Externally funded research and development projects
Duration: 01.12.2025 – 31.08.2029
Contact: Jaanika Puusalu
Funding: European Commission / Ministry of the Interior
Project summary:
The deteriorating security situation in Europe, the continuing threat of terrorism, and the growing interest in the use of nuclear energy point to a growing need to increase national CBRN capabilities in Estonia. The aim of the project is to respond to this need and to create CBRN capabilities at the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences for development activities, teaching activities including practical training and exercises, and research activities. The project will involve teaching and research: regular seminars, training and further training will be organised, participation in CBRN networks and working groups will be carried out, and the results of the research will be presented both in Estonia and internationally.
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 EUR 573,568.
Read more about the project here.
Duration: 14.10.2022 – 13.10.2026
Contact: Indrek Saar
Funding: European Commission
Project summary:
During the Globalization, Illicit Trade, Sustainability and Security (GLITSS) COST Action, three working groups are established, focusing on the phenomena of illicit trade (the smuggling and trafficking of goods and money), the platforms behind it (norms, actors and regulations) and the responses to it (enforcement, alternative measures and legalisation).
GLITSS creates an interdisciplinary research network characterised by the inclusiveness and epistemological diversity that defines the research field today. The objectives of the Action 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.
Read more about the project here.
Duration: 01.01.2023 – 31.08.2029
Contact: Jaanika Puusalu
Funding: European Commission / Ministry of the Interior
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.
Read more about the project here.
Duration: 01.01.2024 – 31.12.2025
Contact: Tauno Suurkivi
Funding: European Commission
Project summary:
Providing high-level training and education for disaster managers is 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.
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.
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.
Read more about the project here.
Duration: 01.06.2025 – 31.05.2027
Contact: Raul Savimaa
Funding: Government Office
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. The study addresses two key research questions:
1) What are the potential coping strategies of people living in high-density apartment areas, including the elderly and non-native Estonian speakers, during multi-day interruptions of essential services?
2) What collaboration models and interventions could enhance the ability of these groups to cope with multi-day interruptions of essential services?
The results will inform the development and testing of evidence-based interventions. By the conclusion of the project, recommendations for improving Estonia's crisis preparedness will be formulated, and at least one scientific publication will be produced to support policy-making and advance knowledge in the field. The research emphasises the need to enhance individual and community preparedness to ensure Estonia is better equipped to handle crises.
Read more about the project here.
Duration: 01.10.2025 – 30.09.2029
Contact: Aleksandra Mäesepp
Funding: European Commission
Project summary:
The GUARDIANS project 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.
GUARDIANS produces a new and enhanced operational capability to respond effectively to a radiological or nuclear emergency. This will accelerate the decision-making process, reduce intervention times, and mitigate human and environmental impacts through improved protection of populations and infrastructures.
Read more about the project: www.he-guardians.eu
GUARDIANS first Tabletop exercise: A major milestone in nuclear crisis management
Duration: 01.10.2025 – 30.09.2029
Contact: Martti Reinet
Funding: European Commission
Project summary:
The aim of the project is to develop and empirically test simulation solutions supported by a science communication implementation model. The solutions combine crisis scenarios, interactive learning, research-based feedback and the collection of research data.
The simulation solutions support the development of crisis awareness among the general population by providing an accessible way to practice assessing crisis-related information and to improve knowledge through feedback. For internal security personnel, the solutions support in-service training, decision-making practice and competence development.
At the same time, the simulations provide researchers with an opportunity to study how people understand crisis information, assess information sources and make decisions in crisis situations.
Empirically tested simulation solutions will be developed for three expert-designed crisis scenarios: a nuclear and radiological emergency, an air raid, and CBRN terrorism, combining decision points, research data collection and research-based feedback. The simulations will also be used to test a target-group-specific science communication implementation model covering participant recruitment, dissemination channels, participation invitations, feedback and the communication of research results. An impact assessment framework will be developed to evaluate target-group reach, simulation use and measurable learning outcomes, with the findings used to refine the solutions and formulate evidence-based recommendations for crisis education and in-service training. Implementation guidelines will support the repeated use of the simulation solutions and science communication model, while their potential for international transferability will be assessed with partners of the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences.
The project is co-funded by the European Commission Cohesion Fund. The amount of funds allocated is EUR 75,727.54.