Support to Municipal Disaster Response

The CMDR COE successfully concluded its residential course on Strategic Decision Making for Crisis Response Operations, held from 24–28 November 2025.

Last week, representatives from the Crisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence (CMDR COE), Major Ralitsa Bakalova and Professor Mitko Stoykov, participated in the high-profile NATO Concept Development & Experimentation (CD&E) Conference, held in Verona. This landmark event was dedicated to advancing the synergy between concept development and wargaming to support the development of future forces.

On November 21, 2025, our intern Asya Arsova presented her final project “Forest Fires in the Balkans 2025: Risks, Responses and Lessons Learned”. 

From 18-20 November 2025, the Education Training Programmes and Plans division of the Multi-Domain Force Development Directorate (MDFD/ACT) successfully organized and conducted the annual NATO Individual Training and Education Conference (NITEC) and the NATO ITEP Planning Board (IPB) Conference.

On November 19, Bulgaria will mark the 26th World Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Day with a large-scale conference themed “GIS connects everything, everywhere – for a more sustainable world”.

CMDR COE conducted the second 2025 iteration of the NATO-approved GFP course, advancing gender perspective integration through multinational participation and expert facilitation.

The Crisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence (CMDR COE) will proudly take part in the Cyber Defence Conference (CYDEF 2025), where COL Kostadin Lazarov will represent the Centre as a Keynote Speaker.

for the CMDR COE at its Periodic Assessment 

The CMDR COE is conducting the 2025 iteration of the Crisis Management and Disaster Response Exercise Planners Training Course from 03 to 07 November 2025.

The CMDR COE proudly announces the successful completion of the 2025 iteration of the Resilience through Civil Preparedness Course.

The two-day 13th CMDR COE Steering Committee Meeting concluded today. The members of the SC remain fully committed to the further development of our Centre of Excellence.

It has been a busy week at the CMDR COE premises. The 6th CMDR COE Academic Advisory Board (AAB) Meeting was held yesterday, 20 October 2025.

The Academic Advisory Board (AAB) is an independent body that assists the CMDR COE in managing the scientific research and educational activities of the Crisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence.

CMDR COE remains committed to strengthening regional cooperation and advancing readiness in crisis management and disaster response.

The Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) Course for operators was held at the Crisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence from 30 September to 3 October 2025. It brought together 23 students from diverse backgrounds in a dynamic in-person setting.

The CMDR COE is proud to announce that Ms Asya Arsova has successfully completed the first phase of her Internship Programme. She presented her research paper on “Analysing Dynamics and Impacts of Contemporary People Mass Movements: A Multidisciplinary Exploration”, which addresses one of the most relevant and rapidly evolving fields in today’s global security landscape.

The Joint Operations Planning Introduction Course took place at the Crisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence (CMDR COE) from 22 to 26 September 2025, bringing together 16 participants from five NATO and partner nations in a dynamic, in-person setting.

From 23 to 26 September 2025 the CMDR COE hosted a course designed to provide participants with comprehensive knowledge and practical expertise in the deployment of Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) for data-driven decision-making across operational, civilian, and emergency contexts.

The Crisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence welcomed the Japan’s Parliamentary Vice- Minister of Defense, Mr. Yozo Kaneko. 

The CMDR COE hosted a successful Layered Resilience Concept (LRC) Validation event in Sofia, Bulgaria on 14-19 September 2025. 

The 20th NATO EADRCC Emergency Management Exercise “BULGARIA 2025” (“the Exercise”) took place in Montana, Bulgaria from 7 to 12 September 2025, accompanied by a facilitated strategic discussion in Sofia, Bulgaria, on 09 September 2025.

On 18 August 2025, a farewell ceremony was held for the officers who have departed from our CMDR COE, honoring their contributions and dedication throughout their mandate.

The landmark exercise marks a significant step in strengthening Jordan’s national crisis management capabilities.

From 16^th till 18^th of July in Bucharest was conducted a course dedicated to Disaster Relief in CSDP Context.

CMDR COE is proud to announce that its interns Asya ARSOVA and Katya POPOVA successfully completed their University education.

The Course, held from 7 to 11 July 2025, concluded successfully, bringing together participants from the CMDR COE, the Bulgarian National Military Training Centre “Charalitsa”, and representatives from the Bulgarian Ministry of Defence.

A Collaborative Initiative Focused on Modernizing Crisis Response through M&S, C2, and AI Integration.

Cognitive Warfare Course, 23-27 June 2025

An intern project on “Social Capacity in Disaster Respond: Enhancing Resilience by Education and Training”

CMDR COE is proud with the received and focused on further challenges 

Building Integrity in CMDR Course, 10-13 June 2025