I527-290 ESRIF Final Report (WEB).indd - European Commission

1. Introduction
1.1 ESRIF’s tasks
The European Security Research and Innovation Forum (ESRIF) was
established in September 2007, based on a joint initiative of the
European Commission and the 27 EU Member States. Its plenary of 65
members from 32 countries includes independent representatives from
industry, public and private end-users, research establishments and
universities, as well as non-governmental organisations and EU bodies.
ESRIF was supported by more than 600 experts, thus making it the only
large-scale, high level initiative of its kind in Europe.
This report is the culmination of ESRIF’s work. While not exhaustive
–one cannot prepare for all eventualities – the document proposes a
European Security Research and Innovation Agenda (ESRIA) over the
next 20 years. The following chapters set out ESRIA’s context, content
and implementation and propose recommendations which will support
the development of European security.
To map out such a security research and innovation agenda, ESRIF was tasked to address:
Mid-term and long-term security perspectives (up to 20 years)
European, national and regional perspectives, building on previous eff orts (notably the 2004 and 2007 reports of the EU’s
Group of Personalities and the European Security Research Advisory Board, respectively)
Enhanced co-ordination with other institutions involved in security research and innovation
Societal and technological aspects of security research
Promotion of innovation as the foundation for a European security market that exploits economies of scale at European level
Guidance for all stakeholders who prepare security-relevant research programmes in Europe
1.2 ESRIF’s approach
Given the need for long-term foresight, ESRIF devised a set of context scenarios with a 2030 time horizon to frame how current
trends may combine to create alternative future ‘scenes.’ These scenarios embraced a range of risks, from natural to man-made
incidents, and were used to test – and identify – how short- and mid-term risks and challenges may evolve into long term ones.
Preparation is key to minimising their impact.
ESRIF took a holistic approach to security, taking the widest defi nition of security and examining how that can be achieved
regarding society itself and the freedoms we want to maintain or enhance. This approach has produced what ESRIF considers
to be an impetus for the future of security in Europe; a scientifi c technological and industrial base from which we can draw
the necessary equipment, technology and best practice to deliver security as well as a rigorous social engagement assuring
accountability for the use and acceptability of such solutions.
Many issues such as climate change, scarcity of raw materials, the impact of nano-technologies or the wider cyberspace
environment generate new risks but seldom lead to the radical removal of old ones. This increasing evolutionary complexity
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