This high-level seminar brought together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to exchange insights on how EU-funded research can better support evidence-based policy and operational decision-making in the field of security and resilience.

Every year, the European Research Executive Agency (REA) and the Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs (DG HOME) organize the Projects to Policy Seminar. This in-person, by-invitation-only event gathers the key representatives of the newly launched projects and it is structured into thematic breakout sessions, preceded by a plenary session with several presentations of general interest. The aim of the event is to raise awareness among the relevant policy Directorates-General on the newly launched projects and provide guidance to the new projects regarding policy-related outputs the Directorates-General are interested in.

The 2026 edition

The seminar was opened with a welcome and presentation of the agenda in Ballrooms 1 & 2, setting the stage for a productive two days of networking, knowledge exchange, and synergy creation between projects and EU policy.

Day one, the participants met in groups split into four thematic areas for more targeted and insightful discussions:

• Fighting Crime & Terrorism (13 projects)
• Resilient Infrastructure (4 projects)
• Disaster Resilient Societies (11 projects)
• Border Management (8 projects)

The event featured various informative sessions and panel discussions, covering several topics, including but not limited to:

• Policy Roundtables
• Dissemination, Communication & Exploitation in Security Research and feedback to policy
• Innovation & Research Activities of EU Agencies and of the Joint Research Centre
• Exploitation of projects and innovation uptake

CROSSMARE participated at breakout session by thematic area Border Management (8 projects) – AUtoBorder, CROSSMARE, CustomAI, MARCONNECT, OnMoveID, ORION, PACK and ORBIS.

Representing CROSSMARE, Project Coordinator Lazaros Karagiannidis had the opportunity to present the ongoing work, highlighting its contribution to advancing maritime risk understanding, improving preparedness, and strengthening cross-border collaboration in complex maritime environments.

The discussions also emphasized the importance of translating research outcomes into actionable policy tools and operational capabilities.

Day two shifted focus toward cross-thematic collaboration, with breakout sessions across thematic areas. CROSSMARE joined Group 1, engaging in cross-cutting discussions alongside projects like AutoBorder, CROSSMARE, DARE, ARTEMis, ForMAT, AMALTEIA, BEHOLDER, ECHO and ORBIS.

The presentations generated significant interest among the participants, leading to several follow-up discussions during the networking coffee breaks.

The seminar was a great success. It concluded with a session in Ballrooms 1 & 2 where DG HOME area coordinators shared the key take-aways from the breakout sessions, fostering a very direct and honest contact between the project consortia and the European Commission.

The key takeaways from the discussions held during the event include a strong consensus on the need to include practitioners and end-users at all stages of development, ensuring the technology aligns with day-to-day operational realities. Furthermore, participants emphasized focusing on exploitation early on in the project lifecycle to guarantee that solutions can be smoothly adopted by the market and policy frameworks later on. The discussions also highlighted the vital importance of developing trustworthy, explainable AI systems that keep humans in the loop, alongside creating interoperable architectures that can securely bridge data sharing across different national customs authorities.

We value the engagement with fellow projects and stakeholders within the CERIS Community and look forward to continuing collaboration that bridges the gap between research and policy impact.

📍 Location: Brussels
📅 Dates: 10–11 June

The event will bring together 36 HorizonEurope projects to strengthen the link between research and policy in civil security.
CROSSMARE Project is proud to contribute to this important exchange and collaboration.

Eviden had the opportunity to present the CROSSMARE Project at the BSDA2026 exhibition in Bucharest, Romania | May 13-15, 2026.

The event provided a valuable opportunity to showcase CROSSMARE vision and innovative approach to strengthening maritime situational awareness, operational collaboration, and next-generation defence technologies.

Throughout the exhibition, our Eviden engaged with industry leaders, defence stakeholders, research organizations, and technology experts, exchanging insights and exploring future collaboration opportunities within the European security and maritime ecosystem.

