About CITADEL Open Call 1 The CITADEL Open Call 1 supports security-focused demonstration and pilot projects aimed at strengthening the protection and resilience of critical infrastructures, urban environments, and territories against physical, cyber, and hybrid threats. Projects must validate advanced digital security technologies in real or near-real operational environments, moving from TRL 5–6 to TRL 6–7+. Supported technologies include in particular: • Artificial Intelligence and data analytics (predictive analytics, anomaly detection, decision support, digital twins) • IoT and smart sensing systems (multi-sensor monitoring, edge AI, secure IoT architectures) • Photonics and optical systems (computer vision, advanced sensing, robotics perception) • Cybersecurity solutions (threat detection, secure data management, cyber resilience) • Secure communication and interoperable platforms for crisis coordination and emergency response Funding does not cover technology acquisition, but rather field validation, operational testing, performance measurement (KPIs), and integration within the security value chain to accelerate market uptake.

TOPIC 2.3.1 – 2026 (RIA) Agri-food Value Chain. “Empowering Mediterranean Food Value Chains through Context-Aware Digital Traceability” SUBMISSION DEADLINE STAGE 1: 15.05.2026 (13:00h Central European Time (CET). Only 10 pages document for the 1st stage. Expected contribution per project: at least 1M € Topic focused on the development of advanced digital traceability systems, adapted to the Mediterranean context, to improve: authenticity, sustainability, market access especially for small producers.

TOPIC: 2.2.1-2026 (RIA) FARMING SYSTEM: Novel remote and non-invasive ICT monitoring and control systems against disease and pest infestation TYPE OF ACTION: (RIA) Innovation and Action TOTAL INDICATIVE AMOUNT ALLOCATED FOR PROJECT: At least EUR 1 million SUBMISSION DEADLINE STAGE 1: 15.05.2026 (13:00h Central European Time (CET)) only 10 pages document. This topic focuses on the development and validation of digital solutions (ICT, AI, sensors, EO) for the early detection, monitoring, and management of agricultural pests and diseases, especially in Mediterranean contexts and on small farms. The approach is very clear: to move from reactive systems (pesticides) to predictive, accessible, and scalable models.

TOPIC:1.3.1-2026 (IA): Sustainable on-site transformation of perishable Mediterranean agri-products TYPE OF ACTION: (IA) Innovation and Action TOTAL INDICATIVE AMOUNT ALLOCATED TO THIS CALL: EUR 10.814 million OPENING DATE: 20.03.2026 SUBMISSION DEADLINE STAGE 1: 15.05.2026 (13:00h Central European Time (CET)) Reducing post-harvest losses and improving the capacity to retain value locally are critical priorities for strengthening climate resilience and economic sustainability in Mediterranean agri-food systems. In several parts of the region, losses of fresh and perishable products may reach 30–50%, largely due to climatic stress, insufficient storage, and limited access to appropriate processing infrastructure (FAO, 2019; MedECC, 2020) . This topic aims to support decentralised and renewable-powered on-site or near-site transformation solutions that extend shelf life, enhance product quality, and increase the share of added value retained within territories. By enabling resource-efficient, low-carbon, and socially inclusive value chain models, projects funded under this call will contribute to the objectives of the Vision on Agriculture and Food, the New Circular Economy Action Plan and the EU Bioeconomy Strategy, by enabling inclusive rural entrepreneurship, safeguarding agrobiodiversity, and increasing the added value retained within territories. while contributing to the decarbonisation goals of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II as amended by RED III) and the REPowerEU Plan.

Partner Search for Horizon Europe Call HORIZON CL5- 2026-11-D3-23 on AI Driven Data Sharing for the Energy Sector A company specializing in big data management and analysis, with a growing interest in AI-based applications for monitoring and optimizing energy networks, is approaching these applications with a strong focus on benchmarking innovative solutions. The company has proprietary software and a vast amount of data; it is seeking partners to expand a Common European Energy Data Space into a solution that enables transnational data integration for training and testing as part of the system lifecycle. This solution must guarantee robust privacy and security measures to achieve a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 7-8, as requested in the call for proposals, while maintaining data privacy and security throughout established supply chains and during the lifecycle of the resulting application. We are also seeking other international users with large amounts of data to provide a valid basis for validating this approach.