Deadline: 05-Nov-2026
The European Commission under Horizon Europe is funding €4,000,000 for research addressing security, safety, and resilience risks linked to green transition technologies in urban and peri-urban environments. The call focuses on identifying risks, improving detection tools, strengthening infrastructure resilience, and supporting safe deployment of emerging green technologies.
Projects should analyze physical, cyber, environmental, and supply chain risks associated with technologies such as renewable energy systems, smart infrastructure, and sustainable transport, while also improving societal acceptance and preparedness for these changes.
Overview of the Programme
This Horizon Europe funding call supports research and innovation aimed at ensuring that the green transition in cities is:
- Safe
- Secure
- Resilient
- Sustainable
- Socially accepted
It focuses on understanding and managing risks arising from the rapid deployment of green technologies in:
- Urban areas
- Peri-urban environments
The total funding available is:
- €4,000,000
Key Objectives
The programme aims to:
- Identify new security risks linked to green technologies
- Develop tools to measure safety and resilience impacts
- Improve risk detection and mitigation systems
- Strengthen public trust and awareness
- Enhance preparedness and response capabilities
- Support secure integration of emerging technologies
Priority Research Themes
1. Emerging Security Risks in Green Technologies
Projects should analyze risks related to:
2. Monitoring and Detection Tools
Development of tools to:
- Track environmental and safety impacts
- Detect infrastructure vulnerabilities
- Measure resilience changes during the green transition
3. Risk Mitigation and Verification
Research should focus on:
- Testing safety measures
- Validating risk reduction strategies
- Assessing failure scenarios in green systems
4. Critical Infrastructure and Supply Chains
Key areas include:
- Supply chain resilience for green technologies
- Resource dependency risks
- Strategic autonomy in Europe
- Infrastructure interdependencies
5. Societal Awareness and Acceptance
Projects should address:
- Public perception of green technologies
- Trust in new infrastructure systems
- Inclusive communication strategies
- Socio-economic differences in impact
Green Transition Technologies in Scope
The call covers technologies used in urban sustainability, including:
- Green roofs and vertical walls
- Solar energy systems
- Electric vehicle charging networks
- Energy storage systems
- Smart sensors and monitoring systems
- Surveillance technologies
- Sustainable transport systems
- Green construction materials
Key Risks Identified
The transition introduces multiple risk categories:
Physical Risks
- Battery fires
- Electric shocks
- Structural failures
- Toxic leaks
Environmental Risks
- Toxic waste management issues
- Land use disruptions
- Ecosystem impacts
Cyber and Digital Risks
- Data breaches
- Software manipulation
- Unauthorized system access
- Hybrid cyber-physical threats
Systemic Risks
- Dependency on digital infrastructure
- Interoperability failures between old and new systems
- Supply chain vulnerabilities
Expected Research Outcomes
Projects should deliver:
- Risk assessment frameworks
- Early warning and detection tools
- Resilience evaluation methodologies
- Safety guidelines for green technologies
- Policy recommendations for urban deployment
- Strategies for secure infrastructure integration
Cross-Cutting Requirements
Proposals should also include:
- Interdisciplinary research approaches
- Risk-informed planning models
- Integration of nature-based solutions
- Biodiversity-aligned sustainability strategies
- Inclusive design considering age, gender, and socio-economic factors
Why This Call Matters
The green transition is essential for climate goals, but it introduces new complexity in urban systems. This programme addresses the need to ensure that sustainability does not compromise:
- Public safety
- Cybersecurity
- Infrastructure resilience
- Environmental protection
- Social trust
It supports Europe’s goal of:
- Secure digital and green transformation
- Resilient urban infrastructure systems
- Sustainable and safe technological deployment
Conclusion
This Horizon Europe funding call supports research that ensures the green transition in urban and peri-urban areas is not only sustainable but also secure and resilient. By addressing emerging risks in infrastructure, cybersecurity, environment, and supply chains, the programme aims to help cities safely integrate green technologies while strengthening long-term urban resilience and public trust.
For more information, visit EC.
