure of the SVSU (voluntary emergency service), relations with IGSU (General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations) and the CJSU (county emergency situations committee), and the regime of emergency situations at local level.
Full text, Romanian legislative portal (in Romanian) ↗Law 307/2006 on fire protection
The legal framework for fire prevention and firefighting. It overlaps directly with civil protection in the area of local intervention.
Full text, Romanian legislative portal (in Romanian) ↗Government Emergency Ordinance (OUG) 21/2004 on the National Emergency Management System
Establishes the SNMSU (National Emergency Management System) and defines the responsibilities of public authorities at all levels in managing emergency situations.
Full text, Romanian legislative portal (in Romanian) ↗Government Decision (HG) 1491/2004, Regulation on the organisation of emergency situations committees
Sets out the membership, responsibilities and working methods of the CLSU (Local Emergency Situations Committee), the CJSU and the CNSU.
Full text, Romanian legislative portal (in Romanian) ↗Government Decision (HG) 862/2016 on the categories of buildings for which civil protection shelters are mandatory
Sets out the categories of buildings for which public civil protection shelters are mandatory and those in which command posts are to be fitted out. Published in Monitorul Oficial (Romania's Official Gazette) No. 955 of 25 November 2016, under Art. 45(4) of Law 481/2004. It replaced HG 560/2005.
Full text, Romanian legislative portal (in Romanian) ↗Order of the Minister of Internal Affairs (OMAI) 1494/2006, camps for disaster victims
An order regulating the organisation and operation of camps for disaster victims in emergency situations. Published in Monitorul Oficial No. 926 of 15 November 2006. It does not contain the technical standards for civil protection shelters.
IGSU documentation (in Romanian) ↗Regulation (EU) 2025/1106, the SAFE instrument
Establishes the "Security Action for Europe" instrument, through which the Union grants loans to member states for defence investment. The loans are granted exclusively to member states. Romania's loan agreement, worth EUR 16.68 billion, was signed in May 2026 and approved by law; the number of the law should be checked in Monitorul Oficial.
EUR-Lex ↗OUG 62/2025, implementation of SAFE in Romania
Sets out the national measures for applying Regulation (EU) 2025/1106. The Ministry of Finance signs the loan agreement and manages the financial flows. The ordinance was amended in 2026. It does not create a funding channel for administrative-territorial units (UATs).
Search the Romanian legislative portal ↗Strategia Națională de Apărare a Țării (National Defence Strategy)
The strategic reference document for national security, adopted through the constitutional procedure. Useful as a general framework for local documents.
Presidential Administration (in Romanian) ↗National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy 2024-2035
Approved by HG 791/2024, published in Monitorul Oficial No. 662 of 11 July 2024. The national framework for disaster risk reduction, built on the priorities of the Sendai Framework. It requires local public administration authorities to carry out the measures within their remit.
HG 791/2024, Romanian legislative portal ↗Institutional Strategic Plan of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MAI) 2025-2028
The programming document of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which includes the IGSU component and the investment objectives for civil protection infrastructure over the 2025-2028 horizon.
Official PDF, General Secretariat of the Government (in Romanian) ↗Directive (EU) 2022/2557 (CER Directive) on the resilience of critical entities
Replaces Directive 2008/114 (ECI). Sets the rules for identifying critical entities and their resilience obligations. Transposed in Romania by Law 294/2024.
EUR-Lex, English text ↗Directive (EU) 2022/2555 (NIS2)
Cybersecurity of essential and important entities. Transposed in Romania by OUG 155/2024, approved by Law 124/2025. Whether an entity falls within its scope is determined by the criteria in the annexes to the act, not automatically by the type or size of the institution.
EUR-Lex (NIS2) ↗OUG 155/2024, transposition of the NIS2 Directive
Transposes Directive (EU) 2022/2555 into national law, with the National Cyber Security Directorate as the competent authority. It was approved by Law 124/2025. The obligations apply to entities identified as essential or important, on the criteria laid down in the act.
Romanian legislative portal ↗Official IGSU portal, Inspectoratul General pentru Situații de Urgență
The official source for reports, intervention statistics, methodological guides, press releases and the organisation of the ISUs (county Emergency Situations Inspectorates).
igsu.ro (in Romanian) ↗For the full text and the implementing rules, see legislatie.just.ro (the Legislative Portal of the Ministry of Justice) or igsu.ro for IGSU-specific documents. Both are in Romanian.
