The European Group on Training (EGT) pioneered a comprehensive approach to developing a standard for civilian crisis management training that offers a flexible model as reference point for training providers. This approach is based on standardised training contents for both core and specialisation courses delivered according to adult teaching methodologies. More specifically, EGT sought to harmonise the content of training programmes, hence ensuring coherence in knowledge and competence of civilian experts, as well as to train personnel for rapid deployments.

Through a carefully designed system of consolidation, the project has developed training modules for 14 courses (core and specialisation), organised some 68 training programmes for civilian aspects of crisis management, and developed a system of certification (including monitoring and evaluation) for specific core and specialisation training programmes. The EGT has therefore been able to develop, harmonise, standardise and improve the content for training on the civilian aspects of crisis management under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) of the European Union. The courses delivered reflect developments in EU crisis management concepts, taking into account cooperation not only with other civilian capacities, but also with military ones.

The training approach is common to all partners in the sense that the concepts for each type of course carried out through EGT was elaborated and agreed upon between the partners. Although each training institution creates its own programme for each course it carries out, the elements of the agreed concept for that course type are mandatorily reflected in that programme. The benefits of this approach are numerous, notably the quality assurance this entails.

It is precisely this common approach that has made it possible to establish a certification system, permitting the EGT to accredit courses in the field of civilian crisis management as ‘Certified EU Civilian Crisis Management Course – C³MC.' The certification system has been designed to further enhance coherent and high-level training activities in the field of civilian crisis management. It offers an objective evaluation standard and allows training institutions to improve the quality of their courses, which are recognised by organisations and professionals at the European level.

The increasing number of training institutions and training courses within and beyond the European Union aimed at preparing the civilian component of crisis management missions demands a continuous, enhanced and special effort to guarantee a more harmonised approach to training. Moreover, there is the need to make sure these standards integrate new elements the EU considers essential for pre-deployment training.

The aim of the ENTRi project has precisely been that of continuing the certification of courses by using and updating the C³MC standards developed in the past by the European Group on Training (EGT) and by aligning them to the new training requirements and standards in order to offer a unique opportunity to training institutions active in Europe and beyond to deliver harmonised and certified training courses. With a view to achieve the above objectives a phased approach to revise, consolidate, strengthen and update the then EGT C³MC certification system was envisaged and implemented.

Under phase I of the ENTRi project, all the EGT standard course curricula have been updated and streamlined. Furthermore, new course curricula have been developed, namely: country specific pre-deployment training; Leadership & Gender; Security Sector Reform; Mentoring in Civilian Crisis Management and; Hostile Environment Awareness Training.

The ENTRi project Phase II and III further fostered the certification mechanisms through an enhanced promotion of European training standards with the development of new course concepts, the revision of existing ones and the certification of courses delivered by EU and non EU training centres.