EARTO statement calls for dual approach to strengthening Europe's security

EARTO, the European Association of Research and Technology Organisations, published a statement on 'Strengthening Europe's Security: A Dual Approach for Civil & Defence Resilience' on 12 March 2025. In this paper, the association calls for a "well-funded civil security research programme" which "must exist alongside a robust defence research initiative". The two must be aligned strategically, reinforcing each other to enhance societal resilience, EARTO claims.

The statement was prepared by the EARTO Working Group Security & Defence Research. It welcomes the "whole-of-society" approach outlined in the Niinistö report “Safer Together - Strengthening Europe’s Civilian and Military Preparedness and Readiness” which emphasises preparedness, cooperation, and dual-use potential within a comprehensive security framework that actively involves civil actors, businesses, local communities, and citizens. EARTO sees the Niinistö report as complementary to the Draghi report on EU Competitiveness in this context.

Following the Niinistö report, EARTO Working Group Security & Defence Research presents some recommendations on strengthening Europe’s security:

1. In parallel to increasing its investments in its Defence capabilities, Europe needs to invest in further developing its civil security capabilities.
2. The EU and Member States should set up a Defending Europe Facility (DEF) and a Securing Europe Facility (SEF). The Securing Europe Facility should combine all instruments and programmes linked to civil security, civil protection, and other emergency response services, and related critical infrastructures. EARTO explicitly recommends that this should also include ring-fencing the necessary EU RD&I budget for security.
3. For the sake of effective and high-quality defence RD&I, a strong innovation pipeline from civil security RD&I to defence should be strengthened even further.
4. In parallel, Europe needs to further strengthen its dual-use capabilities and civil-military cooperation. EARTO regards this as also being in line with the Heitor report, which states that future EU RD&I funding should focus on optimising the benefits in both (civil and military) directions.

For more information:

EARTO statement: Strengthening Europe's Security: A Dual Approach for Civil & Defence Resilience