Community policing in diverse societies in Europe

The funding opportunity titled "Community policing in diverse societies in Europe" (HORIZON-CL3-2027-01-FCT-02) is part of the Horizon Europe program, specifically targeting civil security in societal contexts. This initiative allocates a total budget of €6 million for 2027, with each project expected to receive €3 million in a lump sum grant format. The program is set to open for applications on May 5, 2027, and will close on November 4, 2027.

Eligible applicants must form a consortium consisting of at least three Police Authorities and two Civil Society Organizations or Non-Governmental Organizations from a minimum of three different EU Member States or Associated Countries. The focus is on innovating community policing practices, particularly addressing the complexities of increasingly diverse and fragmented societies—especially in post-conflict scenarios such as Ukraine.

The primary target sector includes civil security with emphasis on enhancing community policing and building trust between police and various communities, including marginalized groups. Proposals should explore innovative strategies for police training, methodology development, and community engagement, integrating social sciences with technology.

Projects funded under this opportunity are expected to produce actionable outcomes, including modernized training curriculums, new tools and methodologies for police work, and effective approaches to integrating diverse populations into community safety efforts. The projects should also tackle issues related to crime prevention and the reduction of hate crimes while fostering social cohesion.

Moreover, collaborations with research institutions or academic partners are encouraged, highlighting a multidisciplinary approach that merges academic insights with practical policing needs. The expectation of cooperation extends to relevant European security agencies and institutions, aiming for effective implementation and validation of project findings.

Potential applicants should prepare for a highly competitive selection process given that only two projects will be funded from a large pool of potential submissions. Success rates are expected to be low, likely between 10-39%, necessitating meticulous proposal development. While specific co-funding requirements were not mentioned, it is advised that applicants consult the Horizon Europe guidelines for any potential obligations.

In summary, this funding call seeks to enhance community policing and security measures in Europe through innovative partnerships and diverse approaches, responding to contemporary societal challenges and the necessity for effective law enforcement strategies that respect and understand community diversity.

This EU funding opportunity focuses on community policing in diverse societies within Europe. The program, titled "Community policing in diverse societies in Europe," falls under the Horizon Europe (HORIZON) program, specifically the Civil Security for Society 2027 call (HORIZON-CL3-2027-01). It aims to address the challenges of community policing in increasingly diverse and fragile societies, including the integration of returnees from conflict zones, migrants, and marginalized communities such as LGBTIQ individuals and various ethnic and religious groups.

The program type is HORIZON-IA (HORIZON Innovation Actions), utilizing a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS] Model Grant Agreement (MGA). It follows a single-stage deadline model with a planned opening date of May 5, 2027, and a deadline of November 4, 2027, at 17:00:00 Brussels time.

The scope of the funding opportunity includes fostering inclusive community policing practices that adapt to complex societal dynamics, particularly with a post-conflict dimension in the context of Ukraine. Proposals should explore innovative approaches in police education, training, and management, moving beyond traditional models to effectively engage with a diversifying society.

Key activities involve identifying and developing effective practices and training programs that promote a deeper understanding of diversity among police personnel, integrating a gender-sensitive and intersectional approach where relevant. The program also seeks to assess the effectiveness of cooperation with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) or Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in enhancing reporting mechanisms, reducing hate crimes, and strengthening trust between the police and the population.

The expected outcomes of the projects include:

New tools, skills, and methodologies for Police Authorities in Europe to deal efficiently with diverse communities and diversity among police personnel.
Increased trust in Police Authorities.
Modern and effective training curricula for Police Authorities in Europe on community policing in diverse societies, including post-conflict zones, addressing the needs of individuals from various social, ethnic, and religious backgrounds, as well as marginalized groups.

The program encourages activities that combine social sciences with technological development and applications. It requires the effective contribution of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) disciplines and the involvement of SSH experts and institutions to enhance the societal impact of the research activities.

Proposals should outline plans for future uptake and upscaling at national and EU levels. They should also consider and build upon previous research, avoid duplication, and coordinate with other successful proposals to exploit complementarities and increase impact. Projects addressing drug-related issues are expected to engage with the EU Drugs Agency for outcome validation. Cooperation with CEPOL is expected for training aspects of Police Authorities, provided CEPOL does not apply for funding. A mid-term deliverable assessing the project’s mid-term outcomes by involved practitioners is required. Proposals should address all applicable considerations in the Introduction of the Fighting Crime and Terrorism Destination.

Eligibility conditions include adherence to proposal page limits and layout as described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and Part B of the Application Form. Eligible countries are described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. The program encourages participation from non-EU/non-Associated Countries with specific funding provisions.

Additional eligibility criteria mandate the active involvement, as beneficiaries, of at least 3 Police Authorities and at least 2 Civil Society Organisations (or Non-Governmental Organisations) from at least 3 different EU Member States or Associated Countries. Applicants must provide information about security practitioners in the application form. Entities controlled by China or established in China are not eligible, aligning with restrictions on control in innovation actions in critical technology areas. Projects are subject to restrictions for the protection of European communication networks. Projects using satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation, and/or related timing data and services must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS.

