Projects

The project forsees the following activities:

1. Stocktaking of the ongoing and new European research projects relevant for border security domain.
- Stocktaking together with DG ENTER, HOME and REA, in January-March 2014, of the ongoing and new EU funded research projects relevant for border security;
- Stocktaking, during the period January - October 2014 of the ongoing and new European research projects relevant for border security which use other financial sources than FP7 financing (e.g. Industry’s own funds).

2. Organizing an exhibition in the framework of the European Day for Border Guards - ED4BG (22 May 2014) dedicated to the presentation to the participants of ED4BG of the scope, goals and results of the ongoing/new EU funded research projects.

3. Organizing on 23 May 2014 (next day after the ED4DG), in Frontex, a workshop between the leaders of the EU funded research projects identified above, the Advisory Group on Border Security Research + 1 expert/MS, relevant European bodies and Frontex staff in order to:

- present the projects to the audience;

- obtain feedback and ideas on how to steer/improve the projects’ content in order to better serve to the end user’s interest; 

- underline the possible overlapping with previous projects in order to eliminate it; establish contacts between projects and interested users;

- open the discussions on possible demonstrations that could take place in interested countries;

- draft a plan with FP7 activities that will take place during the year in discussion (projects’ meetings, workshops etc.) and further;

- establish interactions and synergies between projects (if it is the case).

4. Organizing in the fourth quarter of the year (December 2014), in Frontex, a 2 days’ workshop with European Industry and Academia which develop new relevant border security projects using other financial sources than FP7 financing (e.g. Industry’s own funds), the Advisory Group on Border Security Research, relevant European bodies and Frontex staff, in order to:

- present the projects to the Advisory Group and Frontex;

- obtain Advisory Group’s feedback and ideas on how to steer/improve the projects’ content in order to better serve to the end user’s interest; 

- underline the possible overlapping with previous or ongoing projects, including EU funded projects;

- establish contacts between projects and interested users;

- open the discussions on possible demonstrations that could take place in interested countries; draft a plan with relevant activities to follow for the next year (projects’ meetings, workshops, demonstrations etc.);

- establish interactions and synergies between projects (if it is the case). 

5. Organizing in September 2014, in Frontex, a 1 day workshop with the European Commission (DG ENTR and DG CONNECT) and the Advisory Group on Border Security Research + 1 expert/MS, on the Pre-Commercial Procurement instrument (PCP) in order to:

- brief/train MSs experts on the new approach by which public authorities can acquire research and development services and related results, with the purpose of steering the development of new innovations towards public sector needs;

- explore the potential of PCP for border security authorities and if there is any interest is using it. 

6. Perform other relevant activities:

- participate in EU funded projects’ reviews, as reviewers

- attend the projects’ workshops and demonstrations and to facilitate the participation of interested Member States;

- support FSC and RAU in the involvement in Sagres and Lobos projects;

- inform the European bodies involved (DG ENTER/REA/DG HOME) on the deviations registered/noticed by Frontex concerning the border security projects funded through European funds;

- support with expertise, but also facilitate the interaction with the Frontex Operations Division, the consortia led by MSs which are involved in EU funded research projects in the framework of POV (Preoperational Validation) for maritime and land surveillance (e.g. Closeye project led by Guardia Civil-Spain).