Resilience Through Civil Preparedness Course - (ETOC CODE: ETE-CM-25589)

Date: (27-10-2025)
City: Sofia
Location: CMDR COE
Duration: 5
Classification: UP TO NATO UNCLASSIFIED
Depth of knowledge: Level 200 / 300

27-31 OCT 2025: general application (RESIDENT) - Closes on 01 OCT 2025. 

Enrolment notifications by 10 OCT 2025.

 

Course Director: CIV Bozhidara KIRYAKOVA / e-mail: bozhidara.kiryakova@cmdrcoe.org / office phone: +359 2 92 24 744

 

Course OPR: LTC Mihai ILIE / e-mail: mihai.ilie@cmdrcoe.org / office phone: +359 2 92 24 730

 

_______________________________________________________________

 

The CMDR COE is dedicating targeted efforts at supporting NATO’s efforts to increase resilience in the crisis management and disaster response domain. Responding to an identified gap in the education and training landscape, the CMDR COE and the CIMIC Centre of Excellence (CCOE), the NATO Department Head for CIMIC/CMI/Civil Preparedness discipline, jointly developed and successfully piloted in DEC 2019 a tailored Education and Training solution - the Resilience through Civil Preparedness (RtCP) Course.

The CMDR COE and the CCOE actively collaborate on the delivery of the RtCP Course, which has two annual iterations - March and November. More information on the iteration, hosted by the CCOE, can be found here: https://www.cimic-coe.org/courses/  

 

Please, familiarise yourselves with the selection requirements as specified here-below, particularly concerning the target audience. 

 

Aim:

Through increased awareness of the relation between civil preparedness and improved operational effectiveness, to provide senior civilian and military experts with a general understanding of the various aspects of resilience at a strategic level and the effects, thereafter, on the operational level. 

 

Training Audience:

NATO structures and agencies and NATO members only.

The course is open for representatives from NATO structures, agencies and bodies, as well as National institutions of NATO countries dealing with resilience on strategic and operational level. (1) Rank Level: OR 8-9 or civilian equivalent, OF-2 and higher, or civilian equivalent. Occupation: Military and/or civilian experts, dealing with Crisis Management (CM) or Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC), with a good understanding of NATO’s structure, with primary responsibilities including Civil Preparedness. (2) Language Proficiency: English 3332 IAW STANAG 6001 or civilian equivalent (3) Prerequisites: Successful completion of the Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) modules ADL 037 and ADL 143

 

Learning Objectives:

 

Execute advanced proficiency in assessing and integrating resilience and civil preparedness principles into military operations. Demonstrate mastery in strategic and operational assessment, interdependency analysis, and military perspective appreciation. Apply Allied Joint Publication (AJP) 3.19, CIMIC Handbook, CIMIC Analysis and Assessment Concept, Headquarters specific SOP/SOI, Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTP), CIMIC Estimate – Repository, Layered Resilience Concept, Article 3 Washington Treaty, Seven Baseline Requirements (7 BLR), and Allied Command Operations (ACO) Interim Direction and Guidance to orchestrate military activities. Display adeptness in evaluating civil preparedness levels, integrating layered resilience strategies into military planning, and aligning military activities with civilian requirements while adhering to established protocols and guidelines. Employ comprehensive knowledge to anticipate challenges, make informed decisions, and demonstrate effective problem-solving skills within a simulated operational environment. Expertly integrates resilience principles into medium/long-term planning across command chains by orchestrating the application of critical thinking skills and adaptability within staff roles, as evidenced by the seamless utilization of Allied Joint Publication (AJP) 3.19, CIMIC Handbook, CIMIC Analysis and Assessment Concept, Headquarter specific SOP/SOI, Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTP), CIMIC Estimate – Repository, Layered Resilience Concept, Article 3 Washington Treaty, Seven Baseline Requirements (7 BLR), and Allied Command Operations (ACO) Interim Direction and Guidance.   Organize and execute comprehensive cooperation initiatives, leveraging Allied Joint Publication (AJP) 3.19, CIMIC Handbook, CIMIC Analysis and Assessment Concept, and layered resilience strategies. Apply Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTP), administer CIMIC Estimates from the Repository, and employ the Layered Resilience Concept to enhance civil preparedness. Relate to Article 3 of the Washington Treaty and the Seven Baseline Requirements (7 BLR) to predict and respond effectively to evolving threats. Implement Allied Command Operations (ACO) Interim Direction and Guidance. Assemble and perfect information exchange mechanisms within respective chains of command and areas of responsibility, optimizing resilience strategies for military operations.   Apply advanced proficiency in assembling, organizing, and analysing information derived from Allied Joint Publication (AJP) 3.19, CIMIC Handbook, CIMIC Analysis and Assessment Concept, Headquarter-specific SOP/SOI, Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTP), CIMIC Estimate Repository, Layered Resilience Concept, Article 3 Washington Treaty, Seven Baseline Requirements (7 BLR), and Allied Command Operations (ACO) Interim Direction and Guidance. Utilize this analysis to construct strategic and operational advisement for commanders, demonstrating expertise in predicting, preparing, and responding to various aspects of resilience and civil preparedness, thereby enhancing military planning and decision-making processes.

