Unlocking the Value of EU Security Research: The LEA Projects Cluster Approach

Written by Privanova

EU-funded security research generates significant knowledge and technological innovation. However, its impact often remains limited due to fragmentation across projects, timelines, and thematic areas. As a result, valuable insights do not always translate into coordinated action, operational uptake, or EU policy development.

The LEA Projects Cluster, led by Privanova, was established to address this structural challenge by creating a coordinated environment where project results are not only generated, but also connected, consolidated, and translated into impactful outcomes. The initiative currently brings together more than 51 EU-funded security research and innovation projects to strengthen Europe’s collective capacity to address emerging security challenges. It allows results to move beyond individual project boundaries and contributes to a more coherent and coordinated European security research landscape. The Cluster enables structured collaboration across projects, supporting knowledge exchange, alignment of activities, and the transformation of research results into coordinated outputs with policy and operational relevance.

Strengthening the link between research and policy is a key priority of the Cluster. It aligns project outcomes with EU security priorities and law enforcement needs and supports the development of structured recommendations. These efforts contribute to more informed, evidence-based discussions at EU level and support engagement with institutional stakeholders such as Interpol, Europol and DG Home. This also translates to an increased visibility of EU-funded projects and creates opportunities for cooperation across the security ecosystem.

As EU security challenges evolve, it becomes increasingly important to connect, reuse, and apply research results. The LEA Projects Cluster supports the link between research, policy, and practice by providing a structured framework for collaboration and integration across the European security research landscape.

Would you like to take part in future Cluster initiatives? If your organisation coordinates or participates in an EU-funded security research project and would like to learn more about the LEA Projects Cluster or explore opportunities for collaboration, please don’t hesitate to contact Kristina Isakzay, Cluster Coordinator at Privanova – kristina.isakzay@privanova.com.

To explore the Cluster’s initiatives, activities, and strategic direction in more detail, download the LEA Projects Cluster Overview Presentation.