Links to the official pages of the relevant programmes
All the European and national programmes that can fund, directly or through partnerships, resilience and civil protection measures at the level of local authorities in Romania.
Bucharest-Ilfov Regional Programme · Priority 11
"A region with increased defence capacity". Announced allocation: EUR 55.8 million. Call 11.1 covers building and modernising defence infrastructure and measures to protect critical infrastructure. On 14 October 2026, the applicant's guide had not been published and the eligible applicants were not specified in the calls calendar.
Regional Programmes 2021-2027, MFE overview
The official page of the Ministry of Investments and European Projects with all 8 regional programmes, guides, call calendars and managing authority contacts.
South-East Regional Programme
The "Resilience to risks" priority, with calls for strengthening public buildings. The content and timing of the calls are set out in the guides published by the managing authority.
EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM), preparedness calls
Calls for prevention and preparedness are usually published annually. The eligibility conditions, including the requirement for a partnership from several countries, differ from one topic to another. The 2026 round closed in May 2026.
Interreg NEXT HU-SK-RO-UA · Call 2
Allocation of EUR 28.5 million. The second call closed in 2026, with deadlines on 29 January and 26 February 2026, and received 168 applications. The eligible area covers only part of Romania's territory.
Interreg NEXT Romania-Ukraine
A cross-border programme with its own eligible area. The status of calls should be checked on the programme page; the call for small projects closed in 2025.
Internal Security National Programme · Calendar v9.0
The updated calendar of calls for the Internal Security National Programme 2021-2027. Main beneficiaries: MAI, IGSU, IGPR (the General Inspectorate of the Romanian Police), STS (the Special Telecommunications Service). UATs can take part as partners.
SAFE, the first wave of defence funding (January 2026)
The European Commission's official press release on the first wave of SAFE loans to eight member states. The loans are granted to states, not to local authorities.
EDIP, the European Defence Industry Programme
Established by Regulation (EU) 2025/2643, in force since 30 December 2025, with EUR 1.5 billion for 2025-2027. It is aimed at industry, not at local government.
Real, downloadable local plans from other EU countries
For those who want to see for themselves what a well-made civil protection document looks like in another European administration. All the documents below are public, downloadable and in their original language.
Beleidsplan Veiligheidsregio Noord-Holland Noord 2024-2027
Safety plan for 17 municipalities (~640,000 inhabitants). 6 strategic objectives, a regional risk profile, measurable indicators. A polished format, accessible to citizens.
Beleidsplan VR Amsterdam-Amstelland 2021-2024
An online, scrollable version with interactive visualisations. A good example of the public communication of a technical document.
Thames Valley Community Risk Register
The public risk register for Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. More than 60 risks described transparently, in plain language.
London Risk Register
London's risk register, managed by the London Resilience Partnership. A benchmark for public transparency.
UK Government Resilience Framework, the guide for local authorities
The Local Government Association summarises the UK government's resilience framework, with tools and examples for local authorities.
Konzeption Zivile Verteidigung (KZV), full text
The German civil defence concept, a core document for planning across the Bundeswehr, the Länder and the districts (Kreise). Useful for understanding the "Gesamtverteidigung" (total defence) model.
Plan Communal de Sauvegarde (PCS), the mayor's guide
French methodological guide to preparing a PCS, the legal model closest to Romania's. It covers risk identification, the organisation of protection, the municipal command post and the alert scheme.
Gminny Plan Zarządzania Kryzysowego, Kętrzyn
A municipal crisis management plan published by a Polish gmina. Useful as a regional benchmark (the Polish legal framework resembles the Romanian one).
Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency
The official page of the new Swedish agency (since 1 January 2026). Resources, guides and tools for kommuner on RSA (Risk and Vulnerability Analysis).
Security Strategy for Society, Finland 2025
The Finnish Government's official press release on the 2025 update of the national security strategy for society. The "comprehensive security" model in its most mature form.
Reading for those who want to understand the intellectual foundations
A selection of reports, studies and analyses published in recent years by credible institutions: sources cited by both the European Commission and national authorities when they build new policies.
Whole-of-Society Preparedness: Finland's Approach
A detailed analysis of the Finnish whole-of-society preparedness model, by the UK's National Preparedness Commission. Essential reading for understanding the concept.
Words into Action Guidelines
UNDRR's official series of practical guides for implementing the Sendai Framework: operational tools, models, indicators.
