EPSILON Group is in search for partners to work on HORIZON-CL3-2024-BM-01-03

Since 1990, the EPSILON Group (MT, GR, CY, IT, DE, BG) concluded 100+ EC/RTD projects. We have vast experience. For this topic we can assume Coordination and substantial contribution, because the topic is within our Core expertise. Our contribution can be: Data management & analytics, digital tools development.

Advanced user-friendly, compatible, secure identity and travel document management

TOPIC ID: HORIZON-CL3-2024-BM-01-03

Programme: Horizon Europe Framework Programme (HORIZON)
Call: Border Management 2024 (HORIZON-CL3-2024-BM-01)

ExpectedOutcome:
Projects’ results are expected to contribute to some or all of the following outcomes:

Improved capabilities to validate breeder and identity documents as well as ICAO Type 1 and Type 2 digitalised travel documents;
Improved compatibility among tools for verification of travel documents and identity, while guaranteeing not sharing (beyond what’s strictly necessary) or compromising personal data;
Enhanced integration with EU current or planned architecture(s) for digital identity frameworks;
Contribute to capabilities that strengthen the Schengen area, by providing security at its external borders that also reassure on maintaining the free movement within its borders.
Scope:
Authentication of documents is relevant for border management, immigration or visa applications. Furthermore, it could also be relevant to combat other illicit activities, such as financial fraud. Facilitation of travel across external EU borders went and is further going through remarkable developments thanks to subsequent technological generations, and updated procedures and regulatory frameworks. From automated border control gates to “no-gate” solutions, and to “seamless travel”; from secure documents, to digitalised travel documents, and to “dematerialised travel documents” and “digital wallets”. All to ease border crossing for travellers, while maintaining border security against illicit or irregular crossings and protecting fundamental rights. This topic aims at exploring and developing enhanced capabilities for securely managing digitalised travel documents used for travel across external borders.

The proposed solution should be compatible with planned or possible future EU highly digitalised travel documents formats and travel facilitation systems, and with applicable ICAO current and upcoming schemes. The proposed solutions should be compatible or interoperable with relevant existing digitalised travel documents systems. The proposed solutions should also respect fundamental rights such as privacy and protection of personal data, apply privacy by design of the application and use privacy-enhancing technologies.

The operational applicability focus should be on highly digitalised travel documents and “digital identity management” used for travel across external borders. However, the research should include enhancing the security of breeder documents, which risk being “weak links” when they are used to obtain genuine, secure travel documents.

The proposed solution should include techniques (including those to increase the robustness against attempts to falsify biometric data) to allow sharing of results from the tools, and share as few data used by the tool as possible to return those results (in order to increase data protection and minimize data leak risks). Leakage or compromising of personal data should be avoided in the transfer of tools or of their results.

Please, visit the following page to get more information regarding this call: https://www.developmentaid.org/grants/view/1050548/advanced-user-friendly-compatible-secure-identity-and-travel-document-management?useNavigation=true