 

 

Prerequisites:

1. NATO CMI/CIMIC Awareness Course available at: https://www.cimic-coe.org/products/training-education/course-landscape/nato-cmi-cimic-awareness-course/

 

Please bear in mind that ADL 169 requires account registration on the NATO e-learning platform: https://jadl.act.nato.int/. This platform is NOT managed by either the CMDR COE or the CCOE. Refer any technical matters to the NATO JADL Admin Support. 

 

Methodology:

IN-PERSON . The study method is premised on the principles of adult learning. If needed, the course assessment will be tailored to the specifics of the online environment.

 

CMDR COE Internet Portal. Personal accounts will be created upon confirmation of course participation. Login: https://www.cmdrcoe.org/login.php

 

Language: 

The course will be conducted entirely in English. The command of English language must be at a professional level and in accordance with STANAG 6001 (3-2-3-2) or CEFRL (B2+/C1).

 

Attendance and Learning environment: 

Enrolled learners are expected to participate in, and fully engage in all course activities. The intensive course schedule does not allow for absences. Certificate for successful completion shall not be awarded to trainees, who have been absent during more than 10% of the total course duration, or from a critical course assignment.

 

Application:

Online application is open until 01 OCT 2025. Successful applicants will be notified by 05 OCT 2025.

Course application is mandatory and the application form can be accessed through the CMDR COE’s official website. Visit the website at https://www.cmdrcoe.org/, go to Events; select Courses; find the RtCP Course on the course list and click on Apply here.

In order to proceed with the application and to attend the course, applicants need to familiarise themselves with, and agree to the CMDR COE Privacy and Data Protection Policy.

 

Number of learners:

- face-to-face iterations: minimum 15, maximum 25.

 

Medical:

Face-to-face: Participants are expected to have a valid insurance coverage for their stay in Bulgaria.

 

Course Fee:

The course fee for resident iterations is 300 EURO. Enrolled learners / their organisations are to cover the course fee latest one week before course start. The fee can be payed online (a payment link will be provided) or via bank transfer (further details will be provided). In case of no-show past the cancellation deadline (two weeks prior to the beginning of the course), the course fee is non-refundable.

 

No fee will be charged to military personnel, governmental employees and governmental educational institutions from Sponsoring Nations (Greece, Hungary, Poland and Romania) and the Framework nation (Bulgaria).

 

Successful applicants are responsible for arranging and covering their travel, accommodation and per diem. The CMDR COE could provide accommodation suggestions upon request. 

 

Dress code:

General (both military and civilian): Smart casual.

Optional (military): Uniform.

 

Cancellation:

Cancellation of participation is only possible with a 2-week notice prior to the start date of the course for both face-to-face and online iterations. The CMDR COE reserves the right to cancel the course also with a 2-week notice prior to the start date in case the minimum number of participants is not reached or due to circumstances beyond the Centre's control. A written notice will be circulated to all selected trainees.  

 

Course assessment and certification. Each learner must demonstrate an ability to perform in accordance with the course objectives. Learners will be assessed against both individual and collective formative and summative assessment criteria. There are two types of certificates depending on overall performance: Certificate for Successful Completion and Certificate for Participation. 

The summative assessment for CMDR COE courses is conducted at the end of the course. The minimum score to pas the exam is 80% correct answers.

 

Useful links (copy and paste in a browser):

- Sofia Municipality: https://www.sofia.bg/en/web/sofia-municipality/

- Sofia Airport: https://www.sofiaairport.bg/en

- Railway transport: https://www.bdz.bg/en

- Sofia Urban Mobility Center: https://www.sofiatraffic.bg/en/common

- Sofia free tours - https://freesofiatour.com/