In March this year, the European Commission released a project funding call for the Civil Security for Society policy Cluster 3. The commission will accept proposals from any organization, institution, or firm that working in relation to the Cluster’s goals.
The Cluster focuses on promoting and facilitating a disaster-resilient EU society, and increased internal security, including and perhaps especially cybersecurity. This newest work program has been designed to support the implementation of such policy priorities while building on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and the war of aggression in Ukraine. More broadly, projects should work to support the Commission’s three policy pillars of ‘Promoting the European way of life’, the ‘European Green Deal’ and ‘Europe fit for the digital age’.
The Work Program is a multifaceted and robust call for proposals that will support the implementation of numerous other EU policy goals such as the Security Union Strategy, the Counter-Terrorism Agenda, the EU Strategy to tackle Organised Crime, the EU Strategy on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, the EU strategy for a more effective fight against child sexual abuse, the EU Action Plan on firearms trafficking, and the border management and security dimensions of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, among others. The commission is looking for projects that can be immediately implemented in the field, innovations that will reduce EU dependence on other nations, and future oriented solutions to the growing complexity of security challenges. In particular, it is looking to increase the EU’s security in the digital sphere, allocating 119,1 million Euros for the 2023-2024 period to projects intended to strengthen EU cybersecurity capacities, and sovereignty, improve digital infrastructures, increase supply chain security, standardize security assurance and certification and more.
In order to achieve the Civil Security for Society’s goals the Work Program is divided into project calls related to six focus areas, or ‘destinations’ as they are called in the Horizon Europe document.
- Better protect the EU and its citizens against crime and terrorism
- Effective management of EU external borders
- Resilient infrastructure
- Increased Cybersecurity
- A Disaster-Resilient Society for Europe
- Strengthened Security Research and Innovation
Additionally, the document details the specific project calls, and expected impacts of project proposals in each ‘destination.’ Primary among the expected Cluster 3 impacts are contributions to the Key Strategic Orientation D which promotes “a resilient EU prepared for emerging threats,” “a secure, open and democratic EU society,” and “secure and cybersecure digital technology.” The projects should also contribute to the Key Strategic Orientation A which focusses on “promoting an open strategic autonomy by leading the development of key digital, enabling and emerging technologies, sectors and value chains.”
Each of the ‘destinations’ have their own designated budget and specific project calls and themes. All proposals should explicitly contribute to the goals listed under the destinations, and project calls. For further information on the specific project calls, and goals of the Work Program, see this link: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2023-2024/wp-6-civil-security-for-society_horizon-2023-2024_en.pdf
Sources:
https://www.ffg.at/europa/heu/cluster3
https://ncpflanders.be/programmes/civil-security-for-society