Global Assessment Report (GAR) on Disaster Risk Reduction
The UN global report on the state of disaster risk reduction: data, trends, recommendations. A reference point for national and local policies.
EU-wide overview of disaster risks
The European Commission's overview of disaster risks at European level, broken down by region. Useful for putting the local risk profile in context.
Good Governance for Critical Infrastructure Resilience
The OECD report on the governance of critical infrastructure resilience: the shift from protecting assets to making systems resilient, with a toolkit for public authorities.
EDA, Civil-Military Cooperation
Official EDA resources on civil-military cooperation and dual-use concepts, useful for understanding the European defence framework.
Data sources for building the local risk profile
To build a credible risk profile, you need data, and plenty of it. Below are the official open data sources you can consult free of charge for any UAT in Romania.
Tempo Online, National Institute of Statistics
The central INS database. Demographic, economic and social indicators by UAT, county and region. Indispensable for the socio-demographic profile.
National Institute for Earth Physics, seismic data
Catalogue of historical earthquakes, seismic hazard maps, real-time monitoring. The source for the seismic risk profile.
National Meteorological Administration
Climate data, hydro-meteorological warnings, climate scenarios. The source for weather risks (heatwaves, drought, blizzards).
Flood risk maps
The national flood hazard and flood risk maps, under the European Floods Directive (2007/60/EC). Data for the water-related risk profile.
Copernicus Emergency Management Service
The European crisis mapping service: satellite imagery, event maps, post-disaster assessments. Free and open to any public authority.
The International Disaster Database
The global disaster database, run by the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (Belgium). For international benchmarking.
Eurostat, European statistics
Official EU data on civil protection, risks, population and infrastructure. Useful for comparisons across Europe.
The Romanian government open data portal
Open data published by Romanian public institutions. Growing slowly; useful as a first port of call for research.
More than 50 essential terms, with working definitions
The glossary is in alphabetical order and aligned with the terminology of the European Commission, UNDRR and Romanian legislation. Romanian terms keep their original abbreviation. Use the search bar to find a term quickly.
Can't find a term? Write to us and we will add it: [email protected]. The glossary is a living document and is updated after every collaboration with a town hall.
Back to top ↑Books, handbooks and guides for further reading
A subjective but well-founded selection: reading for those who want to go beyond strategic documents and understand the theory, history and practice of community resilience.
A seminal study of social capital as a decisive factor in post-disaster recovery. Aldrich shows that community networks matter more than infrastructure. Useful reading for the population preparedness component of a local strategy.
University of Chicago Press · ISBN 978-0226012889
The standard handbook on the politics of crisis management in contemporary democracies. Five facets of crisis leadership (sense-making, decision-making, meaning-making, terminating, learning), useful for any mayor who will go through a major event.
Cambridge University Press · ISBN 978-1107534018
Published by the International City/County Management Association (USA), on the role of local government in disaster recovery. Many parallels hold for the Romanian context.
One of the most cited works in the sociology of risk. Tierney shows that disasters are not "natural": they are socially produced. Essential reading for understanding why the local risk profile must include the social dimension.
Stanford University Press · ISBN 978-0804791397
An accessible introduction to systems thinking about resilience. The concepts of "adaptive cycle" and "panarchy" are the foundation on which UNDRR built the Sendai Framework.
Island Press · ISBN 978-1597260930
UNDRR's official series of practical guides for implementing the Sendai Framework. Volumes dedicated to local planning, risk communication, national capacity, financing and critical infrastructure. All free, in English.
The OECD report on strategic crisis management: early warning and sense-making, crisis communication, the role of social media and crisis exercises.
The report by the former President of Finland to the European Commission. 165 pages, 9 thematic blocks. The most important European publication on civil preparedness of the last 10 years. Its 80 recommendations will shape European policy for the next decade.
Three kinds of reader, three ways through it
The mayor / decision-maker
Read sections 1 (European frameworks) and 2 (Romanian legal framework): they give you the overall picture of the paradigm and the constraints. Then move on to section 3 (Funding).
The secretary general / legal adviser
Focus on sections 2 (Romanian legal framework) and 7 (Glossary). Then look at section 4 (Example models) to see how the legal framework translates into concrete documents.
The technical officer / strategy lead
Start with sections 5 (Studies) and 6 (Public data). Then go through section 8 (Bibliography) to explore the concepts in depth. Keep the glossary open alongside.
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