New tools strengthen pandemic preparedness through Risk Communication Community Engagement and Infodemic Management (RCCE-IM)

A milestone in building RCCE-IM capacity for health emergencies was reached on 9 September 2025. On this day, the WHO Regional Office for Europe launched two new online tools - the Capability Mapping Tool (CapMap) and the Pocket Plan Creator - to help Member States map and strengthen their RCCE-IM capabilities as part of all-hazard national planning, with a strong focus on influenza pandemic preparedness.

These tools were financially supported by the PIP Partnership Contribution and the European Commission and developed in collaboration with over 100 experts who contributed to testing and peer-review.

COVID-19 lessons for better pandemic preparedness

The European Region has faced frequent and complex health emergencies, starting with COVID-19, which transformed emergency management. One lesson was clear: health services alone are not enough-they must be understood, trusted and used. Communities need to be empowered to make informed health choices, fostering trust, resilience and equity. RCCE-IM acts as a vital bridge between health authorities and communities, serving as an evidence-based public health intervention across every phase of an emergency-from prevention to recovery-including pandemics.

"Advancing preparedness while juggling multiple emergencies hasn't been easy, but these challenges made our new tools stronger and more relevant", comments Cristiana Salvi, Regional Adviser, Community Resilience and Protection in the WHO Regional Office for Europe. "COVID-19 especially reminded us why turning lessons from response into real pandemic preparedness is absolutely essential."

Two key insights informed this work: risk communication alone is insufficient-it must be paired with community engagement and infodemic management-and preparedness must also function virtually, as travel restrictions highlighted the need for digital solutions.
Credit: WHO
Caption: Health care worker reviewing a public health advice leaflet

Adopting efficient and secure in-house digital solutions

For a decade before the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO/Europe worked systematically with its Member States to map capacities, provide training, test systems, and adopt plans. When the pandemic hit, the work did not pause - it transformed. Each day of the response generated lessons that ultimately led to the creation of CapMap and Pocket Plan Creator.

Built on efficient, secure, in-house digital solutions, the tools offer a practical means to assess and strengthen pandemic preparedness. CapMap assesses RCCE-IM structures, systems, and skills, emphasizing six main areas, including RCCE-IM as well as evidence generation, capacity building and operational management -critical for pandemic preparedness. The Pocket Plan Creator turns assessment results into practical, tailored all-hazard and pandemic-specific plans through ten interactive modules, templates, checklists and a resource package.

Belgium and Germany are already piloting these tools, with translations planned for all WHO European Region official languages, alongside webinars to support implementation across country offices and Member States.

Ultimately, these tools transform lessons from COVID-19 and other health emergencies into action, creating a continuous cycle of learning and preparedness for the next pandemic. By integrating what worked-and what didn't- they equip Member States with practical, evidence-based solutions to assess capabilities, address gaps, and develop tailored plans-because when it comes to pandemics, it's not a matter of if, but when.

For more information, please contact the WHO/Europe's RCCE-IM team at [email protected]

Related link

Access the tools here Building capacities as part of emergency preparedness