The Horizon Europe programme for 2025 continues to reinforce the EU’s commitment to building a safer, more secure, and resilient Europe. Cluster 3 — Civil Security for Society — addresses pressing security challenges, from terrorism and organized crime to cybersecurity, disaster resilience, and border protection.
In an era shaped by geopolitical tensions, hybrid threats, and natural hazards, the EU aims to foster innovation that protects people, strengthens institutions, and enhances the preparedness and responsiveness of our societies.
The Focus of Cluster 3
Cluster 3 supports research and innovation (R&I) initiatives that help the EU and its Member States better respond to modern security challenges, while aligning with broader EU strategies such as:
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The New European Internal Security Strategy
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The Counter-Terrorism Agenda
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The EU Action Plan on Drug Trafficking
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The EU Cybersecurity Strategy
Key Destinations in Cluster 3
The 2025 Work Programme outlines six main destinations under Cluster 3, each tackling a major security dimension:
1. Better protect the EU and its citizens against crime and terrorism
Projects in this area focus on:
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Fighting organized crime, drug trafficking, and radicalization
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Enhancing forensic capabilities and crime prevention
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Improving the understanding of social roots of criminal behaviors
2. Effective management of EU external borders
Focus areas include:
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Advanced surveillance technologies
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Improved interoperability of border systems
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Efficient border crossing while maintaining high security standards
3. Resilient infrastructures
Ensuring the protection of:
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Critical infrastructures (transport, energy, digital, etc.)
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Public spaces and supply chains against physical and cyber threats
4. Increased cybersecurity
This destination promotes:
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Advanced tools for preventing, detecting, and responding to cyberattacks
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Enhancing digital autonomy and protecting data integrity
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Human-centric cybersecurity design
5. Disaster-resilient societies
Projects will support:
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Climate-related emergency preparedness
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Natural and human-made disaster response
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Early warning systems and citizen protection measures
6. Strengthened security research and innovation
This includes:
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Capacity building in Member States
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Improving the uptake of R&I results in security policies
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Promoting innovation through co-creation with end-users
Funding Outlook and Priorities
For 2025, Horizon Europe will continue to invest significantly in security-focused R&I, ensuring that the EU remains prepared for a wide range of security scenarios. The cluster aims to support:
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Cross-border cooperation among stakeholders
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Development of interoperable and scalable security solutions
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Implementation of climate-resilient security infrastructure
How to Apply
Projects under Cluster 3 are typically collaborative and require multi-stakeholder consortia. Application calls are accessible through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal and are published under specific destinations.
For step-by-step instructions on eligibility, proposal design, and submission, refer to Part 1 of this guide — your essential overview of Horizon Europe’s application process.
Conclusion: Security through Innovation
From cyber resilience to border control and emergency preparedness, Cluster 3 channels innovation toward the safety and security of Europe’s citizens and systems. It offers a unique opportunity for stakeholders — including public authorities, researchers, SMEs, and NGOs — to co-create solutions that make a real impact.
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Let’s build a safer future — together.
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