Co-chaired by Anna Grunt (CNU Poland) and Floris Nikandrou (CNU Cyprus), the 18th CEPOL National Units (CNU) meeting kicked off this morning at the agency’s HQ in Budapest with information sessions, workshops, and an overview of the agency’s core activities.
The agenda on the first day included sessions on key topics, proposals and challenges raised by CNU representatives The CNU representatives also discussed the success of the pilot Emerging Training Needs framework, currently in its second implementation cycle. This mechanism was launched in 2024 with the aim to provide a more flexible and agile response to the urgent and emergning training needs of EU Member States. They also explored its future direction, including the possibility of increasing the number of training activities, taking into consideration its high popularity, quality, and participant satisfaction.
Another point on today’s agenda was the Certified Trainers Programme, building on CEPOL’s mandate to strengthen training capacity in the EU by expanding its train-the-trainer model. The programme focuses on cascading knowledge, particularly in the area of cross-border law enforcement cooperation. CNU representatives reviewed the new innovative concept of the two-year Expertise Development Training Modality (EDTM), a structured,multi-annual pilot programme aimed at strengthening training capacity, by preparing future trainers in selected priority areas of law enforcement. They were also informed about a new communications initiative aimed at improving national outreach, following the adoption of the Communications sub-strategy by the Management Board earlier this year.
Later on, they followed up on the status of capacity-building projects managed by CEPOL's International Cooperation Unit (ICU): CT INFLOW II, EUROMED Police VI, TOPCOP II, WB PaCT II, the EU4 Security Moldova I. A separate workshop focused on the next steps for the Event Management System, a new workflow for CEPOL's LEEd
to be launched in 2026.
Tomorrow, the CNU representatives will be presented with an update on the Sectoral Qualifications Framework on Policing, focusing on Cross-border Cooperation (SQF CBC) to promote a common EU law enforcement culture and accredited vocational training. Day 2 of the meeting will also include an update on the mid-term review of CEPOL’s strategy 2023-2027, which received a generally positive external assessment on its added value for the agency. They will also discuss other achievements, such as the development of a new Digital Workplace and the redesigned LEEd architecture in cooperation with CERT-EU and DG DIGIT, to boost cybersecurity. Finally, the CNU representatives will review the external relations sub-strategy for 2025–2027, which will reach the CEPOL Management Board for approval, later on this year.
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About CEPOL National Units
CEPOL cooperates closely with its dedicated National Units (CNUs) in Member States. They inform and assist law enforcement officials who wish to participate in CEPOL’s training. CNUs actively support CEPOL’s activities and provide valuable operational insights. The Chair of the CNU meeting is the Head of the CEPOL National Unit in the country that holds the presidency of the Council of the EU for a 6-month period, within the scope of the three Member States that have jointly prepared the Council of the European Union’s 18-month programme. The current Trio presidency includes Poland, Denmark and Cyprus.