A big thank you to everyone who visited our booth and contributed to the inspiring discussions during the event. We look forward to continuing our mission of driving innovation and resilience in maritime defence and security.

A key moment of our meeting in Cádiz was the workshop delivered by Colonel Luis Martín Velasco from the Guardia Civil, who shared valuable operational and end-user perspectives with the CROSSMARE consortium.

Focusing on real operational needs, he highlighted what they need as end users and the importance of:
➡️ Simplicity
➡️ Ergonomics
➡️ Intuitive use
➡️ Agility
➡️ Development
➡️ Dialogue
➡️ Trust
➡️ AI connection to SIVE

These insights are essential in ensuring that CROSSMARE technologies are developed with the end-user at the center and aligned with real operational environments.

🤝 We sincerely thank Colonel Luis Martín Velasco and the GuardiaCivil for their valuable time, expertise, openness, and the exceptional knowledge shared with the consortium throughout the workshop and visits.

👉 The meeting also included an insightful visit to the GuardiaCivil operational and training facilities, providing valuable understanding of operational environments and end-user perspectives ahead of the final demonstration activities.
🤝 A sincere thank you to the GuardiaCivil for their exceptional hospitality, openness, and willingness to host the CROSSMARE Project consortium. Their support and engagement made this experience especially valuable for all partners.

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7458494895662473216

📍 Day 2 of the CROSSMARE Project 1st Plenary Meeting – Cádiz, Spain

Day 2 moved us from discussions to real-world context, bringing the CROSSMARE Project consortium closer to operational environments and end-user perspectives.

A key highlight of the day was our visit to the premises of the Guardia Civil where partners had the opportunity to gain first-hand insights into operational needs and challenges.
This was followed by an engaging workshop led by the Guardia Civil fostering valuable dialogue between technology providers and end-users.

☝️We also visited the coastal field site where the final demonstration will take place, giving partners a clear view of the environment in which CROSSMARE solutions will be tested and validated.

🎥 Watch the video for highlights from Day 2, featuring moments from the workshop, site visits, and partner interactions.

📍Day 1 of the CROSSMARE Project 1st Plenary Meeting – Cádiz, Spain

A dynamic start to our 1st Plenary Meeting, hosted by our partner Guardia Civil in Cádiz, bringing the CROSSMARE consortium together to review progress, exchange knowledge, and align on the next steps ahead.

🎥 Take a look at our Day 1 highlights video, featuring collaborative moments that shaped a productive first day.

💡 From technical updates to engaging discussions, the strong participation and teamwork set the tone for the days ahead.

Looking forward to building on this momentum! 🚀

💡 Day 1 highlights:
• Project progress overview and key milestones achieved
• Work Package presentations on ongoing developments
• Technical discussions on integration, interoperability, and system alignment
• Constructive exchanges to ensure a coordinated path ahead

🤝 The energy and engagement from all partners set a strong tone for the meeting, reinforcing the collaborative spirit at the heart of CROSSMARE.

🌊The future of maritime security is being shaped today, and CROSSMARE is right at the heart of it.

We’re thrilled to announce our participation in the Research and Innovation Symposium for European Security and Defense (RISE-SD) Conference 2026, taking place on April 15–16, 2026 in Varna, Bulgaria.

🚢 From advancing maritime surveillance to strengthening cross-border operational cooperation, CROSSMARE is working towards a safer, smarter, and more connected maritime ecosystem across Europe.

📍 Join us at our booth and experience innovation in action!
✨ What’s in store:
• 🔧 Live insights into our cutting-edge tools & technologies
• 💬 Meaningful discussions with our team on real-world applications and impact
• 🎤 A dedicated presentation showcasing our latest achievements

🌍 Whether you’re a researcher, policymaker, or industry professional, this is your opportunity to connect, exchange ideas, and explore new possibilities.

🔥 Because the future of maritime operations isn’t just something we talk about — it’s something we build together.

