Externally funded research and development projects
Duration: 14.10.2022 – 13.10.2026
Contact: Indrek Saar
Funding: European Commission
Project summary:
The objectives of the project are to create a holistic research agenda on illicit trade practices, to increase public awareness with a view to enhancing societal resilience and to explore how technological innovation facilitates illicit trade, but can also be used to fight it.
Duration: 01.01.2023 – 31.08.2029
Contact: Jaanika Puusalu
Funding: European Commission / Ministry of the Interiors
Project summary:
The project aims to increase the competence of the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences in the study of radicalisation and terrorism and serious and organized undercover crime, including financial crime, its manifestations, trends and impacts. As a result of the project, the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences can more comprehensively assess threats affecting internal security in Estonia and the external environment, and carry out research and training activities in these fields for specialists and employees in the field of internal security.
The project is funded by the EU Internal Security Fund (ISF) measure 3.3 "Crime prevention and capacity building in the field of internal security through training". The amount of ISF funds allocated is 1 000 000 EUR.
Duration: 01.01.2024 – 31.12.2025
Contact: Tauno Suurkivi
Funding: European Commission
Project summary:
Civil protection systems in Europe are confronted with an increasing number and complexity of disasters and crises due to environmental degradation, global warming, demographic, and geopolitical changes. The availability of highly qualified human resources is critical for anticipating, preparing for, managing of and recovering from crises. Providing high-level training and education for disaster managers is therefore an essential prerequisite for effective disaster risk management. EUMA aims to reinforce and increase the capacity of individual staff members of civil protection authorities and disaster managers in the private sector. This will be achieved by establishing a network of universities and higher education institutes across Europe to develop and offer a tailor-made high-level postgraduate Master's degree programmes on disaster risk and crisis management. EUMA will complement existing university courses and foster cooperation within the Union Civil Protection Knowledge Network through a number of practical activities such as topical workshops, summer schools and dedicated scientific publications focusing on the European / international dimension of disaster risk management. Furthermore, the consortium will establish a feasibility study to map and analyse the relevant national high-level educational programmes for professionals that universities in Europe are currently offering. It will identify good practices, gaps and opportunities to improve educational offerings. It will share knowledge and advance preparedness for disaster managers and experts at the European level. EUMA will lay the most needed foundations for the definition of reference standards and benchmarks on the subject of disaster management. These standards and benchmarks could become the backbone of common approach to the education standards for disaster management professionals. The ultimate long-term strategic goal is to put university education for disaster managers on a broader footing.
Duration: 01.06.2025 – 31.05.2027
Contact: Raul Savimaa
Funding: The State Chancellery
Project summary:
The aim of this research is to examine and improve crisis preparedness among
Estonian population, with a focus on population groups with lower levels of
readiness.
Duration: 01.10.2025 – 30.09.2029
Contact: Aleksandra Mäesepp
Funding: European Commission
Project summary:
Increasing concerns about new threats related to a possible major accident on a nuclear power plant or a tactical nuclear explosion, linked with the war in Ukraine, impose to EU Countries to improve their current capabilities to prepare for and respond to these possible largescale accidents. The need for advanced technologies, interoperable risk assessment tools, and comprehensive emergency coordination strategies has never been more critical. GUARDIANS will deliver advanced, cost-effective technologies, and strategies to improve disaster emergency management in Europe. The project will enable the development of advanced radiological technologies (radioactive gas sensor, active dosimeter network), innovative and scalable strategies for triage (video analyses, digital triage), decontamination, and medical countermeasures (hydrogel, new strategy for stable iodine distribution). Autonomous means such as drones and robots equipped for radiological measurements and enhanced observation capabilities will increase overall responsiveness. A central web-platform
GUARDNET, built upon existing operational tools, will facilitate real-time information processing, synthesis, mission management, and simulation services, to support decision-making. The active participation of first responders/receivers and decision-makers, along with the execution of two field tests and the assessment of the alignment between population needs and authorities' response strategies will ensure that GUARDIANS produces a new and enhanced operational capability to respond effectively to a radiological or nuclear emergency. GUARDIANS will significantly enhance European Member States' ability by providing stakeholders with state-of-the-art capabilities, innovative technologies, and effective coordination strategies. This will accelerate the decision-making process, reduce intervention times, and mitigate human and environmental impacts through improved protection of populations and infrastructures.
