Open topic on citizen and regional and/or local authorities' engagement in enhanced disaster risk awareness, including education, and preparedness

This grant opportunity under Horizon Europe focuses on enhancing disaster preparedness and societal resilience through improved risk awareness and knowledge sharing among citizens, authorities, and scientific communities. It specifically falls under the Civil Security for Society call, designated HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-DRS-01, with funding provided through a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant model.

Eligible applicants include public and private entities from EU Member States and Associated Countries, specifically requiring consortia that involve at least two regional or local authorities, two organizations representing citizens or communities, and two disaster management authorities from a minimum of three different EU Member States or Associated Countries.

The target sector emphasizes civil security, focusing on disaster preparedness and risk reduction while also integrating AI technologies and social sciences. The project is expected to operate at the research and innovation action level, developing tools and solutions that enhance preparedness and awareness among citizens and authorities.

The total budget allocated for this topic is 12 million euros, with an indicative expectation of awarding three grants averaging around four million euros each. The application process is structured as a single-stage call, with submissions opening on June 12, 2025, and closing on November 12, 2025, at 17:00 Brussels time.

Projects will need to demonstrate feasibility, test validity, and outline strategies for upscale at national and EU levels. The call encourages new solutions addressing unforeseen challenges and stresses the importance of incorporating social sciences and humanities for societal impact. Successful applications will contribute to the EU’s Preparedness Union Strategy and enhance collaboration among various stakeholders, ensuring a comprehensive approach to disaster resilience.

Grants under this opportunity will not require co-funding, and funds will be provided as lump sums covering 100% of eligible costs. Applicants must provide clear indications of their consortium partners involved in the project, including their roles and contributions.

To meet the requirements, proposals should clearly articulate how they will improve disaster risk awareness and foster communication among researchers, practitioners, and authorities, contributing to innovative strategies for future resilience and preparedness.

This EU funding opportunity focuses on enhancing disaster preparedness and societal resilience through improved risk awareness and knowledge sharing among citizens, authorities, and scientific communities. It falls under the Horizon Europe Programme, specifically the Civil Security for Society call (HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-DRS-01). The action type is HORIZON-RIA (Research and Innovation Actions), utilizing a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS] Model Grant Agreement.

The call adopts a single-stage deadline model, with a planned opening date of 12 June 2025 and a deadline of 12 November 2025, 17:00:00 Brussels time.

The expected outcomes of the projects should contribute to one or both of the following:

Improved disaster preparedness through learning from past events, better knowledge sharing on lessons learned, and increased risk awareness among citizens and regional/local authorities. This includes understanding countermeasures taken in previous incidents and exploring available products to improve future outcomes.

Reinforced dialogue and cooperation among scientific/technical communities, stakeholders, policymakers, and regional/local communities in disaster risk reduction, leading to enhanced uptake of research outputs.

The scope of the projects should address the following:

Societal resilience and preparedness are significantly influenced by how authorities and citizens exchange, access, understand, and react to hazard information. Barriers to these processes can increase vulnerability.

Strengthening resilience requires investment at operational, strategic, and policy levels to improve citizen engagement and integrate inclusive communication. This must consider the diversity of citizens, including age, gender, education, disability, and other social characteristics.

The European Commission is developing an EU Preparedness Union Strategy, emphasizing whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches. The EU's disaster resilience goal No. 2 focuses on increasing risk awareness and preparedness. Project outcomes should support these policies and follow recommendations from DG ECHO for successful end-user uptake. Proposals are encouraged to use the Special Eurobarometer on disaster risk awareness as evidence of needs.

The call welcomes proposals addressing new or unforeseen challenges, creative solutions, and disruptive technologies, including AI, to improve disaster preparedness and risk awareness. If proposals relate to topics covered by previous Horizon Europe calls (Disaster-Resilient Society 2021-2022 or 2023-2024), they must convincingly explain how they build upon and avoid duplicating those efforts.

Proposals are expected to address one of the following options:

Option a: Develop tools and solutions to improve disaster preparedness and risk awareness among citizens and regional/local authorities.

Option b: Create mechanisms to enhance dialogue among research/academic communities, practitioners, and regional/local authorities for effective research result uptake.

Projects should plan and execute demonstrations, testing, or validation of developed tools and solutions, adapting to the project's nature and scope. Plans for future national and EU-level uptake and upscaling should be outlined. Projects should consider and build upon previous research, avoiding duplication. Coordination among successful projects is expected to maximize impact and avoid redundancy.

Funded projects must engage with citizen organizations, regional/local authorities, practitioners (first and second responders, civil protection agencies, disaster management authorities), and private sector operators throughout the project lifecycle, including validating outcomes to facilitate future innovation uptake.

The call emphasizes the effective contribution of SSH disciplines and the involvement of SSH experts and institutions to enhance the societal impact of research and innovation activities.

