SPARKUP Project kick-off in Belgrade: Strengthening CBRNE Preparedness in Southern Central and Eastern Europe

The SPARKUP Project, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at enhancing Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) preparedness and response capabilities in the Southern Central and Eastern European (CEE) region, officially launched with a successful kick-off meeting in Belgrade on June 5–6, 2025. The event brought together consortium partners: Vinca Institute for Nuclear Sciences [Coordinator], Ludovika-University of Public Services, University of Criminal Investigation and Police Studies, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Core CBRN, Privanova, EX-ON Engineering Llc., International Security and Emergency Management Institute, ROHEALTH - Health and Bioeconomy Cluster, United Nations Institute for Training and Research, from Serbia, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, France, Slovakia, Romania, and Switzerland.

Addressing Regional and Global Security Challenges

In the face of increasing global security risks and regional geopolitical tensions, the SPARKUP Project is designed to improve CBRNE resilience through research and innovation. The project aims to create a robust knowledge ecosystem by linking academia, industry, public authorities, and first responders. By fostering cross-sectoral collaboration, SPARKUP enables the region to respond more effectively to complex emergencies and CBRNE threats.

Through targeted training, talent mobility, and secondments between academic and non-academic partners, SPARKUP supports the development of a new generation of highly skilled experts ready to confront current and future challenges.

Project Objectives

SPARKUP’s approach is centred around four key objectives that contribute to regional capacity-building and long-term sustainability:

• Enhance the entrepreneurial and leadership skills of ERA talents: A comprehensive training programme will foster interdisciplinary and practical skills, preparing researchers to lead innovation in the CBRNE field and beyond.
• Increase R&I capacities of academic partners: By promoting internal assessments, joint working groups, and infrastructure sharing, the project boosts academic institutions’ ability to participate in high-level European research.
• Establish the CBRNE Centre of Excellence at UCPS: The University of Criminal Investigation and Police Studies (UCPS) in Serbia will serve as a regional hub, supported by improved governance, infrastructure upgrades, and a new R&I Support Office.
• Maximise project impact, visibility, and sustainability: Through strategic communication, stakeholder engagement, and the creation of a CBRNE Cluster and Community of Experts, SPARKUP ensures the project’s outcomes continue to benefit the region and the wider European Research Area long after its completion.

The CBRNE Resilience Cluster Europe: A Collaborative Ecosystem

SPARKUP plays a pivotal role within the CBRNE Resilience Cluster Europe, an initiative coordinated by Privanova that aims to unify and coordinate European efforts in the CBRNE domain. The cluster brings together a diverse group of stakeholders, law enforcement agencies, emergency responders, policy makers, researchers, and technology providers.

Key cluster goals include:

• Hosting webinars and workshops to support knowledge exchange among cluster members.
• Aligning policy and operational recommendations for a unified EU approach.
• Exploring technical interoperability to enable real-time collaboration.
• Identifying joint research opportunities and pathways for exploitation and uptake.

Privanova’s Role

Privanova played a key role in shaping the SPARKUP project, leading proposal management efforts. As a key partner in SPARKUP, Privanova is responsible for leading Work Package 4: Global Outreach, Sustainability, and Exploitation. This includes designing and executing the Dissemination, Exploitation, and Communication (DEC) strategy, coordinating public engagement, and forging synergies with relevant EU initiatives and stakeholder networks. With extensive experience in leading Communication, Dissemination, and Exploitation efforts for EU-funded projects, Privanova brings a strategic and impact-oriented approach to SPARKUP.

Moreover, Privanova ensures legal and ethical compliance across the project by managing GDPR and Data Management Plans, Ethics Compliance, and the work of the project’s Ethics Advisory Board.

Building a Safer, Stronger Europe

The successful launch of SPARKUP marks a major milestone in strengthening CBRNE preparedness across Southern Central and Eastern Europe. By fostering collaboration between academia, industry, practitioners, and policy-makers, the project contributes to a more secure and resilient European Research Area. As SPARKUP moves forward, the consortium will continue to deliver on its ambitious objectives, helping to ensure that Europe remains at the forefront of research, innovation, and readiness in the face of evolving CBRNE threats.