CDE4Peace will explore the potential of Concept Development and Experimentation (CDE) for enhancing the EU’s conflict prevention and peace-building policy. CDE is seen as a promising tool for the transformation of complex security systems - especially in NATO context - but its potential for EU policies hasn’t yet been investigated. The project therefore will assess the applicability and compatibility of the CDE methodology and tools with strategic and operational concepts in the area of EU conflict prevention and peace-building (CPPB). Furthermore, the project will introduce and adapt CDE to EU CPPB by defining the requirements for an innovative CDE tool tailored for this specific policy area. Finally, the project will define actionable policy recommendations for implementing the CDE methodology and tools in the complex EU policy-making process. The project will employ an interdisciplinary methodology for applied policy research which links qualitative research methods from Conflict and Peace studies with quantitative CDE tools. This innovative research methodology follows a four-phase operational logic: 1) Concept review and quantification; 2) Technology assessment of CDE tools; 3) Definition of requirements for an innovative CDE tool; and 4) Policy recommendations for integrating the CDE methodology in the EU decision-making. The project will clearly contribute to the European Research Area by linking the academic and policy analysis on EU conflict prevention and peace-building with experimental research and CDE in particular. As a Marie Skłodowska-Curie action, it will also enhance the potential of the experienced researcher by a carefully-designed international and intersectoral mobility. In general, the project’s research and innovation objectives are highly relevant for the current developments in the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) which forms the political framework of EU conflict prevention and peace-building.