Under the International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005) and the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) framework, WHO provides support to Member States to improve national capacity to engage communities through enhanced use of social science-based interventions (SSIs) before, during and after health emergencies. The SocialNET training, a global initiative of WHO, was the first of its kind in the European Region and was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on 10–14 December 2018. It strengthens WHO/Europe’s efforts to build skills in emergency risk communication (ERC) and community engagement as part of the ERC five-step capacity-building package.