The emergence of large drone systems that can be integrated with intelligent coordination technology has enabled Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) concepts that are poised to revolutionize a broad range of domains including transport (including logistics), and climate adaptation. Nevertheless, despite commendable global initiatives, Southeast Europe is facing challenges and delays in adopting and implementing AAM. In this context, we introduce EUSOME with the mission to propel the AAM R&I ecosystem in this part of Europe, addressing specific regional challenges arising from its distinctive geographical characteristics. Evidently, the region would heavily benefit from the development and adoption of a transformative transportation solution that has the potential to eradicate traffic congestion and provide a transformative climate adaptation solution to a heavily stressed ecosystem. Nevertheless, the incorporation of AAM presents regulatory complexities and lacks a driving force in terms of R&I in AAM, partly due to the absence of a cohesive, open R&I infrastructure and adequate specialized mentoring programs. The proposed EUSOME Excellence Hub endeavors to tackle these challenges head-on, assuming a pivotal role in establishing AAM as an integral component of the transportation landscape in the region. The consortium consists of experts across the whole AAM spectrum, from cutting-edge research departments, aircraft manufacturing, civil aviation authorities, relevant public agencies, experts in translating research into innovation, and representatives of the public society. This partnership enables EUSOME to deliver a diversified open R&I infrastructure, covering all needs within the AAM spectrum, a regional masterplan for the adoption of EASA’s recommendations on AAM, and a comprehensive mentoring, training, and service provider program for entities (businesses, public agencies, etc.) desiring to enter the AAM domain.

Natural hazards, such as extreme weather events, are exacerbated by climate change. As a result, emergency responses are becoming more protracted, expensive, frequent, and stretching limited available resources. This is especially apparent in rapidly warming regions. MedEWSa addresses these challenges by providing novel solutions to ensure timely, precise, and actionable impact and finance forecasting, and early warning systems (EWS) that support the rapid deployment of first responders to vulnerable areas. Specifically, MedEWSa will deliver a sophisticated, comprehensive, and innovative pan-European–Mediterranean–African solution comprising a range of complementary services. Building on existing tools MedEWSa will develop a fully integrated impact-based multi-hazard EWS. This call contained five expected outcomes, all of which will be specifically addressed by MedEWSa. Led by JLU, MedEWSa will be an exemplar of the UN Secretary General’s March 2022 call to ensure that everyone on Earth is protected from extreme weather and climate-related hazards by EWS within the next five years. Through eight carefully selected pilot sites (areas in Europe, the southern Mediterranean, and Africa with a history of being impacted by natural hazards and extreme events with cascading effects), four twins will be created: ● Twin #1: Greece (Attica) – Ethiopia (National Parks): wildfires and extreme weather events (droughts, wind) ● Twin #2: Italy (Venice) – Egypt (Alexandria / Nile Delta): coastal floods and storm surges ● Twin #3: Slovakia (Kosice) – Georgia (Tbilisi): floods and landslides ● Twin #4: Spain (Catalonia) – Sweden (countrywide): heatwaves, droughts and wildfires. The twins will bridge areas with different climatic/physiographic conditions, yet subject to similar hazards, and are well positioned to deliver long-term bi-directional knowledge transfer. They will demonstrate the transferability and versatility of the tools developed in MedEWSa.

The frequency and intensity of climate and weather extremes associated with anthropogenic climate change are increasing and will challenge us in terms of adaptation strategies at the local level. The project “Climate Resilient Development Pathways in Metropolitan Regions of Europe (CARMINE)” bridges the local and regional scales by providing impact-based decision support services and multi-level climate governance supporting local adaptation, including both traditional and Nature-Based Solutions. CARMINE’s overarching goal is to help the metropolitan communities of Europe become more climate resilient, by co-producing knowledge-based tools, strategies, and plans for enhanced adaptation and mitigation actions in line with the Charter of the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change by 2030. To achieve this goal, focusing on the 2030-2035 timeframe and with longer perspectives up to 2050, CARMINE proposes an interdisciplinary approach aiming at (1) co-creation and co-development of decision-support services and guidelines for enhanced resilience and adaptive capacity, including early warning and disaster risk management systems; (2) cooperating closely with local to regional communities (stakeholders and users), decision-, and policy-makers (local authorities) to co-develop cross-sectoral frameworks for adaptation and mitigation actions; (3) delivering science-based R&I roadmaps for multi-level climate governance supporting local adaptation assessments and plans. The CARMINE methodology will be implemented in eight selected Case Study Areas to demonstrate proof of concept and project methodology will be demonstrated through the digital replication of climate and socio-economic characteristics of each area. The co-created knowledge and transferable development pathways from CARMINE will be shared widely via project networks in order to drive adaptation in other metropolitan regions of Europe, and beyond.

PHOENi²X aims to design, develop, and deliver a Cyber Resilience Framework providing Artificial Intelligence (AI) - assisted orchestration, automation & response capabilities for business continuity and recovery, incident response, and information exchange, tailored to the needs of Operators of Essential Services (OES) and of the EU Member State (MS) National Authorities entrusted with cybersecurity. Through the deployment PHOENi²X Cyber Resilience Centres (PHOENi²X CRCs), OES will gain: (i) enhanced Situational Awareness with AI-assisted Prediction, Prevention, Detection & Response capabilities, and business risk impact assessment-based prioritisation; (ii) proactive and reactive Resilience Automation, Orchestration, and Response (ROAR) mechanisms, providing Business Continuity, Recover and Cyber & Physical Incident Response; (iii) Increased Preparedness through relevant Serious Games and realistic Resilience Cyber Range (RCR) Assessment & Training; (iv) timely and actionable Information Exchange between OES, National Authorities and EU actors, leveraging interoperable and standardised alerting and reporting mechanisms and processes.

NEPTUNE – Next-generation European Protection and Technology for Undersea critical infrastructure Network Enhancement – addresses the urgent need for a coordinated European research and innovation road map for submarine cable infrastructures. These cables form the backbone of Europe’s digital and energy connectivity, but face rising risks from technical failures, natural hazards, and intentional attacks, while governance and Research & Innovation remain fragmented across Member States. NEPTUNE will deliver comprehensive Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda - a Roadmap that defines key R&I priorities, investment needs, and governance mechanisms to enhance the resilience, security, and sustainability of submarine cables. It will cover all relevant domains, including construction, operation, maintenance, and repair, and align with the resilience cycle of the EU Action Plan for Cable Security (Prevent, Detect, Respond & Repair, Deter). NEPTUNE will map and assess critical hardware and software components, define R&I activities with investment scenarios, and develop resilience and preparedness frameworks. It will also provide policy recommendations, guidance for NIS2 and CER implementation, and a skills and training agenda to build future capacity. By integrating sustainability considerations, the project will promote environmentally responsible and climate-resilient infrastructures in line with the European Green Deal. Through its roadmap, NEPTUNE will strengthen cross-border collaboration between authorities, operators, and industry, improve governance coordination, and establish European leadership in submarine cable technologies. The consortium partners combines methodological excellence, operational insight, and policy relevance with strong industry linkages. Designed to be compact and agile, it ensures neutrality toward competing technologies while remaining deeply embedded in industry networks through operators, ministries, and pan-European organisations.