Building future-ready civil protection workplaces in Athens

CESI, together with EPAYPS, organised the eQualPRO National Sectoral Conference on Civil Protection on Friday, 23 January 2026, held in Athens and online. The conference explored how artificial intelligence and digital transformation are reshaping civil protection services—and how social dialogue can ensure these changes support equality at work, ethical governance, and fair career opportunities for everyone.

The agenda opened by framing the European dimension of social dialogue and equality at work, positioning AI as both a potential lever for progress and a risk if deployed without safeguards. Discussions highlighted the need to anticipate gendered impacts of new technologies and to strengthen inclusive approaches as digital tools become embedded in public services.

Key conference sessions addressed:

• AI and civil protection policy direction, including public safety objectives, ethics and accountability, and the importance of risk-based adoption of AI systems.
• EU equality policies at work, looking at practical implications for workplaces—such as work–life balance, women’s participation and leadership, and how equality goals can be translated into day-to-day employment realities.

A dedicated panel discussion focused on what it takes to build AI-enabled civil protection services while ensuring workplaces remain fair and sustainable. The debate centred on:

• Governance: rules, oversight and integrity mechanisms to ensure trust and accountability;
• Skills: preparing workers for new tools and roles through training and lifelong learning;
• Social dialogue: involving workers and their representatives in technology-related decisions;
• Fair career progression: preventing new forms of bias and ensuring equal access to development and advancement in the AI era.

The conference closed with key takeaways and follow-up orientations, reinforcing eQualPRO’s objective: to support social partner-driven solutions so that digital transformation in public services strengthens equal opportunities, improves working conditions, and enhances the quality and resilience of civil protection systems.