In July 2012, the European Union (EU) launched EUCAP Nestor, a regional civilian maritime capacity building mission which aimed at supporting hosting countries in developing self-sustaining capacity to enhance maritime security sector. EUCAP Nestor was mandated to work across the Horn of Africa and Western Indian Ocean, with a focus on counter-piracy.
At the end of 2016, following a strategic review, the Mission was rebranded as EUCAP Somalia, with activities focusing only on Somalia.