Financial and operational capacity and exclusion criteria are described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes. Award criteria, scoring, and thresholds are detailed in Annex D, while submission and evaluation processes are in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual. The indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement is described in Annex F.

The granting authority may object to a transfer of ownership or exclusive licensing of results for up to 4 years after the action's end, as per Annex 5. Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum, as defined in the Decision of July 7, 2021, authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme.

Application form templates specific to this call are available in the Submission System, including standard application forms for HE RIA, IA, CSA, RI, PCP, PPI, COFUND, FPA, MSCA PF/DN/SE/COFUND, ERC STG/COG/ADG/POC/SYG, and EIC PATHFINDER CHALLENGES/OPEN/TRANSITION/STEP, as well as EIC Accelerator proposals.

Evaluation form templates will be used with necessary adaptations, including standard evaluation forms for HE RIA/IA, CSA, PCP/PPI, COFUND, FPA, MSCA, and EIC PATHFINDER/TRANSITION/Accelerator proposals.

Guidance documents include the HE Programme Guide, Model Grant Agreements (MGA), call-specific instructions, detailed budget tables, information on financial support to third parties and clinical studies, and guidance on lump sums.

Additional documents include the HE Main Work Programme 2025 and 2023-2025, EIC Work Programme 2025, ERC Work Programme 2026, HE Programme Guide, HE Framework Programme 2021/695, HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764, EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509, the Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions, Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment, EU Grants AGA, and the Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual, Terms and Conditions, and Privacy Statement.

The budget overview for 2027 includes various topics under the Civil Security for Society call, with opening dates on May 5, 2027, and deadlines on November 4, 2027. Indicative contributions and the number of grants vary by topic, ranging from HORIZON-RIA (Research and Innovation Actions) to HORIZON-IA (Innovation Actions), HORIZON-CSA (Coordination and Support Actions), and HORIZON-PCP (Pre-commercial Procurement).

Partner search announcements are available, and the submission system is planned to open on the date stated on the topic header.

This funding opportunity aims to enhance community policing in Europe by addressing the challenges posed by increasingly diverse societies. It seeks to develop innovative tools, skills, and training programs for police authorities, fostering trust and cooperation between law enforcement and the communities they serve. The program emphasizes the importance of social sciences, technological development, and the active involvement of police authorities and civil society organizations in creating more inclusive and effective policing practices across Europe.

Eligible Applicant Types: Police Authorities, Civil Society Organisations (or Non-Governmental Organisations), entities established in eligible countries, research institutions, and SSH experts. Specifically, the call requires the active involvement, as beneficiaries, of at least 3 Police Authorities and at least 2 Civil Society Organisations (or Non-Governmental Organisations).

Funding Type: Grant. The eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum contribution under the Horizon Europe Programme. The actions are HORIZON Innovation Actions, HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions, HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions, and HORIZON Pre-commercial Procurement.

Consortium Requirement: Consortium. The call requires the active involvement, as beneficiaries, of at least 3 Police Authorities and at least 2 Civil Society Organisations (or Non-Governmental Organisations) from at least 3 different EU Member States or Associated Countries.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): EU Member States, Associated Countries, and non-EU/non-Associated Countries that have made specific provisions for funding their participants in Horizon Europe projects. Entities established in an eligible country but directly or indirectly controlled by China or by a legal entity established in China are not eligible.

Target Sector: Civil Security for Society, focusing on community policing, diversity, social sciences, and technological development. The specific areas include police education, training, management, crime prevention, hate crime reduction, and fostering trust between police and diverse communities.

Mentioned Countries: Ukraine, China, EU Member States, Associated Countries, and non-EU/non-Associated Countries.

Project Stage: Research, development, training, validation, and upscaling. The call aims to identify, develop, and disseminate tools, skills, and methodologies, as well as to develop training curricula.

Funding Amount: Variable. The budget overview lists multiple topics with budgets ranging from EUR 2,000,000 to EUR 14,000,000. The indicative number of grants per topic ranges from 1 to 4.

Application Type: Single-stage open call.

Nature of Support: Money. Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum.

Application Stages: Single-stage.

Success Rates: Not specified in the provided text.

Co-funding Requirement: Not specified in the provided text.

Summary:

This Horizon Europe call, under the Civil Security for Society destination, focuses on improving community policing in diverse societies across Europe. It seeks to address challenges related to the integration of various communities, including returnees from conflict zones, migrants, and marginalized groups. The call encourages proposals that explore innovative approaches in police education, training, and management, emphasizing diversity awareness, gender sensitivity, and cooperation with Civil Society Organizations. Projects should aim to develop new tools, skills, and methodologies for Police Authorities, enhance reporting mechanisms, reduce hate crimes, and strengthen trust between the police and the population. The call requires a consortium of at least 3 Police Authorities and 2 Civil Society Organisations from at least 3 different EU Member States or Associated Countries. Funding is provided as a lump sum grant, with various topics offering budgets ranging from EUR 2,000,000 to EUR 14,000,000. The application process is a single-stage open call, with a planned opening date of May 5, 2027, and a deadline of November 4, 2027. The call aims to enhance security and social stability in Europe by improving police-citizen relations and equipping Police Authorities with the necessary tools and skills to effectively serve diverse communities.