Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SEREN5 (SEcurity REsearch NCPs network 5)
Reporting period: 2022-09-01 to 2024-02-29
The main aim of SEREN5 is to improve and professionalise the skills of the Cluster 3 (CL3) National Contact Points (NCPs) across Europe, simplifying applicants’ access to Horizon Europe (HE) calls and raising the average quality of submitted proposals.
Starting from the assumption that the NCP role is crucial in order to raise the participation in HE in terms of both quality and quantity, SEREN5 overall concept is that the CL3 NCP community requires knowledge, skills, competences and a proven comprehensive suite of tools to convey a message in a multicultural and multi-disciplinary environment such the one that characterises Cluster 3 and to effectively support its broad based constituency. Therefore, the project is based on three pillars: (i) NCPs capacity building and competence development, (ii) development of targeted and high quality services (events and tools) for CL3 applicants and stakeholders , (iii) CL3 community building and general mainstreaming of CL3 NCPs in Horizon Europe.
Starting from the assumption that the NCP role is crucial in order to raise the participation in HE in terms of both quality and quantity, SEREN5 overall concept is that the CL3 NCP community requires knowledge, skills, competences and a proven comprehensive suite of tools to convey a message in a multicultural and multi-disciplinary environment such the one that characterises Cluster 3 and to effectively support its broad based constituency. Therefore, the project is based on three pillars: (i) NCPs capacity building and competence development, (ii) development of targeted and high quality services (events and tools) for CL3 applicants and stakeholders , (iii) CL3 community building and general mainstreaming of CL3 NCPs in Horizon Europe.
Under WP1 the consortium has been reunited several times, to allow a proper cooperation of beneficiaries and coordination of the project’s activities. Furthermore, the coordinator submitted a deliverable concerning quality assurance procedure that all partners should follow while delivering the reports for which they are directly responsible. In parallel, the WP leader elaborated the reimbursement conditions for allowing Cluster 3 National Contact Points from associated partners to join SEREN5 events and services (e.g. trainings, fora). According to the DoA, an interim report should have been delivered at M9 to evaluate the activities and expenditures trends and this has been done without unforeseen issues.
Under WP2 two on site trainings and 1 online and 1 Forum have been organised in conjunction with other SEREN5 activities for NCPs. Furthermore, a digital guide for newcomer NCPs has been produced. In the field of WP3, SEREN5 has organized on behalf of DG HOME and REA, the Horizon Europe Cluster 3 Info Day and Brokerage event on 27-28 June 2023 in Brussels with more than 1.000 attending (both on line and on site). Furthermore, the project organized the first SEREN5 training for stakeholders on how to prepare a proposal in Cluster 3. Under WP3, SeReMa Database has been launched and the first 18 months of the project, it reached 500 profiles. Finally, SEREN5 launched the service "Pre-Idea Check" aimed to support applicants from the very early stage of the proposal preparation.
Under WP4, following and improving the structured relations the SEREN Network has since the first edition of the project, the collaboration with several NCPs networks has been improved and consolidated together with the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN). With reference to practitioners, SEREN5 has organized the first workshop for them in an online version; on the other hand, the collaboration with security key players (e.g. EARTO, EOS) is constantly increasing, thanks also to the SMI2G event that is organized by several of these actors in close cooperation.Cooperation has been structured also with CERIS. In the context of WP5, the project identified a list of new potential organizations interested in Cluster 3 funding, also identifying their barriers and needs in relation to the Cluster 3 participation. Furthermore an on line pith training session and a pitch session presentation have been organized in the first 18 months of the project.
Under WP6 visual identity, strategy of the D&C, website was created, 4 eNewsletter editions have been published and 3 fact-sheets of successful CL3 projects were published on SEREN5 web page and in SEREN5 newsletters in 18 months period. The promotional kit has been very successfully adopted during SEREN 5 first period activities and events.
Finally, the objectives of WP7 have been met and deliverables submitted. In task 7.1 the framework for the impact assessment of security R&I was developed, risks and obstacles identified, data collected, and the impact evaluation performed on selected projects. The outcome is a preliminary recommendation for improving the HE Security program impact. In task 7.2 the work was centered around designing a methodology to collect and provide policy feedback covering aspects of programme planning, design and evaluation related to the Work Programme and calls. Feedback was gathered mainly via questionnaires, workshops and in meetings, such as NCP network meetings.
