Open topic on better customs and supply chain security

Improved customs and supply chain security through enhanced prevention, detection, deterrence, anti-tampering and combat of illegal activities in goods flows across EU external borders and within supply chains; better interoperability and minimised disruption to trade flows; strengthened surveillance and reaction capabilities in border regions facing geopolitical or environmental challenges; rapid, flexible, relocatable threat detection; solutions with reduced environmental footprint, greater cost- and energy-efficiency and higher operational autonomy; and validated, practitioner-endorsed technologies and methods demonstrating tangible security impact.

Proposals must address new, upcoming or unforeseen challenges or deliver creative/disruptive solutions for practitioner capabilities in customs and supply chain security; consider contexts prone to geopolitical instabilities, external tensions or environmental impacts requiring sustained surveillance and reaction; build on and not duplicate Horizon Europe Effective Management of EU External Borders 2021-22 or 2023-24 Calls; develop flexible, rapid, relocatable detection of threats in goods flows and supply chains; target specified goods/materials or trafficking modi operandi; integrate safeguarding and promotion of human rights and include human rights, law and ethical inputs; engage citizens and civil society as appropriate; include cybersecurity aspects; propose lower environmental impact, better cost-/energy-efficiency and operational autonomy; involve police, border or coast guard authorities where relevant; plan a mid-term deliverable assessed by practitioners; integrate gender dimension analysis only if relevant; allocate 5–20% of the requested EU funding to financial support to third-party practitioners; and clearly describe objectives, expected results, methods and processes to comply with General Annex B eligibility for third-party support and demonstrate impact.