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

ANNEX I
Terms of Reference (ToR)
for the establishment and operation of the
European Security Research and Innovation Forum
(ESRIF)
1. Mission and objectives
ESRIF contributes to supporting civil security policy making with the appropriate technology and
knowledge base by establishing and carrying forward a mid and long term Joint Security Research and
Innovation Agenda that involves all European stakeholders (both the supply and the demand sides). This
creates a common basis in the planning of research activities and their timely exploitation, particularly
through national and EU programmes. The role of ESRIF is solely consultative.
ESRIF assists the European security research sector in the mid and long term through:
strengthening and highlighting the importance of a public-private dialogue in the field of the European
security research and innovation by bringing together the demand and supply side of security
technologies, systems and services, showing new perspectives for the utilisation of technology,
accelerating the efforts of social and political sciences in relation to security research, and creating an
atmosphere of mutual trust and cooperation;
continuous analysis of the future capability needs of the security demand side in the light of existing
and future threats based on analysis of relevant impact factors of crime (i.e. terrorism) and of the supply
side capabilities to deliver the relevant technologies, systems and services, which in appropriate cases
should also lead to the definition of common user needs (both public and private), as challenges for
enhancing the EU technology and knowledge base;
and promoting the integration of the full technology, systems and services supply chains throughout
Europe (security research community; industry including SME; security demand side).
all the above will be addressed with due consideration of ethical issues, impacts on citizens' rights, and
social perceptions of technological and broader knowledge developments in this field.
2. Scope and approach
In designing and implementing its work, ESRIF will take into account the Commission Communication
COM(2007) 511 of September 11, “on Public-Private Dialogue in Security Research and Innovation”.
ESRIF will not cover the activities of FP7security research 1 ; its aim is to go towards meeting mid and long
term security RTD needs throughout the EU to be covered by national, EU and private investments.
ESRIF should contribute to increased transparency and joint planning of Security Research and Innovation
programmes / activities in Europe, with a view to enhanced co-operation while reducing the gap between
end user needs and available capabilities for responding to security threats in the most essential areas of
vulnerabilities for an increased protection of our societies, economies and of European citizens in general.
Through its operation ESRIF will contribute to promoting a Europe-wide single market for security
equipment, systems and services, while supporting interoperability, integration, and smooth cross-border
cooperation.
1 which was the scope of ESRAB
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