Enhancing the security of citizens against terrorism and lone-actor violence in confined spaces such as schools

¿De qué trata esta convocatoria?

The topic funds research and solutions to prevent terrorism and lone-actor violence in schools and other publicly accessible buildings, with respect for fundamental rights. Projects are expected to reach technology readiness level 6-8.

¿Qué financia esta convocatoria?

Scope

Citizens in European schools and other confined spaces, such as places of worship, public administration and other publicly accessible buildings, increasingly face terrorism and lone-actor violence. The topic aims to give such places solutions for the civil security of pupils, school staff, administrative workers and the public, by exploring societal and technological means of prevention with full respect for fundamental rights such as privacy and the protection of personal data.

What proposals should address

• A thorough analysis of the phenomenon in the European context, and methodologies for catching and tackling early signs of terrorist threats, isolation and radicalisation, taking into account social and cultural factors such as gender roles and stereotypes and their effect on the effectiveness of prevention programmes.
• Prevention programmes, including modernised approaches to preventing terrorist and lone-actor attacks.
• Awareness raising and possibly training of relevant staff (school staff, public administration employees) on existing risks and security updates, designed to be inclusive and effective for diverse groups.
• Ways to improve cooperation between relevant staff and police authorities.
• Solutions affordable to public schools and other publicly accessible structures that usually have limited funding.

Activities should combine social research with technological development in a logical way, and the topic requires social sciences and humanities expertise. Proposals should set out plans for later uptake and upscaling at national and EU level, build on EU-funded projects such as those under two named earlier topics, and avoid duplicating previous research. If drug-related issues are involved, projects are expected to engage with the EU Drugs Agency, including to validate outcomes. Coordination among successful proposals should avoid duplication, and proposals should address the applicable considerations in the introduction to the Fighting Crime and Terrorism destination. Activities are expected to reach technology readiness level 6-8 by the end of the project.

Expected outcomes

Contributions to some or all of: better understanding by policymakers and practitioners of terrorism and lone-actor violence in confined places in Europe; prevention of attacks, for example by detecting early signs of isolation and radicalisation and promoting secure, inclusive environments; state-of-the-art security means for schools and other confined places; and better cooperation between police authorities and relevant staff.

¿Qué se espera de las propuestas?

• Proposals should plan a mid-term deliverable assessing project outcomes, performed by the practitioners involved in the project.

¿Cuándo termina el plazo?

5 de noviembre de 2026

5 November 2026.