(by PT – Nikos Avgerinos)

On April 1st, 2025, the European Commission unveiled the ProtectEU Internal Security Strategy, charting a clear path for a stronger and more coordinated approach to internal security across the EU. Against a backdrop of complex threats — from organised crime and terrorism to hybrid and cyber attacks — the strategy sets out a robust, forward-looking vision to protect citizens, uphold the rule of law, and secure Europe’s open societies.

At the heart of this new framework is a strong message: Europe must build resilience and anticipate threats before they escalate. This message resonates deeply with the goals and work of the TRACY project.

A Snapshot of the ProtectEU Strategy

ProtectEU lays out four strategic priorities for 2025 and beyond:

• Fighting organised crime through enhanced cooperation and information exchange.
• Preventing and countering terrorism and radicalisation, especially through early detection and disengagement tools.
• Strengthening border management and resilience against hybrid threats.
• Enhancing innovation, research, and partnerships to support frontline actors.

These priorities are interlinked and ambitious — and they call for bold, practical solutions grounded in real operational needs.

How TRACY Advances the Goals of ProtectEU

As a Horizon Europe innovation action, TRACY is designed to enhance the capabilities of first-line practitioners (such as law enforcement and local authorities) in understanding and addressing complex security challenges linked to radicalisation and polarisation.

Here’s how TRACY contributes directly to the core pillars of ProtectEU:

1. Cross-Sectoral Collaboration and Coordination

One of TRACY’s foundational principles is co-creation: developing solutions in direct partnership with those who will use them. TRACY brings together law enforcement, researchers, civil society organisations, and public authorities, aligning with ProtectEU’s call for shared responsibility and transnational cooperation in safeguarding internal security.

2. Innovation that Serves Operational Needs

Rather than developing technology for its own sake, TRACY focuses on usable, real-world tools — such as dashboards and alerting systems — that can be integrated into everyday workflows. This aligns with ProtectEU’s commitment to leveraging research and innovation to empower those on the front lines of security.

Bridging Strategy and Practice

TRACY exemplifies how EU-funded projects act as bridges between policy and practice. While ProtectEU sets the vision, TRACY demonstrates what it means to implement that vision on the ground. From enabling collaborative threat assessments to supporting informed decision-making, TRACY is helping shape a security ecosystem that is smarter, more agile, and more resilient.

What’s Next?

As TRACY moves toward its final phase, the project continues to engage stakeholders across Europe — sharing results, testing tools, and promoting a culture of shared vigilance and informed action. In parallel, ProtectEU will guide the EU’s internal security agenda in the years ahead.

The two are not just aligned in intent — they are part of the same movement: a proactive, coordinated, and values-based approach to protecting European societies.