Where a corps and a network meet
Common Effort exists at the point where civilian and military worlds depend on each other. This page tells that story from two sides: the multinational headquarters that gives it structure, and the network that gives it reach.
A multinational headquarters built on cooperation
1 German-Netherlands Corps is a multinational warfighting headquarters assigned to NATO and the EU, leading forces in land-heavy operations. Based in Münster, it is one of NATO's high-readiness corps headquarters, able to command large multinational formations at short notice.
The Corps was established in 1995 as a symbol of close cooperation between the Netherlands and Germany after the Cold War. Both nations combined parts of their land forces into a single headquarters, marking a new era of European security cooperation in which former divisions made way for integration and collective defence.
From the very beginning, 1GNC has embraced a comprehensive approach, working closely with civilian and military partners alike. That approach lets the Corps adapt and operate effectively across very different environments, from large-scale operations to stability missions alongside international organisations and civil actors.
Since 1 July 2026, 1GNC has held tactical command responsibility for land forces in Estonia and Latvia. The step is part of the new NATO Force Model, under which the Alliance keeps more forces at higher readiness so it can respond more quickly when it matters.
A network born from a hard-won lesson
The story of Common Effort began in 2010, when it became clear that peace support operations in Afghanistan could only succeed through strong civil-military cooperation. In those operations, mutual understanding and informal relationships proved just as vital as formal structures and agreements.
Building on those lessons, Common Effort shifted its focus after 2015 to the Sahel, where connecting economic development with security became essential to countering the threat of violent extremist groups. Guided by the same spirit of collaboration and trust, it continued to bring diverse partners together, strengthening resilience side by side.
From that starting point, Common Effort evolved into a platform that brings together civil society actors, governments, and military forces. The aim is simple and demanding at once: to improve collaboration and mutual understanding, and to meet the complexity of modern operations together.
Where 1GNC provides the structure and reach of a multinational headquarters, Common Effort provides the connective tissue between civilian and military worlds. Together, they turn cooperation into capability.