Horizon Europe support to strengthen civil security in 2025

In a context marked by geopolitical instability, climate change, and increasing digital risks, the EU is redefining its approach to civil security. Through Cluster 3 of the Horizon Europe programme – which this year has a budget of approximately €400 million – Brussels is promoting the funding of technological and social solutions to strengthen institutional resilience, protect critical infrastructure, and foster public trust. The 2025 calls for proposals, which close on 12 November, consolidate this strategic direction and open up new opportunities for public actors, research centres, and specialised companies. In this way, “civil security is redefined as a cross-cutting network encompassing everything from climate risk management to the protection of democratic institutions,” emphasises Jorge Lorente, Senior Consultant at Zabala Innovation.

What is Cluster 3: Civil Security for Society?

Cluster 3 of the Horizon Europe programme, Civil Security for Society, is one of the thematic pillars of the EU’s main research and innovation funding instrument. Its purpose is to strengthen collective security through integrated solutions that respond to threats such as organised crime, cyberattacks, violent extremism, natural disasters, or hybrid crises.

“This strategic line is based on a broad, preventive view of security, in which technological innovation, institutional resilience and social cohesion act as complementary pillars,” explains Lorente, who adds: “In the current geopolitical and climate context, the European Commission has opted for a systemic approach that goes beyond traditional risk response mechanisms. Anticipation, adaptability and inclusion are consolidated as operational principles.”

Context and strategic relevance

Cluster 3 comprises five main thematic areas, known as destinations, which form the framework of the 2025–2027 work programme. One of these areas focuses on protection against crime and terrorism, with particular emphasis on violent radicalisation, security in public spaces, and the management of biological or chemical threats.

Another is dedicated to effective surveillance and control of external borders, combining technology, interoperability, and fundamental rights. The strengthening of critical infrastructure – from hospitals to energy networks – is a third priority, with attention given to physical, digital, and institutional resilience in the face of disasters.

Cybersecurity, increasingly cross-cutting, leads another of the strategic lines, supported by the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre (ECCC). Finally, collaborative, results-oriented research is promoted through the involvement of operational stakeholders and vulnerable communities. This social dimension — often overlooked in other programmes — is key in Cluster 3, which incorporates the principle of inclusive security as an operational condition.

Through Kaila – the intelligent platform developed by Zabala Innovation, which allows users to search for funding, quantify the latest innovation trends, track competitors and identify potential collaborators – it is possible to obtain all the details of the Cluster 3 Horizon Europe calls and many other initiatives.

How to submit a proposal for Cluster 3 of Horizon Europe

Applying for a Horizon Europe call requires meeting a series of basic eligibility criteria. The first is forming an international consortium with at least three independent entities from three different countries, whether Member States or associated countries. “From there, each proposal must clearly align with the specific objectives of the call it targets,” notes Lorente.

According to this expert, “the proposals with the greatest chance of success are those based on a specific need identified in the field and that involve, from the outset, the future users of the solutions developed.” In fact, one of the changes introduced by the European Commission in recent programmes has been the early validation of technologies by police, firefighters, civil protection personnel or local authorities. According to Brussels’ intentions, this direct collaboration enables the tools to be tailored to operational realities and avoids inefficient investments.

The usual timeline stipulates that, after the call closes in November, evaluations will take place between December and February. Results will be communicated in spring 2026, and projects will begin after the grant agreement is signed with the relevant executive agency.

Key elements for writing a successful proposal

“A strong proposal for Cluster 3 is not limited to presenting an innovative technology. It must demonstrate its real impact on improving civil security, its technical feasibility, and its alignment with European policies,” Lorente highlights. “Furthermore, it is essential to include a robust ethical approach, respecting fundamental rights and taking into account the communities potentially affected,” he insists.

One of the most common mistakes this expert points out is underestimating the social dimension of security. “In recent crises, such as the health or climate crisis, it has become clear that gaps in access to information or protective equipment create vulnerabilities that worsen the impact. That is why proposals including mechanisms for active inclusion, training, or accessibility tend to receive better evaluations,” Lorente explains.

Another key aspect is strategic alignment, according to the expert. Proposals must show that they are aligned not only with the specific destination but also with the broader set of European initiatives structuring the response to hybrid threats. “Initiatives such as the European Green Deal, the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy or the Defence of Democracy Plan provide context and legitimacy to the proposed solutions,” Lorente notes.

Project narrative also plays a central role. Beyond the technical component, evaluators value the clarity of the proposal, its internal logic, the quality of the consortium, and the credibility of the implementation plan. Coherence, specificity, and the ability to demonstrate impact are ultimately the decisive factors.

How to access Cluster 3 funding

“The application process begins with selecting a specific call within the 2025 Work Programme. Each line includes a detailed description of the challenges to be addressed, the expected outcomes, the required technological readiness level, and the specific evaluation criteria,” explains Lorente.

Once the call has been selected, entities must register on the funding portal and complete the proposal using the official template. This includes a technical section, where objectives, methodological approach and expected impact are described, as well as a financial and management section.

In parallel, it is necessary to submit an ethics statement, identify potential security risks, and ensure compliance with data protection regulations. “Projects involving sensitive information, the use of drones, surveillance algorithms or crisis scenario simulations must undergo additional assessment,” Lorente warns.

Once submitted, the proposal will be evaluated by a panel of experts based on three main criteria: excellence, impact, and implementation. Only those that score highly in all sections and pass the additional checks will be eligible for funding.