Under WP2 two on site trainings and 1 online and 1 Forum have been organised in conjunction with other SEREN5 activities for NCPs. Furthermore, a digital guide for newcomer NCPs has been produced. In the field of WP3, SEREN5 has organized on behalf of DG HOME and REA, the Horizon Europe Cluster 3 Info Day and Brokerage event on 27-28 June 2023 in Brussels with more than 1.000 attending (both on line and on site). Furthermore, the project organized the first SEREN5 training for stakeholders on how to prepare a proposal in Cluster 3. Under WP3, SeReMa Database has been launched and the first 18 months of the project, it reached 500 profiles. Finally, SEREN5 launched the service "Pre-Idea Check" aimed to support applicants from the very early stage of the proposal preparation.
Under WP4, following and improving the structured relations the SEREN Network has since the first edition of the project, the collaboration with several NCPs networks has been improved and consolidated together with the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN). With reference to practitioners, SEREN5 has organized the first workshop for them in an online version; on the other hand, the collaboration with security key players (e.g. EARTO, EOS) is constantly increasing, thanks also to the SMI2G event that is organized by several of these actors in close cooperation.Cooperation has been structured also with CERIS. In the context of WP5, the project identified a list of new potential organizations interested in Cluster 3 funding, also identifying their barriers and needs in relation to the Cluster 3 participation. Furthermore an on line pith training session and a pitch session presentation have been organized in the first 18 months of the project.
Under WP6 visual identity, strategy of the D&C, website was created, 4 eNewsletter editions have been published and 3 fact-sheets of successful CL3 projects were published on SEREN5 web page and in SEREN5 newsletters in 18 months period. The promotional kit has been very successfully adopted during SEREN 5 first period activities and events.
Finally, the objectives of WP7 have been met and deliverables submitted. In task 7.1 the framework for the impact assessment of security R&I was developed, risks and obstacles identified, data collected, and the impact evaluation performed on selected projects. The outcome is a preliminary recommendation for improving the HE Security program impact. In task 7.2 the work was centered around designing a methodology to collect and provide policy feedback covering aspects of programme planning, design and evaluation related to the Work Programme and calls. Feedback was gathered mainly via questionnaires, workshops and in meetings, such as NCP network meetings.
SEREN5 results beyond the state of the arts can be summarized as follows:
- In terms of enhanced NCPs skills and competences, SEREN5 is constantly committed to elevate the expertise and professionalization among CL3 NCPs across Europe and Associated Countries, going beyond the H2020 standards in terms of knowledge, skills, and proficiency in Horizon Europe's Cluster 3 thematic area.
- SEREN5 is also aimed to improve the services for applicants. With the aim of going beyond the state of the art, the project applied new services for potential applicants such as the Project Idea Check.
- SEREN5 also impacts on the creation of strong NCP Community in Cluster 3 field with its major efforts to foster cooperation, networking, and community building among CL3 NCPs with the final aim of enhancing knowledge-sharing, peer support, and collective problem-solving.
- Finally, SEREN5 developed novel tools and resources such as the SeReMa Database (Security Research Map) for supporting CL3 applicants, surpassing existing standards in terms of effectiveness, usability, and impact.
- In terms of enhanced NCPs skills and competences, SEREN5 is constantly committed to elevate the expertise and professionalization among CL3 NCPs across Europe and Associated Countries, going beyond the H2020 standards in terms of knowledge, skills, and proficiency in Horizon Europe's Cluster 3 thematic area.
- SEREN5 is also aimed to improve the services for applicants. With the aim of going beyond the state of the art, the project applied new services for potential applicants such as the Project Idea Check.
- SEREN5 also impacts on the creation of strong NCP Community in Cluster 3 field with its major efforts to foster cooperation, networking, and community building among CL3 NCPs with the final aim of enhancing knowledge-sharing, peer support, and collective problem-solving.
- Finally, SEREN5 developed novel tools and resources such as the SeReMa Database (Security Research Map) for supporting CL3 applicants, surpassing existing standards in terms of effectiveness, usability, and impact.