Scope of the ESRIF approach

ESRIF’s scope builds upon and clearly goes beyond that of previous strategy groups like the Group of Personalities (GoP) for Security Research (advising the European Commission on European civil security research in general, in particular with a view to the Preparatory Action for Security Research (PASR; 2004-2006) or the European Security Research Advisory Board (ESRAB) (advising the European Commission on shaping the Security theme of the EU’s 7th Research Framework Programme (FP7) and providing concrete input for its first calls for proposals),

• in time, taking a mid and long term perspective (up to 20 years),
• not only focussing on research, but also innovation related issues and thus going closer to the market,
• not only addressing the European but also the national and sometimes regional level, the Joint Security Research and Innovation Strategy should provide valuable guidance for all interested players who prepare security research programmes in Europe.

ESRIF is an informal group, set up jointly and co-owned by its stakeholders from the demand and supply side of security technologies/solutions as well as from civil society: industry, public and private end-users, research establishments and universities, and non-governmental organisations (see also membership)

ESRIF members and contributors participate on a voluntary basis and cover their own expenses.

ESRIF’s role is consultative, there is no obligation for its stakeholders to follow the advice of ESRIF.

With this kind of approach ESRIF can overcome boundaries and limitations that a formal approach might not. ESRIF is the only large scale and high level attempt of this kind in Europe, and it is supported by the EU Member States, the participating FP7 Associated Countries and the European Commission.

ESRIF’s mandate is limited to advising on security research and innovation, it is not advising on security policy.