Abstract: A curable composition comprising a) an epoxy resin containing on average more than one epoxy group per molecule, and b) as curing agent a hybrid hardener, whereby said hardener is a blend of b1) an aminic compound selected from aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, araliphatic amines, imidazoline group-containing amidoamines based on mono- or polybasic acids, adducts of said amines or amidoamines made from glycidyl compounds, adducts of said amines or amidoamines with cyclic carbonates, whereby said aminic compound contains, on average per molecule, at least two reactive hydrogen atoms bound to nitrogen atoms, and b2) a polyphenol novolac, and wherein the polyphenol novolac is used in an amount of from 30% to 45% by weight, based on the total weight of hardener blend comprising b1) and b2), useful for rapid setting and protective coatings and adhesives in application fields like civil engineering, marine, architectural and maintenance.