Improving capabilities of law enforcement to counter climate-related challenges

The Horizon Europe call titled "HORIZON-CL3:Improving Capabilities of Law Enforcement to Counter Climate-Related Challenges" seeks to enhance the ability of European police authorities to tackle emerging security threats linked to climate change. This initiative recognizes that climate change acts as a security multiplier, creating new opportunities for organized crime and necessitating innovation within law enforcement frameworks.

Eligible applicants include public authorities, particularly Police Authorities from at least two different EU Member States or Associated Countries, as well as civil security services, Border Guards, Customs Authorities, research institutions, and technology providers. The call specifically requires the mandatory participation of at least two Police Authorities from different jurisdictions as active beneficiaries.

The funding type is structured as grants under Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), with a lump sum contribution model intended to streamline financial processes. Approximately €8 million is allocated for the call, with an expected contribution of about €4 million for each of the two anticipated projects. The single-stage application process opens on May 6, 2026, with a submission deadline on November 5, 2026.

The call focuses on the civil security sector, particularly in combating crimes exacerbated by climate change, such as environmental crimes, human trafficking related to climate-induced migration, and organized crime exploiting scarcity. Proposals are expected to develop new technologies, investigative frameworks, and policy insights to guide law enforcement in addressing these challenges.

In terms of geographic eligibility, the opportunity encompasses all EU Member States and Associated Countries, with provisions for participation from non-EU countries under certain conditions. While there is no mandatory co-funding requirement, projects are encouraged to define sustainable pathways for implementing successful innovations beyond their tenure.

The success rate for proposals is not explicitly stated, but competes within a typically highly selective funding landscape, with success likely depending on the quality of proposals and consortium collaboration.

Overall, this call aims to strengthen European civil security by enhancing the operational capabilities of law enforcement agencies to confront climate-related crimes, thereby ensuring public safety in a rapidly evolving global landscape influenced by climate change. The initiative also encourages integration of social sciences and humanities perspectives to holistically approach the societal implications of policing in the face of these evolving challenges.

This is a Horizon Europe (HORIZON) call under the Civil Security for Society 2026 program (HORIZON-CL3-2026-01) for Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) using a lump sum grant (HORIZON-AG-LS). The call, titled "Improving capabilities of law enforcement to counter climate-related challenges," aims to equip European Police Authorities with specialized skills and technologies to combat illegal activities related to climate change and emerging criminal patterns. It also seeks to improve policymakers' understanding of climate change's effects on law enforcement and enhance knowledge of climate change's impacts on social dynamics, moving beyond traditional perspectives on crime and terrorism.

The planned opening date is 06 May 2026, and the deadline for submission is 05 November 2026 at 17:00:00 Brussels time.

The scope of the call addresses the megatrend of global climate change and its effects on European societies and law enforcement. It recognizes that climate change creates new opportunities for organized crime, including scarcity markets, human trafficking, wildlife trafficking, and financial crimes like greenwashing. The call emphasizes the need for new approaches to address crimes associated with climate change, including environmental crimes, exploitation of climate change-related disasters, and social tensions.

The call encourages the active involvement of security practitioners such as civil security services, Border Guard, or Customs Authorities, in addition to the mandatory participation of Police Authorities. It also emphasizes the importance of addressing technological and societal angles in a balanced way. Successful proposals are expected to coordinate with the Europol Innovation Lab and, for training-related aspects, with CEPOL (if CEPOL does not apply for funding). Proposals should also address considerations in the Introduction of the Fighting Crime and Terrorism Destination.

The call requires the effective contribution of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) disciplines and the involvement of SSH experts and institutions. Research should consider gender-specific dimensions of vulnerabilities and needs when relevant.

Expected outcomes include:

European Police Authorities equipped with specialized skills and technologies to counter climate change-related illegal activities.

Improved understanding by policymakers of climate change's effects on law enforcement for effective policy development.

Enhanced knowledge of climate change's impacts on social dynamics and public order demands.

The following additional eligibility criteria apply:

The active involvement, as beneficiaries, of at least 2 Police Authorities from at least 2 different EU Member States or Associated Countries is required. Applicants must provide information about security practitioners in the application form.

If projects use satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation and/or related timing data and services, beneficiaries must make use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS.

General conditions include:

Admissibility Conditions:Proposal page limit 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:as described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes, with specific provisions for non-EU/non-Associated Countries.

Financial and operational capacity and exclusion:as described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Evaluation and award:Award criteria, scoring and thresholds as described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes. Submission and evaluation processes as described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual. Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement as described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Legal and financial set-up of the grants: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. Eligible costs will be in the form of a lump sum.

Application and evaluation forms and model grant agreement (MGA):

Application form templates are available in the Submission System, including standard forms for HE RIA, IA, CSA, RI, PCP, PPI, COFUND, FPA, MSCA PF, MSCA DN, MSCA SE, MSCA COFUND, MSCA COFUND CE, ERC STG, ERC COG, ERC ADG, ERC POC, ERC SYG, EIC PATHFINDER CHALLENGES, EIC PATHFINDER OPEN, EIC TRANSITION, EIC STEP, EIC Accelerator stage 2 - full proposal and EIC Accelerator stage 1 - short proposal.

