Boosting CBRNE Innovation in Southern CEE: Building a Resilient Ecosystem through Fostering Academy-Industry Collaboration

Challenges

The Southern Central and Eastern European (CEE) region faces important challenges in using advanced CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive) technologies essential for public safety, environmental protection, and border control. Although the region has strong research capabilities, it still struggles with weak networks, limited cooperation, and slow use of new technologies. These challenges are worsened by broader issues such as political tensions, environmental problems, fragile infrastructure, and poor border security. In contrast, Western and Northern Europe benefit from better funding, stronger partnerships, and well-developed innovation systems, while Southern CEE countries often lack coordination and enough support to apply new technologies effectively.

Objectives

The GROUNDUP project aims to solve these challenges by building a strong support system for CBRNE technologies in the Southern CEE region. First, it will create a Business Community that brings together people and organisations from the CBRNE technology sector to encourage cooperation and share knowledge. Second, it will set up an Education and Research Hub to connect universities and research centres working on CBRNE topics. Third, the project will help young innovators by linking them with companies and offering mentoring to support their ideas. Finally, GROUNDUP will focus on sharing its results widely and creating networks to make sure its impact lasts in the region and across Europe.

Our role

In the GROUNDUP project, Privanova will lead key activities to ensure high impact, ethical standards, and long-term sustainability. As the leader of WP4 (Global Outreach, Sustainability, and Exploitation), Privanova will develop and implement a comprehensive Dissemination, Exploitation, and Communication (DEC) Plan, manage stakeholder engagement, coordinate public outreach, and build synergies with related EU-funded projects. These efforts will maximise the project’s visibility and value across the Southern CEE region and the EU. Additionally, under WP5, Privanova will lead the development of the Legal GDPR and Data Management Plan and ensure ethics compliance throughout the project. This includes applying FAIR data principles, GDPR requirements, and coordinating an independent Ethics Advisory Board to uphold responsible research and innovation.