👉 Come meet us at RISE-SD and be part of the journey!

Learn more> https://rise-sd.org/

We are pleased to share that Guardia Civil (GUCI), partner of CROSSMARE participated and presented the project during the SICUR 2026 International Security Exhibition, held from 24 to 27 February 2026 at IFEMA, Madrid.

During the event, the Guardia Civil (GUCI) hosted an institutional stand to showcase CROSSMARE through multiple initiatives:

✅ Presentation of videos highlighting EU-funded projects, including CROSSMARE

✅ Distribution of project dissemination materials

✅ Direct engagement with visitors, providing in-depth explanations about CROSSMARE by the Innovation and Technology Service of the Guardia Civil

Additionally, Guardia Civil (GUCI) team participated in the “Introduction to the 2026 Cluster 3 Call and pitching” session, conducting bilateral meetings with companies and stakeholders from the security sector, to strengthen the visibility of CROSSMARE within the Horizon Europe Cluster 3 community.

On 4–5 November 2025, the consortium gathered in Athens, Greece, for a two-day Kick-off Meeting hosted by the project coordinator, ICCS.

Funded by the European Research Executive Agency (REA) under the Horizon Europe Programme (Grant Agreement No. 101225981 – HORIZON-CL3-2024-BM-01), CROSSMARE aims to enhance maritime surveillance and border security through an interoperable multi-domain framework connecting space, air, surface, and underwater systems, powered by AI and advanced data fusion.

🤝 The project brings together a strong consortium of 17 partners from 7 countries:
Greece: ICCS, CERTH, DBC
Spain: AIRBUS, ATOS, GMV, GUARDIA CIVIL (GUCI)
Italy: ENGINEERING, MDM TEAM
Romania: EVIDEN, TEMERON, GARDA DE COASTA
Lithuania: BPTI, SBGS-LT
Finland: ICEYE
Switzerland: CSEM, SwissDrones

Together, we’ll work over the next 36 months (Oct 2025 – Sep 2028) to advance Europe’s maritime safety, interoperability, and technological innovation.

Newsletter #1 | Project Launch Edition

Welcome to CROSSMARE

We are pleased to announce the launch of CROSSMARE (Advanced Cross-Border and Multi-Domain Interoperability Framework for Improved Collaborative Operational Efficiency for Secure Maritime Borders), an ambitious Horizon Europe Innovation Action funded by the European Union.

CROSSMARE aims to enhance maritime surveillance and border security by developing a next-generation, interoperable monitoring framework that integrates multiple domains, space, air, surface, and underwater, into a unified operational picture.

The project brings together 17 partners from across Europe, including industry leaders, research organisations, SMEs, and end-users, working collaboratively to address critical maritime security challenges such as:

• Irregular migration
• Illicit activities at sea
• Environmental threats and pollution
• Protection of critical maritime infrastructure

CROSSMARE runs from October 2025 to September 2028, with the goal of significantly improving cross-border cooperation and operational efficiency for maritime authorities.

What is CROSSMARE About?

CROSSMARE is a cutting-edge European research and innovation project that addresses one of the most critical challenges for Europe today: achieving effective, coordinated, and intelligent maritime surveillance across borders and domains.

Modern maritime security operations are increasingly complex, requiring authorities to monitor vast areas while responding to diverse and evolving threats. Existing systems often operate in silos, limiting the ability to share information and act collaboratively.

Kick-off Meeting

The CROSSMARE project officially started with a successful Kick-off Meeting, bringing together all consortium partners to align on objectives, structure, and next steps.

During the meeting, partners:

• Presented their roles and expertise
• Discussed the technical vision and work plan
• Established collaboration mechanisms and governance structure
• Defined the roadmap for the first phase of the project

This important milestone marked the beginning of a strong collaboration toward achieving CROSSMARE’s ambitious goals.

👉 Read more about the Kick-off Meeting HERE: