SPARKUP proposal is motivated by the pressing need to address the increasing risks posed by CBRNE threats, particularly in the Southern CEE region. This region faces unique challenges due to its proximity to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and other geopolitical instabilities. The urgency to strengthen the region's preparedness and response capabilities is paramount, necessitating a robust approach to research and innovation in the field. SPARKUP seeks to bridge gaps in the European Research Area (ERA) by enhancing the interoperability of careers across academic and non-academic sectors, thereby improving the employability of R&I talents. By fostering greater collaboration and knowledge exchange SPARKUP aims to create a more dynamic and integrated research ecosystem. By enhancing career prospects SPARKUP not only contributes to the retention of top talents within Europe but also ensures that researchers are better equipped to address the complex challenges posed by CBRNE threats. The project aims to deliver a strategy that includes a targeted upskilling programme designed to equip researchers and innovators with the necessary skills to excel in their careers. This approach not only boosts employability but also ensures that the next generation of CBRNE experts is capable of responding effectively to the specific risks faced by the Southern CEE region. The project is structured around three main pillars: (1) Comprehensive talent development and circulation activities will be launched to swiftly force collaborations of academic and non-academic sector. (2) The project will establish the groundwork for sustainable talent management and R&I capabilities within the region's leading CBRNE academies through organized knowledge transfers and shared infrastructure. (3) A Center of Excellence will be established at UCPS, positioning it as a flagship institution in the Southern CEE region for talent development, R&I support, and cross-sectoral knowledge exchange.

The severity of natural disasters significantly affects the environment causing extensive damage. The Western Balkan (WB) countries are exposed to a variety of natural hazards including floods, droughts, forest fires, earthquakes, and landslides. The general situation in WB countries is inadequate professional qualification and technological disciplines for education of human resources, the lack of specialized personnel, insufficient training of professional staff, the lack or low level of local government bodies’ preparedness, and underdeveloped culture of prevention among citizens. Therefore, it is necessary to constantly strengthen the personnel competencies, followed by technical innovations and equipment, infrastructure, information and technological systems. The main objective of this project is to educate experts for Natural Disasters Risk Management (NDRM) in WB partner countries (Serbia, Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina) through development and implementation of new master curricula in the field of NDRM and development of educational trainings for the public sector and citizens. Besides the day-by-day visible outcomes (reports, analyses, study visits, trainings, plans, etc.), more prominent outputs showing to what extent the project objectives are met will be:- Developed/modernized master curricula in WB partner HEIs in accordance with the highest EU standards and national legislation, followed by accreditation;- Contemporary equipped laboratories for studies in the field of NDRM;- Enrollment of students to the new master curricula offering mobility options for them and teaching staff;-Developed and conducted educational trainings for citizens and public sector in the field of NDRM.Since the background for the foreseen activities is in accordance with EU standards and best practices it is expected that all partner universities will educate experts with adequate knowledge and competences, which will be able to employ in relevant institutions for NDRM.Project consortium consists of five HEIs from programme countries and seven HEIs from WB partner countries. Institutions from EU countries are: University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU, Austria), Middlesex University (MUHEC, UK), Obuda University (OE, Hungary), Technical University of Crete (TUC, Greece) and University of Messina (UNIME, Italy). These institutions were purposively selected for their great experience in the field of NDRM and contemporary teaching and learning methods applied in the education. They will present to WB HEIs their master curricula and provide training for staff and students. Partner country institutions come from Western Balkan region: three HEIs from Serbia (University of Nis – UNI as a coordinator institution, University of Defence - UNID, University of Criminal Investigation and Police Studies – KPU), two from Bosnia and Herzegovina (University of Sarajevo – UNSA, University of Banja Luka – UBL) and two from Kosovo (University of Pristina settled in Kosovska Mitrovica – UPKM, Technical College of Applied Sciences Urosevac with temporary seat in Leposavic - TCASU). They will accredit new master curricula and implement educational trainings for citizens and public sector in the field of NDRM.The project is aligned with the Regional Priorities for Joint & Structural Projects (Erasmus+ KA2 – Capacity Building in Higher Education) for the Region 1 (Western Balkan) and is related to the “Learning and teaching tools, methodologies and pedagogical approaches including learning outcomes and ICT-based practices (inter alia, flexible learning paths, blended courses, virtual and real mobility, practical placements etc.)“ and area „Environmental protection“.

Basic idea of the project is that the academic education capacity in the countries in the process of joining the EU should be improved in order to meet new needs and challenges in Europe. The project can contribute to this by means of enhancing the capacity building in the field of academic and professional education in the area of Safety & Security (S&S).The ImprESS project intends to improve this in the following way: by means of strategic partnership in will set up the model for improving the educational capacity in the area of ’’sector skill alliance’’ for Safety & Security. Based on this model a sample educational infrastructure (curriculum, modules, courses, academic and para-academic educational activities) will be established and implemented in Serbia. The infrastructure will be used to improve the current educational capacity of the project participating universities in Serbia. The improved capacities together with those at the supporting EU academic education institutes will be integrated into Regional Center for Training & Education in area of Safety & Security (TESS). The Center will integrate also the particular high speed/ high-capacity computer support for the simulation exercises, needed for the advanced training and it will include the most advanced techniques & technologies in the area of S&S. The project will have impact not only onto the educational infrastructure in Serbia, but also onto the overall safety/security situation and infrastructures ensuring it. It will be achieved primarily by: a) alignment with the EU practices and b) including the most advanced state-of-the-art studies.On the other hand the project will have an impact on the EU side, too: the participating European Institutions will have the unique opportunity to has the first-hand experience with safety & security education-related issues in the countries beyond the EU-borders. This will happen with the active support from the project participating European universities.

The SALVUS (Ensuring SAfer justice outcomes in onLine and undercoVer child sexUal abuse inveStigations) Project seeks to address the current gaps in knowledge, best practice and legislative frameworks in relation to online, including undercover, CSA investigations and build on this and existing knowledge to develop a holistic suite of innovative, recommendations, best practice guidance and training to remedy regional and national shortcomings. This approach will explore how to harmonise European Law and enable a uniformity of practice for the collection of evidence in CSA online, including undercover investigations, in line with European values and fundamental rights. The European harmonisation of legal approaches and standardisation of best practice for the collection of evidence will ultimately enhance sharing of legally obtained evidence across member states, reducing the reliance on national standards of evidence admissibility and will compliment and strengthen the EU’s approach and strategy for challenging and prosecuting CSA crimes and the new Regulation on production and preservation orders for e-evidence.The over-arching aim of the SALVUS project is to provide research-based knowledge and understanding of CSA online and undercover investigations and their relationship to obligations to ensure the legality of evidence collection, developed from a child-centred and human rights core. The project’s outputs will help responsible agencies to develop regional legislative frameworks for the collection of evidence in these cases and provide a European Guidance of best practice in CSA investigations for the collection of evidence in online and undercover cases; aiding law enforcement authorities, forensic institutes, and policy/law-makers to ensure safer justice outcomes.