STCU News and Announcements
STCU P100 Strengthens Frontline Biosafety and Biosecurity Measures in Southeast and Eastern European Region: Successful Completion of P100 Subregional Train the Trainer Course and Tabletop Exercise in Sarajevo
420/49612 Nov 2024
November 5, 2024 – Kyiv, Ukraine
On October 28-November 1, 2024 the P100 Strengthening Front Line Biosafety and Biosecurity Measures in South East and Eastern European Region project, funded by the European Union and dedicated to strengthening frontline biosafety and biosecurity measures in the South East and Eastern European region, successfully concluded its Train the Trainer (TTT) Course and Tabletop Exercise (TTX) in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Held at the Movenpick Hotel, these events marked an essential step forward in bolstering regional preparedness and coordination against biosafety and biosecurity threats.
Event Overview and Key Achievements
Train the Trainer (TTT) Course: Over four intensive days (October 28–31), participants gained expert-level knowledge and practical skills essential for training frontline and supportive personnel. This course fostered the development of qualified national trainers capable of creating country-specific training modules and sustaining biosafety initiatives.
Highlights included:
• Comprehensive sessions on biosafety risk assessment, regulatory frameworks, detection of biological hazards, decontamination and waste management, border and customs operations during biological incidents, and integrated response coordination.
• Hands-on practice in delivering interactive adult learning training, biosafety and biosecurity measures, and managing group discussions.
• Insightful presentations on the roles of primary and supportive personnel, emphasizing the collaborative efforts needed for effective border management.
Tabletop Exercise (TTX): Concluding the event on November 1, this one-day exercise provided a platform for participants to engage in realistic scenarios, enhancing joint action and interoperability. Facilitated by renowned expert Nigel Lightfoot, the exercise offered critical insights into operational readiness and pinpointed areas for procedural improvements.
Impact and Reflections
These events underscored the importance of unified strategies and highlighted the region’s commitment to improving biosafety and biosecurity standards. Attendees demonstrated enhanced knowledge of crisis response and showcased their ability to coordinate seamlessly across various institutions, a testament to the program’s success in strengthening national and regional capabilities.
The P100 initiative will continue to build on these milestones by fostering regional collaboration and supporting the development of sustainable biosafety frameworks. Future activities will aim to advance cross-border cooperation and readiness further.
The P100 project remains committed to strengthening biosafety and biosecurity capacities and promoting peace and security across the South East and Eastern European region.
STCU together with the EU extends its appreciation to all participants, presenters, and organizers who contributed to the success of these events. Their engagement and expertise were vital in achieving the shared mission of a safer, more secure region. This initiative underscores STCU's and EU’s dedication to strengthening BS&S measures in the SEEE region and fostering international collaboration to mitigate biological threats effectively.