Preparing Europe for current and future drug challenges is at the heart of our mission. Our new Single programming document 2026–2028, published today, sets out how we will enhance EU preparedness through better data, faster alerts, clearer insights and a strong focus on learning, innovation and collaboration.
Introducing the publication, EUDA Executive Director, Dr Lorraine Nolan highlights the importance of turning the agency’s expanded mandate into ‘tangible, timely and high‑quality outcomes for our partners and communities’. This means continued strengthening of our focus on service delivery for our stakeholders but also supporting EUDA staff members through this period of organisational change. The document includes a statement from former EUDA Executive Director, Alexis Goosdeel, whose leadership helped lay the foundations for this next phase.
In 2026, we will launch the EUDA Drug Survey, delivering improved baseline data and unique insights into public attitudes on drug policy. The European Drug Report will offer timely analysis of emerging trends and developments, with easy access to source data and graphics. These efforts will be bolstered by ongoing market analyses with Europol and by geostrategic analyses drawing on non-EU-country data.
Our commitment to EU preparedness is demonstrated, among others, by the development of our advanced alert systems. The critical EU Early Warning System (EWS) on new psychoactive substances will be complemented by the fully operational European Drug Alert System (EDAS) and the EUDA Threat Assessment System (ETAS). These platforms will enable rapid monitoring and response to cross-border threats posed by emerging drugs, such as highly potent synthetic opioids and uncontrolled semi-synthetic cannabinoids.
Supporting professionals in designing effective interventions remains a priority, especially in harm reduction and drug-related treatment. To make learning more accessible to frontline workers, much of our training will be delivered via our online training platform, a key tool for disseminating and implementing the European Prevention Curriculum. We will also continue to deliver accredited residential training on drug markets and crime with CEPOL.
Policy design and evaluation will be strengthened by the rollout of the EUDA policy development and evaluation support package and the European cannabis policy support toolkit. We will also support the European Commission’s new EU Drugs Strategy and Action Plan against Drug Trafficking, as well as the Commission’s monitoring and regulatory efforts concerning the diversion and trafficking of drug precursors.
Successfully delivering these integrated services depends on strong partnerships. The new Reitox Alliance, adopted in December 2025, aligns cooperation with national focal points to the needs of the EUDA’s expanded mandate, while the Network on Forensic and Toxicological Laboratories (‘Network of labs’) will enhance access to real-time, analytically verified information. In 2026, we will also launch a new collaboration platform for civil society organisations, reflecting their important role under the EUDA mandate.
At EU level, the agency will chair the Justice and Home Affairs Agencies’ Network (JHAAN) in 2026 under the theme ‘One Safety — building preparedness and resilient communities’. Beyond the EU, our international cooperation will continue to expand, under the new EUDA International Cooperation Framework adopted in 2025.
The Single programming document 2026–2028 describes how communication and stakeholder engagement, research and foresight, digital transformation and organisational development will underpin all of our work for the next three years. It also shows how internal governance, digital systems, staff development and resource management are evolving to ensure that the agency remains agile, customer-focused and fit for purpose in a rapidly changing drug environment. Guiding this evolution will be the new EUDA Strategy, which will be developed in 2026 under the leadership of Dr Lorraine Nolan and in close collaboration with the agency’s key stakeholders and partners.
