European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats

The European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats (Hybrid CoE; Euroopan hybridiuhkien torjunnan osaamiskeskus) is a network-based international and independent hub for practitioners and experts based in Helsinki, Finland. The Hybrid CoE focuses on responses to hybrid threats under the auspices of the European Union (EU) and NATO.

Function
Hybrid CoE is described as a 'do tank' that conducts training courses and exercises, hosts workshops for policymakers and practitioners, and produces white papers on hybrid threats, such as vulnerabilities in an electrical grid or possible exploitation of vaguely written legislation.

History
The Centre was formally established in April 2017 under Finnish law, with a memorandum of understanding between eight European states and the United States and in alignment with EU and NATO decisions. As of March 2022, it had 22 member states. The Centre was inaugurated in October 2017 and allotted a budget of 1.5 million euros. It was first located in the Sörnäinen neighbourhood of Helsinki and was staffed by fifteen persons in 2018 with international expert networks to support them.