Open topic on secured and facilitated crossing of external borders

Improved border crossing experience for travellers and border authorities’ staff (customs, coast and border guards), while maintaining high levels of security and monitoring at EU external borders; enhanced support for the Schengen area; reduced illegal movements of people and goods; and protection of fundamental rights of all travellers (EU citizens and Third Country Nationals).

- Propose solutions addressing new, upcoming or unforeseen challenges in external border checks, especially under future geopolitical tensions- Investigate mechanisms for detecting threats in travel flows- Demonstrate non-duplication and clear build-on of prior Horizon Europe border security projects (2021-2024)- Develop capabilities for digitalised travel credentials (identification, verification, resource optimization)- Align with the EBCG Capability Roadmap: fully automated, swift legal crossings; detection of unauthorised crossings- Target one or more technologies: secure/private data approaches; fuzzy searches; data communication, translation and sharing; biometrics; age assessment; document fraud detection; automation, exchange and interoperability- Integrate human rights, legal and ethical perspectives, societal and gender-sensitive approaches; engage citizens and civil society- Address cybersecurity of technologies and networks- Where relevant, design for lower environmental footprint, cost-efficiency, energy efficiency, operational autonomy- Optionally involve Police and/or Customs Authorities- Plan a mid-term deliverable assessed by security practitioners