EU-funded technology strengthening Europe’s security

On 17-18 June, the Commission showcased how innovative EU-funded European technologies will help European law enforcement authorities to fight cross-border organised crime and terrorism with faster, more accurate and interoperable identification and detection technology.

Over 150 participants from European police authorities, customs officers, Commission services and JHA agencies, international organisations and European innovators gathered for the Joint Demonstration Event on European innovation on Detection and Security from Horizon Research and Innovation Projects in Geel, Belgium. The event was organised by the Commission's DG HOME, DG TAXUD and JRC, and held under the Community for European Research and Innovation for Security (CERIS) and the JRC Border Security Lab with help from the Belgian Customs and the Belgian Police.

Innovators demonstrated prototypes of European cutting-edge solutions for detection of narcotics, explosives, weapons, illegally trafficked cultural goods, illicit cash, precursors of illicit substances, and other restricted goods.

Prototypes demonstrated in real or simulated environments included portable sensors and sniffers for rapid, on-site detection; screening systems for parcels, baggage, containers, vehicles; and AI-driven analytics to improve detection accuracy.

The event is a key deliverable of the implementation of the EU Action Plan against Drug Trafficking as well as the EU Strategy to Tackle Organised Crime.

The Commission continues supporting European innovation in security. It ensures future capabilities and strategic autonomy for European users and authorities, as well as European competitiveness. Funding for new EU-funded research and innovation in security is available now under Horizon Europe Cluster 3, with deadline on 5 November 2026. Moreover, the Commission proposed a new European Competitiveness Fund (2028-2034) to provide strengthened and long-term support for European security technology as well as updated public procurement rules for strategic civilian sectors, in particular law enforcement and customs security.

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