WHO/Europe’s risk communication, community engagement and infodemic management (RCCE-IM) Capability Mapping Tool (CapMap) and Pocket RCCE-IM Plan Creator are innovative digital tools designed to support countries in assessing and strengthening RCCE-IM capabilities and integrating them into all-hazard emergency planning.

RCCE-IM connects health authorities and communities, enabling people to make informed decisions and become active partners in emergency response. Health security is not only about systems and protocols – it’s about people. RCCE-IM is the bridge between institutions and communities, between policy and trust.

Drawing on technical expertise co-funded by the European Union through the EU4Health programme and the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework, and informed by more than 100 experts, the tools translate lessons from past emergencies into practical action – helping identify gaps, strengthen capacities and build community resilience and protection.

Preparedness starts with understanding existing strengths and gaps. Strong RCCE-IM requires an honest assessment of what teams know, what they can do and where gaps remain – followed by targeted planning and capacity-building before a crisis strikes.

Free and easy to use, CapMap and Pocket Plan Creator help countries, organizations, teams and individuals assess, plan and act – putting communities at the heart of health security.

Two complementary tools

The two tools work best together, moving from assessment to planning and action. For those new to RCCE-IM, CapMap provides a starting point to identify strengths and gaps, followed by the Pocket Plan Creator to translate these insights into practical preparedness and response plans.

1. RCCE-IM Capability Mapping Tool (CapMap)

   CapMap helps RCCE-IM professionals and teams assess their knowledge, skills, structures and systems; identify strengths and gaps; and pinpoint capacity-building needs. Built on the WHO global RCCE competency framework and adapted into a capability framework for the European Region, CapMap covers six subject areas, 20 domains and 77 subdomains. A shorter 20-question version provides a quick snapshot, and the 77-question version offers a more comprehensive assessment.

2. Pocket RCCE-IM Plan Creator

The Pocket Plan Creator turns insights into practical preparedness and response plans. Through 10 interactive modules, it supports the development of all-hazard and hazard-specific RCCE-IM plans, guiding teams through key elements such as audiences, channels, partners and resources. It includes practical plan templates, checklists and a comprehensive resource package to support planning and implementation.

Together, they support users to assess, plan and act – strengthening RCCE-IM preparedness before and during emergencies.