The project IMPACT-SC5 aims to assess the impacts of the 87 funded RIAs and IAs, through a multilevel analysis, starting at project (participant) level, via portfolio, network and context analyses. It applies a rigorous methodology that enables to capture the various (intended and unintended) impacts of projects and groups of projects. Horizon 2020 contributes, via its focus on ‘Societal Challenges’ (SCs), to the ongoing paradigm change in Research and Innovation Policy. The pursued objectives are not only to generate economic growth and jobs, but to help resolve pressing socio-economic challenges, including those related to climate, environment, resource efficiency, and raw materials (SC5). The challenge orientation of H2020 implies monitoring the progress of the projects towards the achievement of the targeted objectives and impacts. The scientific, economic and societal/environmental performance of the 87 RIA and IA projects under the SC5 Work Programme 2014-15 will be measured by means of an extensive set of indicators. A portfolio analysis will complement the project-level analysis in order to determine how projects perform together in relation to different objectives. IMPACT-SC5 explores impact pathways to identify good practices and draw recommendations for policymakers and potential EU research funding beneficiaries to increase the impacts of future SC5 projects. Particular attention is paid to the broad and changing policy contexts to ensure a holistic approach for a better understanding of the performance (and the underlying factors) of the 87 projects. Throughout the project, stakeholder engagement will be strongly fostered. The methodology and findings (including the recommendation) will be validated with high-level experts and practitioners who will also be channels for dissemination. The methodology will be made available to the European Commission for its use in the ex-post evaluation of H2020 or future evaluation exercises.

Our reliance on depleting fossil fuel reserves for energy, carbon feedstock, and chemicals poses significant threats to both our energy security and the environment. In response, there is a growing interest in seeking alternative, eco-friendly, and sustainable resources. Thus, international agreements and sustainable development goals set by the European Union and United Nations underscore the urgent need for a transition to a fossil fuel-independent and diversified carbon and energy economy. The MERGE project is dedicated to the valorisation of renewable carbon feedstocks ¬that do not compete with food and land resources–such as waste lignocellulose biomass derivatives. This valorisation is achieved through electro- or photo-catalytic reforming processes, resulting in the production of industrially essential chemicals and fuels. To address this challenge, MERGE project is focused on the development of environmentally friendly, recyclable, low-cost, and efficient cooperative and tailored single-atom catalysts. This endeavour leverages knowledge transfer between the research unit in Czechia and the top-class partners of the consortium. The ultimate goal of MERGE project is to cultivate a culture of excellence in research, strategy, management, and technology transfer to the widening-country partner. At the same time, MERGE will position the widening-country partner and all Twinning Partners as prominent contributors in the European landscape in the field of advanced and sustainable catalysts for green and technologically important chemicals, via a committed and deep alliance towards excellence, permeating all facets of research.

ORBIS aims to deliver a market-fit AI-powered mature and cost-effective solution that integrates constellations of satellites with autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to achieve advanced secure real-time surveillance and fast search and rescue over vast maritime areas where illegal migrant activity could take place. To achieve that, ORBIS’ SMEs will collaborate closely to go beyond the current boundaries of knowledge and technology by: (i) integrating Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites, optical Very High Resolution (VHR) satellites, and thermal infrared sources to achieve a continuous, high-accuracy monitoring system; (ii) leveraging advanced autonomous cost-effective UAVs and push their limits in terms of autonomy and sensing to support maritime border management applications, able to deal with extreme and diverse weather and sea conditions; (iii) exploiting cutting-edge Machine Learning (ML) models to anticipate potential threats in high-risk zones and optimise the surveillance UAV flight plans, making the most out of available flight time and sea area coverage; and (iv) fusing effectively the massive multi-modal data gathered during operation and train distributed ML models for real-time decision making that will ensure faster search and rescue of migration incidents. ORBIS will address early on key market, regulatory, ethical and security requirements towards accelerating access to the civil security market, while engaging with other EU SMEs and key market actors, following a clear innovation management strategy. Finally, ORBIS will document best practices and lessons learnt in clear replicable steps, acting as a successful case study that paves the way for others small innovators to in their go-to-market strategy. Regulatory and policy recommendations will also be elaborated as signposts for facilitating access to the civil security market, aligned with EU security policy priorities.

The COLOSSUS project presents an integrated solution for digital security, resilience, and maintenance of port infrastructures, providing real-time data access from autonomous vehicles and sensors. Developed in response to the increasing demand for maritime security, COLOSSUS aims to revolutionize the protection of EU maritime infrastructures, aligning with the updated EU Maritime Security Strategy (EUMSS 2023). By bringing together Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) from various Member States, the project leverages their innovation potential to tackle key challenges outlined in the EU’s Blue Growth strategy and the European Green Deal. The advanced COLOSSUS solutions will be demonstrated in an operational environment (integrated pilot system level) for iterative performance evaluation and validation. Starting with stress testing in a laboratory setting, the project will move towards real-world operational conditions in ports. Defined use cases will enable operational evaluation and validation across diverse scenarios at the Arsenal do Alfeite (AASA) naval base in Portugal. The Integrated Perimeter Surveillance for intrusion detection system will implement a layered approach to secure critical maritime and onshore infrastructure. This use case will test autonomous Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs – UOPV model provided by TV), Aerial Vehicles (UAVs – provided by TV and UNINOVA), and Ground Vehicles (UGVs) to establish a continuous perimeter defense across air, land, and water. These autonomous systems will patrol designated areas, providing live visual and sensor-based surveillance to detect and assess potential threats. This multifaceted surveillance approach will test the system's efficiency in detecting unauthorized activities, enhancing the port's overall security.