Athens, Greece, October 2026

From 19 to 23 October 2026, the Horizon Europe project TeamUP will conduct its second and final Full-Scale Trial in Athens, Greece. Hosted by the Hellenic Ministry of National Defence (HMOD) at the Hellenic Air Force Academy, the five-day trial will bring together first responders, CBRN-E experts and non-experts, researchers and technology providers. The aim is to test the final TeamUP tools in a realistic chemical and biological incident scenario.

The Full-Scale Trial in Athens marks the final major field testing activity in TeamUP’s three-year development and validation programme. Since the project began in January 2024, its technologies have progressed through laboratory testing, usability and small-scale trials, integration activities and, most recently, the first Full-Scale Trial in Lyon in August 2026. Feedback gathered throughout this process has been used to progressively refine the solutions that will now be assessed in their third and final prototype versions.

Building on the lessons from Lyon

The Athens Trial complements the first Full-Scale Trial held in Lyon. While Lyon focused on radiological and explosive threats and involved experienced CBRN-E practitioners, the main scenario in Athens will centre on chemical and biological hazards, with particular attention to supporting responders who may not have specialist CBRN-E expertise.

The scenario will simulate an incident in a public building where several people begin showing symptoms of a potential chemical or biological release. Police, firefighters and medical responders arriving at the scene must recognise the potential threat, secure the area and initiate the response while specialised CBRN-E teams are mobilised. As the situation develops, participants will work through key stages of the response, including detection and identification, command and coordination, search and rescue, triage, health monitoring and decontamination.

The trial will examine how different TeamUP solutions can support responders throughout an evolving incident and how information can be shared between teams in the field and command structures.

Testing an integrated toolkit

TeamUP brings together a broad range of technologies designed to strengthen different stages of CBRN-E preparedness and response. In Athens, these solutions will be tested within interconnected operational areas.

Among the technologies to be assessed are portable chemical and biological detection systems, the Digital Triage Toolkit, wearable devices for first responders, AR Glasses, environmental sensors and a UAV-based platform. Decontamination technologies will include the Fast Deployable Mass Decontamination System and an AI-supported Body Pose Estimation Tool, designed to guide users through the decontamination process.

At the coordination level, tools such as the Incident Management System and Worksite Operations App are intended to connect information from the field with the wider operational picture. This will allow the trial to assess not only the performance and usability of individual solutions, but also how effectively they exchange information and contribute to an integrated response.

Radiological and explosive detection technologies will also undergo separate side tests, complementing the main chemical and biological scenario.

Training before testing

A central element of the Athens Trial is training. TeamUP recognises that technology can only support responders effectively if users understand both the operational context and how to work with the tools.

Selected participants with no CBRN-E experience will therefore complete modules from the MELODY CBRN training curriculum through self-paced online learning ahead of the trial. The training introduces essential topics such as CBRN-E terminology, recognising a possible release, routes of exposure, safe arrival at an incident scene and personal protection.

This will be followed by practical technology training in Athens before participants move into the operational testing phase. The approach will allow the project to examine an important question alongside technical performance: can responders learn to use the solutions effectively and apply them within the demands of a complex CBRN-E response?

Putting the final prototypes to the test

The Athens trial is a structured assessment of TeamUP’s final prototypes in near-operational conditions. Practitioners will assess their technical performance, usability and compatibility with operational procedures, as well as the integration between individual components.

The trial will combine practical testing, scenario-based activities, structured evaluation and debriefing. Feedback from first responders and other participants will provide evidence on how the technologies perform in practice, where further development may be required and how the solutions could contribute to future CBRN-E preparedness and response.

Representatives from TeamUP partner organisations will be joined by Greek military and civilian response organisations, bringing together different operational perspectives and areas of expertise.

The final step in TeamUP’s testing journey

The Athens Full-Scale Trial represents the culmination of a testing process that has accompanied the development of TeamUP technologies throughout the project.

Earlier laboratory and field tests examined individual technologies, user requirements and specific functionalities. The two Full-Scale Trials bring these strands together in broader operational scenarios. Lyon provided the opportunity to assess TeamUP solutions with experienced CBRN-E practitioners; Athens adds a complementary chemical and biological scenario and a stronger focus on training and supporting responders with different levels of CBRN-E experience.

Together, the findings will contribute to the final evaluation and consolidation of the TeamUP toolkit as the project approaches its conclusion in December 2026. The results will help identify the operational value of the solutions, remaining development needs and opportunities for their continued use and exploitation beyond the project.

About TeamUP

TeamUP – Holistic Capability and Technology Evaluation and Co-creation Framework for Unskilled First Responders and Enhanced CBRN-E Response is a Horizon Europe project developing and evaluating technologies, training and operational approaches to strengthen preparedness for chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive incidents.

The project brings together research organisations, technology developers, first responder organisations, training centres and other CBRN-E stakeholders from across Europe.

Event details

TeamUP Full-Scale Trial 2
19–23 October 2026 | Athens, Greece
Host and organiser: Hellenic Ministry of National Defence (HMOD)
Local organisation: Special Joint CBRN Company, HMOD
Campaign Manager: Institute of Communication and Computer Systems (ICCS)
Main scenario: Chemical and biological incident
Focus: Final prototype testing, system integration, training, usability and operational relevance

TeamUP has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Project number 101121167.

Contact:

Communication Lead: Johanniter International (JOIN)
info@teamup-project.eu

Project information:

Duration: January 2024 – December 2026

Coordinator: Institute of Communication and Computer Systems (ICCS)

Project number: 101121167

www.teamup-project.eu