JPI Oceans and the Royal Military Academy of Belgium recently represented the MMinE-SwEEPER project at the sixth edition of the Projects to Policy Seminar, a two-day event organised by DG HOME and the European Research Executive Agency (REA). The seminar brought together a wide range of stakeholders working at the intersection of research and policymaking in the field of security. The event convened representatives from EU agencies, project teams funded under the Horizon Europe Cluster 3 Secure Societies Call 2023, and officials from the European Commission, providing an excellent opportunity to exchange knowledge, explore challenges and foster connections across the European security research landscape. Around 20 projects participated, and MMinE-SwEEPER was able to share its objectives and initial findings, while engaging in constructive dialogue with key actors including FRONTEX and EUROPOL. A particular focus was given to the role of the Community for European Research and Innovation for Security (CERIS) in supporting cooperation between research and policy communities, and in aligning project outcomes with EU priorities.
The seminar also facilitated valuable new connections with the VIGIMARE and SEAGUARD projects, both of which share overlapping stakeholder groups and have expressed interest in collaborating with the MMinE-SwEEPER consortium. These links will be especially useful in the lead-up to our forthcoming Knowledge Transfer Workshops, and in enhancing the project’s engagement with coast and border guard authorities across Europe. Overall, the event highlighted the importance of continued dialogue between EU-funded research initiatives and the policymaking sphere, and reaffirmed the added value of working in close partnership across projects and institutions.
Photo credits of news tile: Paul Trautendorfer (JPI Oceans)
