Launch of the CITADEL project : towards a more resilient and secure Europe

To respond to the significant economic, environmental, and security challenges that Europe is facing, the European Commission has established the Euroclusters programme. The initiative aims to strengthen cooperation between European clusters, support the competitiveness of SMEs and accelerate ecological and digital transitions in strategic EU sectors.

Within this framework, 16 Eurocluster projects have been selected at a European level, with a combined budget of €42 million. The projects share the common goal of strengthening the resilience of European industrial ecosystems by promoting innovation, transnational collaboration, and the adoption of advanced technologies to serve European sovereignty. 

It is in this context that the CITADEL project was launched, an initiative dedicated to strengthening Europe’s security and resilience by leveraging ecological and digital transitions.

In an era of growing global uncertainty, characterised by hybrid threats, sophisticated cyberattacks and heightened climate-related risks, CITADEL seeks to stimulate innovation, promote transnational collaboration, and encourage the adoption of cutting-edge technologies to bolster the security and resilience of European systems and infrastructure.  

The CITADEL project consists of two main pillars:   

• Networking and collaboration : mapping existing solutions, organising matchmaking, sharing knowledge between SMEs, clusters and security stakeholders  
• Innovation and adoption : financial support for SMEs to integrate advanced digital tools to improve monitoring, threat detection, crisis response and resilience. 

One of CITADEL’s main pillars is a cascade financing mechanism designed to provide direct support to innovative SMEs. This scheme will enable them to: 

•  Develop and test their solutions 

• Collaborate with end users (local authorities, government bodies, security stakeholders)  

• Access new European markets 

• Strengthen their competitiveness on an international scale 

CITADEL’s approach actively contributes to the development of a more robust, innovative and interconnected European security ecosystem. 

The first CITADEL cascade funding call for proposals will be launched by AKTANTIS from 24 February 2026, with a closing date scheduled for early May. This call aims to support 17 SME-led projects to validate, through demonstrators, proofs of concept or prototypes of digital and photonic/optical solutions (AI / data analytics, IoT, cybersecurity, photonics, connectivity). These solutions must address security-related challenges, such as the protection of critical infrastructures, resilience to natural or technological disasters, and the security of urban spaces, across the entire value chain. 

Each selected project will be eligible for funding of 60 000 €, awarded to a consortium composed of a digital SME acting as solution provider and an end user. Funding will be exclusively allocated to SMEs. 

Information events and matchmaking activities will be organised from March 2026 onwards. Stakeholders are therefore encouraged to closely follow AKTANTIS news and communications in view of the launch of this call for proposals. 

Through this approach, CITADEL actively contributes to structuring a stronger, more innovative and interconnected European security ecosystem. 

The CITADEL project consortium comprises several recognised European clusters specialising in security, digital technology and innovation: AKTANTIS, SAFE Cluster, Systematic Paris-Région (France), L3CE (Lithuania), Cluj IT Cluster (Romania), Tampere Region Safety and Security Cluster (Finland)