CERIS Workshop on synergies in EU funding for Civil Security

On 17 September 2025, the Community for European Research and Innovation for Security (CERIS) held an invitation-only workshop in Brussels. The event, organised by DG HOME with support from DG ECHO, brought together Member States’ delegates from different EU committees and mechanisms to enhance collaboration and innovation in civil security through better use of EU funding mechanisms.

The workshop helped to:

• Improve networking and coordination at national and EU level between EU research initiatives and EU security funds and mechanisms.
• Promote integrated and capability-based programming for European innovation in civil security (internal security, border management, civil protection).

The workshop also helped the delegates to better understand and use the opportunities inherent in EU funding instruments and tools.

A total of close to one hundred participants from 27 EU Member States attended. Key groups included delegates from committees in charge of Home Affairs Funds, Horizon Europe (research), and the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM).

The workshop achieved several important outcomes:

• Better Networking: Delegates from different committees met for the first time, fostering new national-level contacts and collaborations.
• National Follow-Ups: Some countries will continue the discussion on the topics at the national level.
• Improved Understanding: Participants learned more about EU funding instruments and their potential synergies, with positive feedback on tools like Pre-Commercial Procurement.
• Identified Opportunities: Potential areas for future programming were identified in several member states.
• Success Stories: Examples of successful synergies and innovative procurement were shared from countries like Spain, France, Italy, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands and Norway.

This workshop marks an essential step in fostering collaboration and innovation within the EU's civil security sector. By bringing together different committees, the workshop set the stage for future interdisciplinary efforts to enhance European security and resilience.