Evaluation form templates will be used with necessary adaptations, including standard evaluation forms for HE RIA, IA, CSA, RIA, IA and CSA Stage 1, PCP PPI, COFUND, FPA, MSCA, EIC PATHFINDER CHALLENGES, EIC PATHFINDER OPEN, EIC TRANSITION, EIC Accelerator stage 1 - short proposal and EIC Accelerator stage 2 - full proposal.

Guidance documents include the HE Programme Guide, Model Grant Agreements (HE MGA, HE Unit MGA, Lump Sum MGA, Operating Grants MGA, Framework Partnership Agreement FPA), and call-specific instructions.

Additional documents include:

HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 (General Introduction, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, Research Infrastructures, Health, Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society, Civil Security for Society, Digital, Industry and Space, Climate, Energy and Mobility, Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment, European Innovation Ecosystems, Widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area, Missions, New European Bauhaus Facility, Horizontal Activities, General Annexes).

EIC Work Programme 2026.

ERC Work Programme 2026.

HE Programme Guide.

HE Framework Programme 2021/695.

HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764.

EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509.

Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme.

Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment.

EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement.

Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual.

Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions.

Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement.

The budget overview details the funding available for various topics under the Civil Security for Society 2026 call, including HORIZON-CL3, which has a budget of €8,000,000 and aims to award around 2 grants.

This Horizon Europe call focuses on improving law enforcement's ability to tackle climate-related challenges. It acknowledges that climate change is not just an environmental issue but also a significant driver of new and evolving criminal activities. The call seeks research and innovation projects that can equip police authorities with the necessary skills, technologies, and knowledge to address these emerging threats effectively. By fostering collaboration between law enforcement, security practitioners, and experts from social sciences and humanities, the call aims to develop comprehensive strategies and policies to safeguard European societies in the face of climate change-induced crime. The emphasis on involving the Europol Innovation Lab and CEPOL highlights the importance of translating research findings into practical tools and training programs for law enforcement agencies. The lump sum funding model encourages efficient project management and a focus on achieving concrete results.

Eligible Applicant Types:The eligible applicant types include Police Authorities, civil security services, Border Guard, Customs Authorities, research institutions, Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) experts and institutions. The mandatory participation of at least 2 Police Authorities from 2 different EU Member States or Associated Countries is required. Active involvement of other security practitioners is encouraged.

Funding Type:The funding type is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-RIA) with a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant (HORIZON-AG-LS) mechanism. There are also other types of actions available under the call Civil Security for Society 2026 (HORIZON-CL3-2026-01) such as HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA), HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (HORIZON-CSA), HORIZON Pre-commercial Procurement (HORIZON-PCP), HORIZON Public Procurement of Innovative Solutions (HORIZON-PPI).

Consortium Requirement:A consortium of multiple applicants is required, with mandatory participation of at least 2 Police Authorities from different EU Member States or Associated Countries.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):The geographic eligibility includes EU Member States and Associated Countries. Non-EU/non-Associated Countries may also be eligible if they have made specific provisions for funding participants in Horizon Europe projects.

Target Sector:The program targets the civil security sector, specifically focusing on fighting crime and terrorism in the context of climate change. It also involves social sciences and humanities (SSH) disciplines. The specific sectors mentioned include law enforcement, environmental crime, wildlife trafficking, fraud, financial crimes, disaster management, and social order.

Mentioned Countries:Germany is explicitly mentioned in reference to its National Interdisciplinary Climate Risk Assessment. The eligibility extends to EU Member States and Associated Countries.

Project Stage:The project stage is research and innovation actions, implying a focus on development, validation, and demonstration of new approaches and technologies.

Funding Amount:The funding amount for the topic HORIZON-CL3 is €8,000,000, with an indicative contribution of around €4,000,000 per grant and an indicative number of 2 grants. Other topics under the call Civil Security for Society 2026 (HORIZON-CL3-2026-01) have different budget amounts.

Application Type:The application type is a single-stage call.

Nature of Support:Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a lump sum grant.

Application Stages:The application process is a single-stage process.

Success Rates:The success rates cannot be determined from the provided text.

Co-funding Requirement:The text does not explicitly state whether co-funding is required.

Summary:This Horizon Europe call, specifically topic HORIZON-CL3, aims to improve the capabilities of law enforcement to counter climate-related challenges. It recognizes that climate change creates new opportunities for organized crime and exacerbates existing security threats. The call seeks proposals for research and innovation actions that will equip European Police Authorities with specialized skills, technologies, and knowledge to address these emerging criminal patterns. Projects should enhance the understanding of policymakers regarding the impact of climate change on law enforcement and contribute to the development of effective European policies. The call encourages consortia with active involvement of Police Authorities and other security practitioners, as well as experts from social sciences and humanities. The funding is provided as a lump sum grant, and the application process is a single-stage submission. The geographic scope includes EU Member States and Associated Countries, with potential eligibility for non-EU countries under specific conditions. The overall goal is to strengthen civil security in the face of climate change by improving law enforcement's ability to tackle climate-related crimes and maintain public order.