The admissibility conditions include adherence to proposal page limits and layout guidelines 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. Specific provisions exist for non-EU/non-Associated Countries, detailed in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

Other eligibility conditions include restrictions for the protection of European communication networks. Additionally, projects must actively involve, as beneficiaries, at least 2 Regional and/or Local Authorities, at least 2 citizen organizations or regional/local community representatives, and 2 First responders or disaster management authorities from at least 3 different EU Member States or Associated Countries. Applicants must provide information about these security practitioners in the application form.

Projects using satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation, and/or timing data 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.

To ensure a balanced portfolio, grants will be awarded to applications based on ranking and to at least one project that is the highest ranked within each of the two options (Option a and Option b), provided that all thresholds are met. Evaluation and award criteria, scoring, and thresholds are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Submission and evaluation processes are detailed in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual. The indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement is also described in Annex F.

Eligible costs will be in the form of a lump sum, as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021. This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal. Legal and financial aspects are described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes. Specific conditions are described in the specific topic of the Work Programme.

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

Application form templates are available in the Submission System.

The standard application form is HE RIA, IA.

Evaluation form templates will be used with necessary adaptations, with the standard evaluation form being HE RIA, IA.

Guidance is available in the HE Programme Guide.

Model Grant Agreements (MGA) include the Lump Sum MGA.

Call-specific instructions include a detailed budget table (HE LS) and guidance on lump sums.

An Information on Security Practitioners Template is also provided.

Additional documents include:

HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 1. General Introduction

HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 6. Civil Security for Society

HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 14. General Annexes

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 total budget for HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-DRS-01 is 12,000,000 EUR, with an indicative number of 3 grants to be awarded.

Partner search announcements can be viewed and edited by LEARs, Account Administrators, or self-registrants after logging into the portal.

The submission system is planned to open on the date stated in the topic header.

For support, applicants are encouraged to read all provisions carefully, consult the Online Manual and Horizon Europe Programme Guide, check the Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ, and contact the Research Enquiry Service, National Contact Points (NCPs), Enterprise Europe Network, IT Helpdesk, European IPR Helpdesk, and CEN-CENELEC/ETSI Research Helpdesks. The European Charter for Researchers and the Partner Search tool are also valuable resources.

In summary, this Horizon Europe call aims to bolster disaster resilience by fostering citizen engagement, improving risk awareness, and promoting collaboration among various stakeholders. It encourages innovative solutions and technologies, including AI, to address current and future challenges in disaster preparedness. Successful projects will contribute to the EU Preparedness Union Strategy and enhance the overall effectiveness of the Disaster Risk Reduction community. The funding is provided as a lump sum, and projects must involve a diverse consortium, including regional/local authorities, citizen organizations, and first responders from multiple EU Member States or Associated Countries.

The Horizon Europe Civil Security for Society call (HORIZON-CL3-2025-01) includes multiple topics with varying budgets and action types. All topics share a single-stage deadline of 2025-11-12, with a planned opening date of 2025-06-12.

HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-BM-01: Basic knowledge for enhanced border management - HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA) with a budget of 10,000,000 EUR and an indicative number of 3 grants.

HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-BM-02: Improved border checks capabilities - HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) with a budget of 9,000,000 EUR and an indicative number of 3 grants.

HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-BM-03: Enhanced detection capabilities for border surveillance - HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA) with a budget of 9,000,000 EUR and an indicative number of 3 grants.

HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-DRS-01: Open topic on citizen and regional and/or local authorities' engagement in enhanced disaster risk awareness, including education, and preparedness - HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) with a budget of 12,000,000 EUR and an indicative number of 3 grants.

HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-DRS-02: Improved understanding of complex disaster risk through systemic risk assessment - HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) with a budget of 10,500,000 EUR and an indicative number of 3 grants.

HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-DRS-03: Technological solutions for first responders - HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA) with a budget of 13,500,000 EUR and an indicative number of 3 grants.

HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-DRS-04: Standardisation in support of disaster risk management - HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA) with a budget of 5,000,000 EUR and an indicative number of 1 grant.

HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-FCT-01: Fighting corruption and financial crime - HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) with a budget of 18,000,000 EUR and an indicative number of 6 grants.

HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-FCT-02: Improved tools and capabilities for law enforcement to fight organised crime - HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) with a budget of 12,000,000 EUR and an indicative number of 4 grants.

HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-FCT-03: Enhanced capabilities to fight cybercrime - HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA) with a budget of 7,500,000 EUR and an indicative number of 2 grants.

HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-FCT-04: Preventing and fighting hybrid threats - HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA) with a budget of 6,000,000 EUR and an indicative number of 1 grant.

HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-INFRA-01: Upgrading and extending the EU CBRN infrastructure - HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA) with a budget of 15,000,000 EUR and an indicative number of 3 grants.

HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-INFRA-02: Strengthening the security research and innovation ecosystem - HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) with a budget of 7,000,000 EUR and an indicative number of 2 grants.

HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-SSRI-01: Strengthening the EU security research and innovation ecosystem - HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (HORIZON-CSA) with a budget of 3,000,000 EUR and an indicative number of 1 grant.

HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-SSRI-02: Supporting the uptake of security research and innovation results by practitioners - HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (HORIZON-CSA) with a budget of 5,000,000 EUR and an indicative number of 1 grant.

HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-SSRI-03: Promoting standardisation in security - HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (HORIZON-CSA) with a budget of 2,000,000 EUR and an indicative number of 2 grants.

HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-SSRI-04: Fostering the development and uptake of innovative security solutions by SMEs - HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA) with a budget of 3,000,000 EUR and an indicative number of 2 grants.

HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-SSRI-05: Supporting the development of skills and competences in security - HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA) with a budget of 3,000,000 EUR and an indicative number of 1 grant.

HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-SSRI-06: Developing innovative solutions for security through pre-commercial procurement - HORIZON Pre-commercial Procurement (HORIZON-PCP) with a budget of 5,500,000 EUR and an indicative number of 1 grant.

These topics cover a wide range of security-related challenges, from border management and disaster resilience to fighting corruption and enhancing cybersecurity. The actions types vary from research and innovation actions to innovation actions and coordination and support actions, reflecting the diverse needs of the security sector.

This funding opportunity is about improving disaster preparedness and societal resilience in the EU. It seeks projects that can enhance risk awareness among citizens and local authorities, promote knowledge sharing, and foster collaboration between researchers, practitioners, and policymakers. The EU is particularly interested in innovative solutions, including AI, that can address new and emerging challenges in disaster management. To be eligible, projects must involve local authorities, citizen organizations, and first responders from multiple EU countries. The goal is to create a more prepared and resilient society by learning from past events and working together to develop effective strategies for the future.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types include Regional and/or Local Authorities, organizations representing citizens or regional and/or local communities (Citizen Organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations representing citizens interests in the area of civil protection and/or associations of volunteers), and First responders or disaster management authorities. Private sector operators are also expected to be engaged during the lifetime of the project. SSH experts, institutions are also expected to contribute.

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) model grant agreement. Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum.

Consortium Requirement: A consortium is required. The call specifies the active involvement, as beneficiaries, of at least 2 Regional and/or Local Authorities, at least 2 organizations representing citizens or regional and/or local communities, and 2 First responders or disaster management authorities from at least 3 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 specific provisions for funding participants in Horizon Europe projects.

Target Sector: The target sector is civil security, specifically focusing on disaster preparedness, risk awareness, disaster risk reduction, and societal resilience. The program also targets the use of AI and SSH disciplines.

Mentioned Countries: The opportunity explicitly mentions EU Member States and Associated Countries as regions from which the consortium must include participants. It also mentions non-EU and non-associated countries that may be eligible for funding under specific provisions.

Project Stage: The project stage is expected to be at the research and innovation action level, requiring demonstration, testing, or validation of developed tools and solutions. The projects should also outline plans for future uptake and upscaling at the national and EU level.

Funding Amount: The budget for the HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-DRS-01 topic is EUR 12,000,000, with an indicative number of 3 grants to be awarded, suggesting an average funding of around EUR 4,000,000 per project.

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

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

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

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the information provided indicates the indicative number of grants to be awarded per topic, which can be used to estimate the potential success rate based on the expected number of applications.

Co-funding Requirement: Co-funding is not explicitly mentioned as a requirement. The eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum contribution.

This Horizon Europe call, HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-DRS-01, focuses on enhancing citizen and regional/local authority engagement in disaster risk awareness and preparedness. It falls under the Civil Security for Society program and aims to improve societal resilience by addressing how authorities and citizens exchange, access, understand, and react to hazard information. The call invites proposals for research and innovation actions that develop tools, solutions, and mechanisms to improve disaster preparedness and risk awareness, as well as enhance dialogue among research communities, practitioners, and authorities.

To be eligible, consortia must include at least two regional/local authorities, two citizen organizations, and two first responder or disaster management authorities from at least three different EU Member States or Associated Countries. The projects should demonstrate, test, or validate developed tools and solutions, and outline plans for future uptake and upscaling at the national and EU level. The funding is provided as a lump sum, and the call encourages coordination among successful proposals to avoid duplication and maximize impact. The call also emphasizes the importance of incorporating Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) expertise to enhance the societal impact of the research and innovation activities. The total budget for this specific topic is EUR 12,000,000, with an expected three projects to be funded. The call opens on June 12, 2025, and closes on November 12, 2025.